Different Legal Roles in Connecticut
In the legal industry, as in most others, the opportunities for employment vary according to education, training, knowledge and skill sets. There are entry level jobs and the industry is always looking for qualified talent to help push the legal machine forward so to speak. So if you are considering a career in the legal field and have an interest in residing in Connecticut, there are numerous choices available.
Attorney
There are many sub-categories within the attorney job type including civil attorney, criminal attorney, family law, litigation and corporate law. Attorneys require a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, along with at least one to two years of on-the-job training. In addition, a valid State bar license is required.
Paralegal
A paralegal requires significant training, which is similar to an attorney, but less intense . Paralegals are educated to a 2 or 4 year college level, and must have relevant work-experience to qualify for employment. Many paralegals begin as legal assistants, which require a high school diploma or G.E.D.
Legal assistant
This position is the most entry level type of job available. A legal assistant is a secretary, with experience in law, which means they provide general clerical and secretarial support. A legal assistant works under the direct supervision of an attorney and handles all aspects of clerical needs, filing, preparing documents and updating relevant information as needed.
Judge
Judge is generally a position that requires 10 years of experience as an attorney and the highest level of education. A Judge presides over cases, appoints counsel, manages the court staff and facilities, prepares for courtroom proceedings and more.
Top Employers Seeking Legal Professionals in CT
Some of the largest employers for legal professionals in Connecticut are the Hartford offices of the state’s leading law firms, including McCarter & English, Robinson & Cole and Shipman & Goodwin. Additionally, large regional firms like Pullman & Comley, Levett Rockwood and Berchem Moses also frequently hire for a range of legal positions. Leading small and mid-sized firms include Achille G. Marotta, the Law Office of Stephen A. Giampietro and the Law Offices of A. James Tarascio Jr.
Leading employers for corporate attorneys are Hartford HealthCare, Yale New Haven Health Hospital and the University of Connecticut. Other companies that regularly list job openings for lawyers include General Electric, General Electric Aviation, United Technologies Corporation, AssuredPartners, Inc., Stanley Black & Decker and Connecticut Natural Gas.
Government agencies that employ lawyers in Connecticut include the Office of the Attorney General, the Connecticut Judicial Branch, departments of the Connecticut-Southern District of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and various other local, state and federal agencies.
Education Needed for Legal Positions
Educational requirements for legal careers are generally straightforward in the state of Connecticut. Most legal careers require at least a master’s degree from an accredited university. A bachelor’s degree is optional, though it may help make you a more competitive candidate. A few positions may require a specific certification, such as a pharmacy technician.
Most law-related careers require some sort of professional licensing or certification. Lawyers have to pass the bar exam in order to be eligible to practice law anywhere. Even those who want to work outside of Connecticut often have to pass the state bar in order to get reciprocity in other states. For example, a Connecticut-licensed attorney wishing to practice in New York would have to pass the New York Bar Exam in order to get licensed in that state as well.
In order to become a paralegal, you’ll need to have an associate’s degree in a related field, and some employers might prefer a bachelor’s degree in addition to certifications. Many law firms will only consider hiring paralegals who have spent six months or more as interns within that firm.
Judicial clerks may have different requirements, as some law firms may only require a bachelor’s degree, but most will expect candidates to have passed the bar exam. Some judicial clerk positions may also be unpaid.
Salary Ranges for Legal Positions
Of course, the most sought after information on legal jobs are jobs that pay. As with almost anything else in negotiation it is better to go in with knowledge that you already understand the range of pay available. So what follows is a quick and dirty look at salaries paid for legal positions in Connecticut.
For some positions the most telling indicator of pay can be found within the wage surveys published by the Connecticut Bar Association-Hartford County Bar Association Joint Committee on Salaries. These surveys have been published every year since 1966 with the results of the latest (2006) published last month. The salary surveys of the CBA-HCBA Joint Committee on Salaries provide an insight into salary levels, although there is a known bias to be aimed at large firms and Hartford based firms, since that is where the Committee meetings are held. But for many law firms, the median figures can give important insight into the low end for many positions. At the low end, for example, the median for secretarial/clerical staff has been fairly stable given the nature of increases in minimum wage levels. The median level for legal assistant/paralegal positions is in the $48,000 to $52,000 for attorneys with 5-6 years experience in larger firms. Other factors can include size of firm handled, area of law handled and location of the office. For example, employment litigation attorneys who handle cases in Hartford may command over a $20,000 more than those who practice out of Waterbury. And as well known, there is often a premium for working in New York City, although getting to and from work may be cost prohibitive.
