Add RSS RSS

Career Alternatives for Attorneys: Public Relations (Agency Side)

Friday, June 20, 2008 3:12 PM - By David Lat

public relations agency PR firm microphone.jpgIn our continuing series of open threads on career alternatives for attorneys — i.e., “things you can do with a law degree other than Biglaw (or contract attorney work)” — we’ve covered a number of interesting areas. Thus far we’ve written about lawyers at accounting firms, law librarians, and law firm recruiting coordinators / directors.

Today we peer at a profession that’s more removed from the legal realm, but where legal training is still helpful and valued: public relations (at a PR agency; PR professionals who work for law firms will be covered later). A tipster tells us:

While I have nothing quite as clever as Manager of Legal Sea Foods, I can propose a career that has unlimited earning potential, bonuses and still allows a JD the opportunity to be involved in interesting and high-profile issues: public relations. Several of the top agencies today, including those specializing in issues management or crisis communications, have positions available for lawyers (or recovering lawyers).

At my last agency, I worked with a total of seven, most of whom attended Top 15 law schools. Most of our clients were involved in product recalls, discrimination lawsuits, predatory lending practices, patent disputes, etc. The work was highly confidential and occasionally involved a good courtroom battle, aside with the typical battle with the NYT. Since we dealt with the general counsel’s office most of the time, it was a tremendous asset to have someone who understood their “language.”

Sounds like fun. And considering that both legal and PR types are talented talkers, skilled at the art of spin, public relations seems like a good fit for lawyers (or aspiring ex-lawyers).

Okay, we’re sold on the substance of the work. What about the pay?

Find out, after the jump.

For non-legal employment, the pay isn’t half-bad, at least if our tipster is accurate:

Salary is difficult to say, but my old firm would have paid between $75,000 - $100,000 for a JD with no prior communications experience; with experience, add $25,000 or more. If they can write a press release or Q&A document in English, add another $10,000.

Recovering lawyers (those who retired from in-house assignments or started family and came back to work) are worth much, much more. Most agencies will even hand out fancy titles like “Senior Vice President” or “Managing Director” for individuals at this level. Senior will be in the title.

Bonuses depend on business, but these days, business continues to be good for most agencies with big clients, who have serious issues.

So there you go. If you have information to add about working for a PR agency, or additional questions you’d like to pose, please take advantage of the comments.

We’re continuing to accept suggestions for future Career Alternatives posts. If you have a suggested alternative career path, please email us (subject line: “Career Alternatives”), and include some basic info about the field that you’re nominating (e.g., how to get into it, pluses and minuses, salary data, etc.). Thanks.

Earlier: Career Alternatives posts about lawyers at accounting firms, law librarians, and law firm recruiting coordinators / directors.

(43) Comments
Posted in: Career Alternatives, Job Searches, Media and Journalism

Comments

Comments hidden for your protection. Show them anyway!

Post Your Comment