ASU Law Talks
How do you navigate potential law school career paths?
Robin Grieff
Director of Career Services, Washington, D.C.
Robin Grieff is the Director of Career Services in Washington, D.C., specializing in East Coast and out-of-state job search strategy, application support, interview preparation, networking, offer evaluation and academic planning for the D.C. Program.
A JD degree is less about a single outcome than it is about access to a wide range of legal careers. What often stands out to prospective students is how many directions the degree can take you — across traditional practice, public service and industries where legal knowledge drives decision-making.
At ASU Law, students explore these pathways through coursework, experiential learning and direct exposure to legal professionals in different sectors, including opportunities from Phoenix, AZ to Washington, D.C. and beyond.
What types of law careers can you pursue?
The legal profession includes multiple career tracks, each with its own focus, pace and client base.
Law firm careers
Law firms vary widely in size and scope.
- Big Law firms handle complex corporate transactions, regulatory matters and large-scale litigation
- Mid-size and boutique firms focus on specialized practice areas with earlier hands-on experience
- Small firms often serve local communities with broad exposure to different types of legal work
These environments shape how lawyers build expertise and interact with clients.
Public interest law
Public interest lawyers focus on serving individuals and communities.
Their work often includes:
- Representing tenants, immigrants or marginalized populations
- Advocating for civil rights and policy reform
- Supporting nonprofit organizations and community initiatives
This path connects legal training directly to service and impact.
Government and public sector careers
Government lawyers operate across all levels of the legal system.
Common roles include:
- Prosecutors and public defenders
- Attorneys at federal or state agencies like the DOJ or EPA
- Legislative counsel involved in drafting laws
- Judicial clerks working closely with judges
These careers often combine legal analysis with policymaking and public service.
In-house and business careers
Many JD graduates work within companies rather than law firms.
In-house counsel:
- Advise on contracts, compliance and regulatory issues
- Partner with business teams on strategy and operations
- Help organizations manage legal risk
These roles sit at the intersection of law and business.
Emerging and specialized legal careers
Legal careers continue to expand into specialized areas such as:
- Compliance and regulatory strategy
- Environmental and sustainability law
- Sports, media and intellectual property
Programs at ASU Law reflect this range, showing how legal training applies across evolving industries.
How can studying in Washington, D.C. shape your legal career?
Location plays a meaningful role in how students explore career paths.
ASU Law’s Washington, D.C. program places students in one of the most active legal and policy environments in the country. Students engage with federal agencies, congressional offices, nonprofits and international organizations through externships and networking opportunities.
This access allows students to:
- Experience government and policy work firsthand
- Build connections with attorneys and policymakers
- Explore careers in regulation, international law and public service
For students interested in government, policy or global legal work, being in D.C. provides a level of exposure that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
How do students decide which legal career path is right?
Most students refine their interests through experience.
Law school introduces core subjects like contracts, criminal law and civil procedure, then builds toward more specialized coursework and hands-on opportunities. Through externships, clinics and placements — including those in Washington, D.C. — students test different environments and types of work.
Over time, patterns emerge. Some students gravitate toward litigation, others toward transactional work, policy or advisory roles.
Why does the range of legal careers matter?
A JD offers flexibility across industries and roles.
Graduates are not limited to a single path. The degree develops skills in analysis, communication and problem-solving that apply across law firms, government, business and beyond.
At ASU Law, that range is paired with access — to experiences, networks and locations like Washington, D.C. — that help students translate options into direction.