Legal Networking and Professional Growth
After you’ve spent time researching the various legal job openings available, chances are that you’ve come across a potential job referral: a partner who once worked with one of your close friends at another firm, or a hiring manager who is a friend of a family member. You might have also learned that a former colleague at one of your previous firms is now working as in-house counsel for a local company. Each of these people could potentially lead you to exciting new career opportunities in Connecticut.
Seeking out job referrals can be a great way to build your network and grow your professional relationships, so make sure to take full advantage of this resource. You’ll also want to get out there and do some networking of your own: attending local bar association events and other professional development sessions is a great way to learn about new legal opportunities and meet some potential employers face-to-face . The Connecticut Bar Association offers both educational resources and social networking opportunities to help members grow their professional network. Another good option for networking and educational resources is the Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association, which provides continuing education seminars on employment law and other issues, as well as a robust members directory. Some local chambers of commerce, such as those in New Haven or Hartford, also provide educational updates and other networking opportunities to their members.
Whether you’re looking for networking and educational opportunities or just need to get a few work-related questions answered, these local organizations—and plenty more like them—are an invaluable resource for those seeking legal job opportunities in Connecticut.
What’s Hot in the CT Legal Job Market
State of the CT Legal Job Market
Among the significant factors that can change the legal landscape are shifts in the economy, in demographics, and in the technological resources available to lawyers. These shifts are driving changes in the Connecticut legal job market. One emerging trend in the Connecticut legal job market is the increasing demand for non-traditional legal services. Corporations are seeking to reduce their legal expenditures by outsourcing legal work that can be performed at a lower cost. Non-traditional legal service providers like contract lawyers, e-discovery companies, legal process outsourcers, and offshore outsourcing centers now offer many routine legal services at a fraction of the cost charged by traditional law firms. IPOs are also back. This has caused an increase in demand for corporate lawyers, which in turn has caused a lot of firms to hire strategic counsel. In addition, start-ups continue to flourish, which also has resulted in demand for corporate lawyers. Corporate departments have been a bright spot as well. We’ve noticed an uptick in lateral hiring in this area over the last quarter or so. Many of these in-house departments are looking for lawyers with a pharmaceuticals, medical devices and corporate background. They also are seeking to hire at the senior-supervisory level (counsel/senior counsel) at salary levels around $150. There also has been an increase in demand for labor and employment lawyers.
Launching a Career in Legal in Connecticut
For many aspiring lawyers, law school graduation and the passing of the bar examination mark the beginning of the next chapter in their legal careers. Those new to the state of Connecticut are often concerned that they will have difficulty finding legal employment and feel unsure about what steps they should take to secure employment. As a first step, job seekers should speak with a professor or mentor who practices law in Connecticut and is familiar with the legal hiring environment. This person can provide basic information regarding the types of positions available for entry-level attorneys and offer insights into the best avenues for obtaining an entry-level position. Those who do not have access to a professor or mentor may wish to research the hiring practices of local law firms, government offices or in-house legal departments. Out-of-state applicants should be aware that most businesses with less than five attorneys do not hire law school graduates , although there are exceptions. Those seeking employment with small firms should consult with mentors and conduct online research to seek guidance on the hiring practices of Connecticut law firms. Recent law school graduates or individuals who are new to the state should maintain realistic expectations with regard to their salary requirements as such applicants will need to earn the respect of their colleagues and clients. Legal recruiters can be useful resources for individuals seeking employment with mid- to large-sized law firms. Legal recruiters act as intermediaries between law offices and applicants and can help applicants to identify firms which would be most likely to offer positions in line with the applicant’s qualifications. The Connecticut Job Bank provides access to a variety of private and governmental job placement services. Applicants may also visit the Connecticut State Bar Association website to review a list of Connecticut law offices. Internships are often an excellent way for aspiring attorneys to gain legal experience as a legal intern or law clerk in Connecticut. Individuals seeking internship opportunities should contact their universities to determine whether they may have an internship program with any Connecticut firms. Regardless of the applicant’s background or experience, successful job seekers should have a carefully crafted resume and cover letter. All documents should be typed without errors to convey professionalism and attention to detail.