BUSINESS PROFILE:
With supply outstripping demand in today’s legal field,
many area attorneys are choosing alternative career paths.
By 2018, New Jersey’s legal job market could get a lot more competitive. That’s when a record number of law students will graduate, flooding an already-full talent pool. While experts caution about supply-and-demand imbalances, many Mercer County lawyers are using their expertise in
new professions, from finance and consulting to non-profit organizations.
“The essence of a good lawyer is critical, analytical and logical thinking,” says Pat Ryan, Chairman of the Board at Hopewell Valley Community Bank. The former criminal investigator now calls upon his legal background to “marshal the facts, assess the situation, avoid problem areas, and then recommend a plan of action.”
The verdict? His judgment must be sound. The locally owned, service-oriented bank continues to grow despite a turbulent economy, and recently opened another new branch in Princeton this spring. Shareholders have also been rewarded with consistent dividend earnings for over ten years.
A new journey for attorneys.
Over 60,000 aspiring attorneys sat for the LSAT last fall, more than any year on record, according to the Law School Admission Council. An average of 45,000 people graduate from law school every year, although industry analysts suggest there will be less than 30,000 legal jobs available in 2018. As a result, many lawyers are finding success outside the traditional justice system — pursuing careers in government, human resources, the media and academics.
Michelle Siekerka, Esq., says she “wanted to be a lawyer since age 10.” After graduating from Temple University School of Law, Siekerka held several legal counsel positions before opening her own private practice. Today, as President/CEO of the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce.
she represents “the best interests of the best businesses in our area.”
“I advocate every day in this position. It’s a great organization and my responsibilities include making connections, maintaining communication, and PLENTY of advocacy. My previous experience taught me to always think like a lawyer … to see issues from all angles and points of view … which I do now on behalf of our business community.”
Is There Life After Law?
Anne Danielsen was an up-and-coming attorney licensed in New Jersey and Virginia, but eventually made the switch to teaching as a visiting professor at Princeton University. “The practice of law is so much about business and billable hours, I felt this was a better way to make a difference,” she explains.
After managing his own law office in Lawrenceville, James Drown “gave up being a trial lawyer for a trial run at legal recruiting.” He never looked back. Specializing in temporary and direct placement of attorneys, paralegals and support staff, his business is poised for growth as another class of law students enters the marketplace.
One newly minted graduate is Vandana Gael of Plainsboro, fresh from the Rutgers School of Law. She hasn’t taken her bar exam yet, and may delay it indefinitely while pursuing a career in the not-for-profit sector. “I’m looking for something like Teach For America or Doctors Without Borders … except it would be for people with law degrees, like me, interested in public service.”
Giving Back, Looking Forward
Volunteerism is on the rise among area attorneys, says Christine Brennan, Executive Director of the Mercer County Bar Association (MCBA). The not-for-profit organization based in Hamilton is actively involved in the community and has helped facilitate a broad range of philanthropic programs like a new Volunteer Lawyers Project, free monthly clinics, and a special service for senior citizens called Wills For The Elderly.
“We also partner with the Mercer County Library System and office of County Executive to offer free legal services for seniors,” Brennan said. “Every month, 7-10 lawyers are available throughout our Mercer County neighborhoods to provide complimentary counseling, legal assistance and reassurance. It’s very rewarding to see.”
Elder Law, in fact, is one of today’s fast-growing legal specialties as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age. Other growth markets, reflecting the signs of our times, include bankruptcy and foreclosure law, as well as in-house advisory roles at financial and insurance firms. One leading accounting firm — Amper, Politziner & Mattia — says that Tax Law experts are in great demand. “I don’t know of a single accounting firm thatISN’T hiring tax lawyers now,” says partner Michael Mattia. “We need them more than ever.”
Summary Statement
It was Aristotle who said "when laws have been written down, they ought not to remain unaltered." And so it goes with legal careers subject to changing conditions and business climates. Like laws, the profession is sometimes amended, updated to be more inclusive, and improved for the greater good. The case for success in Mercer County is far from closed. It’s wide open.
Legal Briefs
An at-a-glance overview of where the jobs are, outside the courtroom
Information Technology
In the i-age, IT law has evolved quickly, addressing everything from E-commerce and computer software to security and copyright law. Increases in identity theft, credit card fraud, and web-stalking have placed IT lawyers in high demand.
Non-profit Organizations
Many nonprofits need legal expertise for their public interest issues, as well as persuasive-writing skills to obtain grants. Jobs include Development Officers in university and hospital foundations, Association Management, Fundraising, and issue-oriented advocacy such as lobbying groups.
Academic Administration
Legislative Affairs Specialist. Affirmative Action / EEO Officer. Licensing Director. Academic Compliance Director. Trust Officer. And those are just a few in-house positions at over 3,500 U.S. universities facing a full course load of confusing, intertwining state and federal regulations.
Sports & Entertainment Management
The #1 skill set for entertainment and sports agents? Contractual law. Whether negotiating contracts, managing business and financial affairs, even handling client communications and PR, lawyers are hitting the big time here.
Immigration Law
From the 9/11 attacks to the recent Arizona immigration bill, this specialty has undergone vast legal changes, with an increased need for experts in government and private practice to interpret and administer the new laws.