Private Sector Careers
Whether you are seeking employment in large firms, small law firms, or considering opening your own law firm, our CDO career counselors can help you structure a career plan that is right for your legal career path.
There are several opportunities available for Sturm College of Law graduates interested in private sector employment:
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Law Firm Careers
Many Sturm College of Law graduates work for law firms throughout Colorado and across the country, in firms of all sizes, ranging from solo practitioners to firms with more than 500 attorneys. Law firm experience as a law clerk or intern during law school is highly recommended if pursuing this path. Some popular practice areas include the following:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Bankruptcy Law
- Civil/Commercial Litigation
- Civil Rights
- Corporate/Business Law
- Criminal Defense
- Education Law
- Elder Law
- Employment Law
- Energy & Natural Resources Law
- Entertainment & Sports Law
- Environmental Law
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Healthcare Law
- Immigration Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- International Law
- Marijuana/Cannabis Law
- Oil & Gas
- Patent Law
- Personal Injury Law
- Privacy/Data Security
- Real Estate
- Tax Law
- Water Law
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In-House Counsel
Colorado is the home headquarters of many businesses, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small start-ups. Many of our students obtain summer or school-year law clerk positions working with in-house legal departments, and some graduates go straight in-house after law school. Companies that have hired Denver law students as interns/externs or hired graduates for full-time positions include:
- Arrow Electronics
- Molson Coors Brewing Company
- Century Link
- Davita
- DISH Network, LLC
- Lockheed Martin
- CoBank
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation
- Western Union
- Westmoreland Coal Company
- University of Denver Office of the University Counsel
- Great-West Financial
- Gates Corporation
- National MS Society
- Paladina Health, LLC
- NBH Bank
- Location3 Media, Inc.
- National CineMedia, LLC
- MarkWest Energy Partners, LP
- CH2M HILL
- CSG International
- First American Title Insurance Company
- Grease Monkey International, LLC
- Vertafore
- Newmont Mining
- Slack
- Elevations Credit Union
- Spectrum Retirement Communities
- ICON Advisers, Inc.
- Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
- Nelnet, Inc.
- TTEC
- SM Energy Company
- Translogic Corporation dba Swisslog Healthcare Solutions
- Cable Televisions Laboratories, Inc.
- National Corporate Housing, Inc.
- IMA Financial Group
- Ball Corporation
- Noble Energy
- Purple Land Management
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J.D. Advantage and Emerging Careers
Some students come to law school to advance a current career, enhance their background in business or other fields, gain knowledge to start their own venture, or pursue alternative or emerging careers. Some decide during law school that they do not want to practice law in the traditional sense. There are many opportunities in private sector where a J.D. is highly preferred and advantageous. Jobs known as “J.D. Advantage” or “alternative careers” are jobs in which having a J.D. puts you at an advantage with employers and on the job, but do not typically require a law license. The number of J.D. Advantage jobs is growing, as are the number of students accepting these jobs. If you are not sure what you would like to do with your law degree, consider a J.D. Advantage job, which will allow you to have a fulfilling career using your J.D.
J.D. Advantage jobs are found in many industries, including land use/oil and gas, banking, finance, investment management, accounting, health care, technology, insurance, entertainment/sports management, real estate, and management consulting. One of the most common job types among J.D. Advantage jobs is in the field of compliance. You can find compliance jobs in many organizations including hospitals (privacy/health law compliance), banks (AML), businesses (cybersecurity, privacy, human resources, risk management and ethics), and higher education (Title IX, etc.). Another common JD Advantage opportunity in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West region is landman in the oil and gas industry.
On-Campus Interviews (OCI)
On-campus interviews (OCI) is the late summer and early fall recruiting program through which some law firms, corporations and government employers hire summer associates, law clerks, interns and, not as commonly, first-year associates. A smaller OCI is held in the spring semester. Some employers, particularly larger law firms, only hire through this process for their summer or school-year positions, and ultimately for their entry-level associates.
As a general guideline, grades play an important role to many OCI employers, although employers are interested in more than just class rank by itself. The process is competitive, involves online applications, interview selections, on-campus interviews, and callback or second-round interviews at the firm, company or agency. Specific information and deadlines are provided yearly via programs, emails and our blog in the spring semester before applications are due mid-summer.
Employer registration opens each spring in March/April for participation later that summer. Employers should contact the Office of Career Development for specific dates and information about how and when to register.
Private Sector Career Online Resources
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Perfect Your Application
For information on creating your resume, cover letter, references, writing sample, and other application materials, see our career handbook, available here:
CDO Application Materials Guide
We are here to help with your application materials!
The CDO has a private sector team to assist with your job search and application materials. Contact Gayle Keahey, Director of External Relations, to schedule an appointment or schedule through Denver Law Careers Online (Symplicity). -
Private Sector Job Search & Networking
Positions in private sector are frequently posted directly on the law firm, company or organization website. In addition, the job search and networking resources below are key to identifying law clerk, intern, summer associate, and full-time opportunities:
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General Legal Employment Opportunities
- ABA Career Counsel
- Careerbuilder Includes job postings on legal internships, clerkships, and other employment opportunities. Also offers interesting articles on career enhancement.
- Looking out-of state? The Office of Career Development has recently joined a consortium of law schools around the country who are willing to share their respective job databases.
- Chronicle of Higher Education Career Network
- Denver Bar Association Job Announcements
Database of Denver/Front Range attorney and legal staff job postings - FindLaw
Find resources for the public, small businesses, and legal professionals as well as current news. Legal Career Center allows jobseekers to search for positions by location or practice area. - Hieros Gamos Legal Employment Center
This legal website includes a legal and lawyer employment center with many helpful articles and tips on job hunting, changing jobs, resumes, and interviews. - Informational Interviewing
A comprehensive tutorial offered by quintcareers.com. An informational interview should be an integral part of your networking and job-hunting plan. An informational interview involves talking with people who are currently working in the field to gain a better understanding of an occupation or industry – and to build a network of contacts in that field. - LawJobs
Website offers a job board with high tech capabilities and also includes excellent hiring trends information. - Legalstaff.com
Website allows job seekers to post resumes, search jobs and apply online. It also has resources on career advancement, networking and other law-related topics. Job seekers can search positions by location or practice area. - Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Locator
Information about attorneys and law firms around the world - National Association for Legal Career Professionals
NALP is dedicated to facilitating legal career counseling and planning, recruitment and retention, and the professional development of law students and lawyers. Diversity resource center, Career toolkit, and information about opportunities with government, clerkships, and in public interest law. No password needed. Click on “Public Services Initiatives” to access the Federal Legal Employment Opportunities, or PSLAWNET, click on “Directories” for Directory of Legal Employers, or “Career Paths and Resources” for other helpful information. - RCJobs (Roll Call Jobs)
An excellent resource for jobs on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. - Westlaw Jobs Online
Username and password for this website is available on the Password Protected Webpage. Click on “Career and Professional Life” for information on summer positions, special programs for fellowships, honors programs, and judicial clerkships. Programs available nationwide and abroad. Law students can also sign-up to receive JD Career Alerts.
CDO Private Sector Career Contacts
