JD Preferred

May 25, 2009 8:54 PM

What nonlegal, "JD preferred" jobs would be suitable for someone with a background in employment law? TIA.
posted by odeon to work & money (6 comments total)

Perhaps an NEA or state teacher's union Uniserv position? You'd basically be a consultant for local unions, and knowing employment law is a key part of helping advocate for teachers in the union.

This might not be totally JD preferred, but I know JD's who do the job and the compensation is good (too good?)....

http://www.nea.org/home/18959.htm
posted by jz at 10:08 PM on May 25 [1 favorite has favorites]

High-level claims/insurance work in the EPLI department of major insurance companies? Most of my colleagues in these departments seem to have JDs.
posted by bunnycup at 6:13 AM on May 26

There are also numerous JDs in corporate HR departments, focused generally on comp & benefits, affirmative action/diversity, and/or employee relations.
posted by DrGail at 7:00 AM on May 26

My experience as an employment lawyer is that there aren't that many of these. Consulting for corporations leaps to mind. Being barred would be a big help even if your job isn't representing. A litigation coordinator jumps to mind.

In my experience, there are few unions that hire JD's in the way suggested above.
posted by Ironmouth at 7:27 AM on May 26

DrGail's suggestion of HR departments is a good one, although I'd look more to job descriptions in compliance, policy and internal investigations. Even if they should do so, the (shall we say) "culture" of Big HR militates against preferring any relatively-hard-to-obtain professional credential (including but certainly not limited to JDs) for seats which are even slightly generalist in their orientation. You will also need to craft your interview approach carefully to the reality that most of your colleagues, and quite possibly your supervisor, will be multiply-promoted administrative assistants without college degrees, very sensitive to any implication that they are underqualified for their posts.
posted by MattD at 7:53 AM on May 26

Thank you to those who responded. This gives me some new ideas. Thanks.
posted by odeon at 5:49 PM on June 10