Pursuing a Career in Law With a Science Background
- Jennifer Santos
- Jan 26
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 28
People who are trained as scientists are well-equipped for the practice of law. Perseverance, creativity, and reasoning ability are essential for lawyers who analyze complex cases and handle new and unique legal problems.
Since most pre-law majors tend to fall under the humanities and social science fields, such as history, political science, economics, or English, which typically award a BA degree, a BA (Bachelor of Arts) is more common among lawyers than a BS (Bachelor of Science). The American Bar Association does not specify a preferred undergraduate degree for law school admission, allowing for flexibility in major choice. Still, it is not uncommon to see lawyers with BSc/Eng, MSc/Eng, or PhD on their resumes.
So for lawyers with STEM degrees, why the switch to law? Was the previous academic investment worth it?
U.S. News & World Report finds that when applying to law schools, candidates with experience in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) sectors have an advantage. Science and technology are increasingly influencing law, not just in the rapidly developing fields of environmental, patent, health, and tech law. Lawyers are using scientific knowledge and mathematical abilities more frequently in their work, from financial instruments to forensic evidence. Technologies related to artificial intelligence are changing the legal industry entirely.
However, an admissions procedure arguably designed mainly for graduates in the social sciences and humanities presents difficulties for applicants with STEM credentials and should consider the following:
Address a low GPA
The grade averages of STEM majors are typically lower than those of arts and social science students. Admissions personnel at law schools are aware that grading curves and course difficulty might differ between departments and institutions. A college transcript showing low grades in challenging STEM courses is not necessarily surprising. Because it is associated with performance in law school and influences the reputation and rankings of any institution you may be considering, cumulative undergraduate GPA (UGPA) is still a major consideration for admission to law schools.
Therefore, students majoring in STEM who have a poor GPA will surely need to address it.
Academic underperformance might be further contextualized with a transcript addendum, but do not fret, a more comprehensive overview of your academic capabilities can also be presented with the aid of your recommendation letters and personal statement.
Steer clear of technical jargon
Your CV may contain a lot of technical language if it is targeted at STEM-related positions. For instance, many software engineers emphasize familiarity with certain software or methods by detailing their coding tasks in terminology that is unintelligible to plain readers.
Work experience is valued by law schools. They are more interested in your degree of responsibility, your ability to perform under pressure, and your capacity to operate both independently and collaboratively than they are in the technical difficulties you encountered.
When modifying your resume for law school applications, use plain English instead of technical terminology. Eliminate unnecessary specialist training and credentials. Additionally, think about describing your accomplishments and areas of expertise in your optional essays or personal statement.
Additionally, even if they are technical, major scientific publications are a terrific thing to highlight. Even readers who are unable to completely understand the importance of your work will recognize that you possess the communication and research abilities necessary for practicing law.
Tie your background to your interest in law
Candidates from STEM disciplines should not appear to be what is known in colloquial terms as a "job-jumper." It's crucial to highlight your dedication to a legal profession without coming out as unduly critical of or disregarding your prior experience. By acknowledging your job change and tying your previous endeavors to your current professional objectives, you can strike a balance between the two extremes.
Show how your interests align with a school’s offerings
In addition to innovative data-based approaches to legal concerns, several law schools are focusing on quickly expanding sectors like tech law and health law. Institutions that pride themselves on being at the forefront of legal study make significant investments in high-tech legal subjects' institutes, programs, and journals.
When asked why you are applying to a law school in an essay or interview, such opportunities are great to mention. Find out how your education or experience would help you carve out a niche for yourself on campus.
Finding less selective colleges with unique programs or scholarships, or other qualities that align with your objectives, can also be facilitated by conducting informational interviews with professionals in your field of interest and conducting online research.
Gain relevant experience
Admissions committees may question whether you possess the reading, writing, and qualitative research abilities necessary to withstand the demands of law school if all of your prior academic and career experience has been in a lab or technology office.
Schedule law-related classes if you are still a college student. If you are employed, add volunteer work to your résumé or take on tasks that need you to manage or mentor others, conduct research and analysis, communicate verbally or in writing, or create and carry out corporate rules.
In general, there are more advantages than disadvantages to applying to law school with a STEM background.
Scientists possess a wide range of skills that are highly transferable into the legal industry. Those willing to go back to school to study law will have access to a wider range of opportunities. A lawyer with a science background usually fits extremely well in several areas of practice, including:
Patent law
A registered patent attorney or agent must earn a bachelor's degree preferably in a science or engineering field, attend law school, and pass the USPTO's (United States Patent and Trademark Office) Patent Bar Exam, and register with the USPTO. This enables the ability to draft and file patent applications on behalf of clients, essentially requiring both a strong technical background and legal knowledge to analyze and protect inventions through patents.
Intellectual property law
For lawyers who specialize in science and chemistry, there are several prospects in the fields of intellectual property (IP) and patent law. These attorneys support the defense of their clients' claims to computer programs, inventions, copyrights, and product designs. To comprehend the inventions they are defending, patent lawyers need to possess the necessary technical knowledge. Non-attorneys working for intellectual property law businesses also carry out background checks, explore novel technical fields, and even assist with patent drafting.
Before returning to law school, roughly one-third of legal professionals decide to work in the sector for a while. Legal practitioners may find it challenging to relocate because state and territory-specific laws and licensing requirements differ.
Environmental Law
In their interactions with the Environment Agency, attorneys with a scientific background frequently decide to focus on chemical and environmental law, where they may represent contractors, manufacturers, environmental protection organizations, or waste disposal companies. In addition to ensuring that their clients are in compliance with all environmental laws and regulations, environmental lawyers assist clients in preparing and submitting applications for licenses and permits.
In-house Counsel
In their capacity as "house counsel," these attorneys typically offer legal advise on matters pertaining to government rules, patents, business contracts, and property rights. These attorneys may be employed by government organizations, universities, national laboratories, and businesses in the chemical and biological sciences.
As these types of legal fields increasingly become more solicited due to expanding technological advances and leading scientific research, legal clients seem to continuously seek out a solicitor with a science background that has the ability to adapt to changing environments and utilize their critical-thinking skills to tackle an array of legal challenges.
Due to the volume of law school graduates each year, there continues to be competition for available positions as attorneys even in niche practice areas such those mentioned. Employment opportunities in intellectual property and patent law are more favorable for those with strong technical backgrounds.
If you are unsure wether law school is the best option for you, I encourage you to seek out opportunities in a law practice that interest you that will allow you to experience the profession without the commitment of having to pursue a graduate degree.
There are many opportunities in the legal field that don’t require attending law school or becoming a lawyer.
Paralegal, legal assistant, patent specialist, searcher, or other entry-level position
Requires a technical degree (bachelor's in natural sciences, technology, or engineering)
Patent agent
Requires a technical degree; also must either work for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for three years as a patent examiner or pass the USPTO registration examination. Note: Patent agents can write and prosecute patents, but cannot practice any other kind of law.
If you are a STEM major seriously considering law school:
A science degree can take you far beyond the laboratory, even into the courtroom. Research continuously shows that scientists generally make competent lawyers, even if the connection between science and law may not be immediately apparent.
If scientist are increasingly becoming highly marketable in law, why not apply?
Science, for me, gives a partial explanation for life. In so far as it goes, it is based on fact, experience and experiment.
Rosalind Franklin
Franklin was a chemist, molecular biologist, and one of the key figures behind unlocking the structure of human DNA.
Comments