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.

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 national and global firms with 1000+ attorneys. Whether you are seeking opportunities with large law firms through our on-campus interview and early recruiting programs [link to OCI page] or in a small or medium-sized firm, the CDO can help you develop a customized strategy based on your interests, qualifications, and skills.
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
J.D. Advantage and Emerging Careers

Many JD graduates decide to pursue exciting opportunities in the private sector outside of the practice of law, where their legal training and experience gives them a leg up. 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 and variety of J.D. Advantage jobs is growing and many law graduates choose to pursue these opportunities either right out of law school or later in their careers.
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

Perfect Your Application

For information on creating your resume, cover letter, references, writing sample, and other application materials, see the CDO Application Materials Guide:
CDO Application Materials Guide
We are here to help with your application materials!

Our CDO Career Counselors can help you develop an effective private sector job search strategy and can assist you with your application materials, interviewing skills, and building your professional network. Students and alumni can schedule an appointment through Symplicity [link to Symplicity login page] or by contacting our front desk at 303-871-6124 or law-careers@du.edu.
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: