Career Exploration

The Office of Career Services will be closed Wednesday, November 24 to Friday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen at 9:00am on Monday, November 29.

The Office of Career Services has returned to campus. We are offering in-person and virtual appointments and services. Visit Contact Information and Directions for more information.

Start with Self-Assessment

There are numerous options for employment with a degree from HLS. Before you read about the practice areas and settings in the private sector below, take some time to complete our self-assessment exercises.

Explore by Legal Practice Area

Practice Area Podcast Series

Overview of Legal Practice Areas

Litigation

Corporate

Regulatory

Intellectual Property

Other Practice Areas

Practice Area Podcast Series

There are many possible areas of specialization in a law firm. To help you identify what practice area(s) might interest you, listen to these podcasts in which OCS advisors interview leading practitioners in their respective fields. Attorneys provide an overview of the practice, the types of matters they work on and the role of a junior associate.

Overview of Legal Practice Areas

The day-to-day work and skill set can vary greatly among practice areas. Learn about the vast array of common practice areas in law firms and find which ones suit your interests and ambitions.

Litigation

Litigation is the legal process of resolving disputes between parties. These pages will provide you with information on different types of litigation practice.

Types of Litigation Practice

Corporate

While much of the legal work in the private sector involves corporations, corporate lawyers are those that focus strictly on the transactions that their clients engage in, and the matters that are involved with the running of the business.

Types of Corporate Practice

Regulatory

Regulatory or administrative law focuses on interactions with governmental institutions and agencies. There are many different types of regulatory work at law firms.

Types of Regulatory Practice

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property involves assets that go beyond bricks and mortar, encompassing processes, ideas, names and inventions. Learn more about the multiple categories of practice in this ever-evolving field.

Types of IP Practice

Other Practice Areas

How do you decide on a practice area? There are many areas of specialization in a law firm and these Other Practice Area pages provide overviews of many different types of practice.

Explore by Career Path