Welcome to Pre-Law Advising

Tuft’s pre-law advising team is excited to welcome you in learning about the study and practice of law. We offer a wealth of guidance and support to students and alumni from all backgrounds and academic majors.

One-on-one advising is available by appointment with Tufts Pre-Law Advisor, Dovie King, who can help you identify a variety of options in the legal profession that suit your particular interests and goals. We also offer resources, such as a pre-law newsletter, events and programs about the law school application process,  diversity issues and legal careers.

To get you started on your journey, we have compiled basic information on this page about the legal profession. For additional help, we encourage you to  log into Handshake to schedule an appointment with the pre-law advisor.

Juris Doctor Degree

The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is the credential you need if you want to practice law. Lawyers are involved in everything from real estate transactions to writing a will, to prosecuting and defending criminals. They analyze, research and write, advocate, counsel, strategize, negotiate and more. How you spend your time as a lawyer really depends on the type of law you practice and type of company or organization in which you work.

Practice Settings

There are many possibilities for jobs in the legal profession.  Some popular practice settings include: (1) government at the local, state, federal level; (2) private practice at a law firm; (3) courts or judiciary; (4) public interest, such as a civil legal aid office or nonprofit; (5) international law and human rights; (6) criminal law; and (7) in-house at a company’s legal department.

Fields of Law

In terms of legal specialties or fields of law, the options are vast. A few examples include animal law, admiralty law, bankruptcy, banking and finance, corporate law, criminal law, education law, entertainment law, employment and labor law, environmental law, family law, health law, immigration law, intellectual property, personal injury, trusts and wills and tax law. Many more are available!

Public Interest Law

Public interest lawyers provide legal services to individuals, groups and organizations that are historically unrepresented in society. The breadth of issues encompassed by public interest law is extensive. Some issue areas include children’s rights, civil rights and liberties, consumer rights, death penalty, prisoners’ rights, disability, economic development, elder rights, workers’ rights, First Amendment, LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness/housing, asylum and refugees, international human rights, migrants/farmworkers, Native American rights, poverty, reproductive rights, voting rights and women’s rights. There are different types of public interest organizations that address these and other issues in a variety of ways.

Alternative Careers

In addition to a rewarding and challenging career as a lawyer, a JD can also lead to a dynamic career in alternative fields. These include business, academia, human resources, journalism, criminal justice, media and communications, higher education leadership, the labor movement, public policy and politics.

As a potential law school applicant, you might consider taking law-related courses while at Tufts as well as interning or working in a setting where lawyers work.  Though not explicitly required for admission, these experiences can help you decide if law is the right career choice for you. Please also check out these valuable pre-law resources:

What is a Pre-Law Major?

Diversity in the Legal Profession

Pre-Law Timeline

Law Resources

Tufts Pre-Law Society

Tufts Lawyers Association

By Dovie King
Dovie King Pre-Law Advisor