Corporate Law Classes and Degree Programs
Corporate lawyers protect companies' rights, products and practices. Get information on earning a law degree as well as a master's degree in law, and find out about the classes you'll need to pursue a career in this field.
What You Need to Know
As a corporate lawyer, you'd be responsible for protecting the legal interests of businesses and corporations. You could work for a corporate law firm or you could act as in-house counsel, providing legal services to just one organization. Your job would often incorporate many facets of law, including intellectual property, employment law, litigation and contract law.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Classes</b></td><td> Research techniques, litigation strategies, negotiation skills, legal analysis, antitrust, taxation, securities, international law, government regulation and bankruptcy</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Degrees</b></td><td> Bachelor's degree and a law degree, known as a Doctor of Jurisprudence or Juris Doctor (J.D.)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook</b></td><td> 10% job growth for 2021-2031</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
</i></p><h3 id="section---WhatDoesCorporateLawEntail">What Does Corporate Law Entail?</h3><p>You'll likely practice both civil and criminal law as a corporate lawyer. You could represent your clients against customers, competitors or the government. You might also advise your clients on a variety of business-related subjects, including internal documentation, marketing or stock procedures. Your responsibilities and the type of job you could qualify for depend largely on the degree you earn. A bachelor's degree in legal studies could qualify you to work as a legal assistant or paralegal in a corporate environment. To work as a lawyer, you'll need to earn a law degree and pass your state's bar exam.
</p><h3 id="section---HowCanIPrepareForALawDegree">How Can I Prepare For a Law Degree?</h3><p>To become a lawyer, you'll need at least seven years of education after high school, including a bachelor's degree and a law degree, known as a Doctor of Jurisprudence or Juris Doctor (J.D.). To prepare for your law program, many schools recommend that you obtain a liberal arts education to gain a solid foundation in writing, public speaking, critical thinking and logic. Strong undergraduate performance is often required for acceptance into law school. You'll also need to pass the Law School Admission Test, and your score could determine which law schools you can qualify for.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatClassesWouldITake">What Classes Would I Take?</h3><p>In your first year of law school, your coursework will include foundational classes in such subjects as:
</p><ul><li>Contract law
</li><li>Torts
</li><li>Civil and criminal law
</li><li>Constitutional law
</li><li>Court procedures
</li><li>Research techniques and litigation strategies
</li><li>Negotiation skills
</li><li>Legal analysis
</li></ul><p>In your second and third years, you can follow a corporate law track that covers subjects in antitrust, taxation, securities, international law, government regulation and bankruptcy.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatOtherSpecializedEducationCanIGet">What Other Specialized Education Can I Get?</h3><p>A Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree program is generally designed for students who already have a J.D. degree and some experience practicing law. These programs provide you with the opportunity to further specialize in a particular aspect of law, such as corporate law. You're expected to know the fundamental principles of law through previous education and practice before taking the in-depth courses in accounting, taxation, securities and employment law in an LL.M. program.</p>