Establishing a meaningful interest in an area of law is critical for law students who want to stand out in a competitive job market. While many students rely on their coursework and academic credentials to show interest in a field, these steps alone often fail to set them apart.
To demonstrate commitment and build a foundation for a career in an area of law, you must go beyond passive achievements like earning a “concentration” designation. Instead, focus on tangible, action-oriented activities that signal genuine interest and readiness to contribute to the practice. The following strategies will help you establish yourself as a serious professional in any legal field.
Few activities signal a serious commitment to a practice area more effectively than publishing. Writing is an invaluable tool for showcasing analytical skills, subject matter knowledge, and intellectual curiosity. For example, writing a law review article on a complex topic in business law—such as corporate governance or mergers and acquisitions—can demonstrate a deep understanding of the field. Even shorter pieces, such as bar journal articles or blog posts, can significantly impact how others in the field view your expertise. Writing forces students and newer lawyers to grapple with real-world issues and legal doctrine, creating a portfolio of work you can share with potential employers. And know that writing law review or bar journal articles is not just for those students on law review. Anyone willing and able to write a significant piece will likely find a place for its publication.
But writing is only the first step. The true value comes from requesting and accepting feedback. By seeking out experienced attorneys, judges, and professors for critiques, you gain invaluable insights into your work while building relationships with potential mentors. Feedback doesn’t just improve the quality of writing; it also signals to the reviewer that you are serious about developing your expertise and establishing a name in the field. You should embrace this opportunity to learn and grow while simultaneously expanding your professional network.
Networking is an overused and often dreaded buzzword in law school, but that’s because it is widely misunderstood. True networking is not about attending events and collecting business cards; it’s about forming genuine, reciprocal connections. As a law student, you have unparalleled access to attorneys, judges, and professors willing to mentor you during this formative stage of your career. This access diminishes quickly after graduation, as the professional world often assumes that new attorneys are fully equipped to navigate their careers independently—a perception that is usually far from reality.
Attending meaningful CLEs, bar association meetings, ABA section events, and career-related law school events will allow you to meet practitioners in your chosen field. These events also allow you to learn about cutting-edge developments and discuss those insights with others.
Conversations that begin with a thoughtful question or a genuine compliment about a speaker’s presentation often lead to ongoing professional relationships. Following up after events with personalized thank-you notes or requests for further discussion stands out in the minds of practitioners, many of whom are eager to help the next generation of lawyers.
Pro bono work is another powerful way to demonstrate a commitment to a field of law. While traditional pro bono activities often focus on family law or criminal defense, many opportunities exist for students interested in, for example, business law to assist small businesses, startups, and nonprofits with their legal needs. You might help draft bylaws for a local nonprofit or advise a startup on entity formation under the supervision of an attorney. These experiences allow you to develop practical skills and show employers that you are willing to use your legal knowledge to make a difference. The key is to get creative and work to find opportunities meaningful to your chosen career path.
Internships, externships, and clinical work with government agencies, corporate legal departments, boutique firms, and nonprofit organizations offer additional opportunities for hands-on experience. These positions allow you to work on real cases, conduct research, and observe how seasoned attorneys approach complex legal problems. By engaging in these activities, you will deepen your understanding of the law and create tangible proof of your abilities to include on your resume.
Law school “concentrations” often promise to signal your expertise in a particular area of law. However, unless the school is nationally renowned for a particular program, these designations often carry little weight with hiring managers. At best, they demonstrate that you have taken relevant courses—a baseline expectation rather than a standout achievement.
Instead of relying on a concentration to prove interest, take ownership of your education by pursuing directed readings, independent studies, or even self-designed research projects. For instance, if you are interested in securities regulation, you might work with a professor to develop a semester-long project analyzing recent SEC enforcement actions. These projects demonstrate initiative and provide substantive talking points during interviews.
Participation in moot court competitions focused on topics of interest is another excellent way to showcase commitment and skill. These competitions will challenge you to craft persuasive arguments, master intricate legal doctrines, and think on your feet—all traits that employers value. Many field-specific competitions, such as those focusing on transactional law or international arbitration, allow you to apply your knowledge in practical, high-stakes settings.
Moreover, competitions often include networking opportunities with practicing attorneys who serve as judges or coaches. Excelling in these settings leaves a lasting impression on those who might later serve as references or hiring decision-makers.
Do not rely on generic cover letters and resumes that list coursework and extracurriculars when applying for internships, clerkships, or post-graduate positions. This approach fails to stand out and make an impression. Instead, craft application materials that show, rather than tell, your interest in your chosen field. For example, a resume highlighting pro bono projects for small businesses, a moot court competition in corporate governance, and a published article on securities fraud will be far more persuasive than one listing a concentration in business law.
Cover letters should be similarly tailored. Rather than stating, “I am interested in business law,” you might write: “My experience assisting a nonprofit with entity formation and my recent article on shareholder rights reflect my deep interest in business law. I would welcome the opportunity to bring this passion and experience to your firm.” Specific, action-oriented statements resonate more with hiring managers and show that you are interested and prepared to contribute.
Law school is a time of unparalleled opportunity. Students and newer lawyers have access to resources, mentors, and experiences that become scarcer as their careers progress. You must do more than take classes to establish a meaningful interest in any practice area. You must write, network, gain practical experience, and actively engage with the legal community. These activities build skills and demonstrate the initiative, commitment, and passion that hiring managers seek. By taking these steps, you can position yourself as a serious candidate and lay the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling legal career.
