Sports Agent
Interested in sports? A number of sports agents are also attorneys. Take Widener University School of Law's own M. Andre Buck, II for example. Now an NBA Player's Association-certified player representative, Mr. Buck attended the University of Delaware where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1993 in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Mr. Buck appeared in two NCAA Tournaments as a four-year member of the men's varsity basketball team. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law in 1996. Spending a number of years in the sports management and marketing industry, Mr. Buck was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 2002. Before joining Sherman, Silverstein, Kohl, Rose & Podolsky, P.A., Mr. Buck owned and operated his own sports management firm, Veracity Sports Group, Inc. Mr. Buck has also been an adjunct professor at Wilmington College in New Castle, DE, and a guest lecturer at Widener University School of Law, Temple University School of Law and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.
Broadcasting/Television Personality
Sometimes a legal career can lead to an unexpected second career. Born in Badin, North Carolina, and raised both there and in Trenton, New Jersey, Starlet "Star" Jones Reynolds earned a B.A. degree at American University and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She then went to work in New York in the Brooklyn District Attorney's office where she rose to the rank of Senior Assistant District Attorney before being recruited by Court TV. While working for the network she was a commentator for the William Kennedy Smith rape trial. This led to legal correspondent jobs at NBC's Today show as well as the Nightly News program. During her stint with the network, she covered major stories such as the Mike Tyson rape case and the Rodney King police brutality trial, landing exclusive interviews with both Tyson and King. She has also covered both O.J. Simpson criminal and civil trials, obtaining an exclusive interview with Simpson during the civil trial. Reynolds was also instrumental in the initial success of Daytime Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, The View, as one of the original co-hosts. Since recently leaving the view, Reynolds is enjoying successful endeavors as a bestselling author and philanthropist.
Record Executive
Perhaps best known for cultivating the careers of hit-making artists such as Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys, Clive Davis' career began as a lawyer. This native of a working-class Brooklyn, New York neighborhood graduated from New York University (NYU) in 1953. After attending Harvard Law School on scholarship, Davis went to work at Rosenman, Colin, Kaye, Petschek and Freund. The firm had CBS Records as a client. After being recruited by the company to work in the legal department of its then subsidiary, Columbia Records, Davis' passion for music fuled his assent to the presidency of CBS Records in 1967. Under Davis, CBS signed acts such as Janis Joplin, Earth, Wind and Fire, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen. After departing from CBS, Davis went on to found Arista Records which released successful records with acts such as Barry Manilow, Usher and the Notorious B.I.G. In 2003 Davis was named head of RCA records. In 2004 he was tapped to be the Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann Music Group North America where he is responsible for overseeing the careers of Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ciara, and all of the winners and runners up of the popular reality television talent contest American Idol. Mr. Davis has also been honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer.
Political Lobbyist
One of many off beat professions which a lawyer might pursue after graduation is that of a political lobbyist. Most political lobbyists have college level degrees and usually have majored in areas such as political science, journalism, law, public relations and communications. While a law school degree is not required, much of a political lobbyists job is geared around the ability to speak and convey positions persuasively. A law degree not only elevates one's credentials, but also provides the necessary skills to becoming a successful lobbyist. A lobbyist's main function is to persuade legislators to cast votes in favor of issues which best suit the needs of the clients for which they represent. The majority of successful lobbyists tend to be outgoing, confident individuals who enjoy socializing on both personal and professional levels. Lobbyists tend to host and attend many events gaining themselves and their clients much needed political exposure. A successful lobbyist is one who is passionate about the cause being represented and is persistent in raising awareness of issues. Many lobbyists have entered the profession as part of a career change and rely upon their expertise in former employment as a means for advising clients and recommending political action.
Real Estate Lawyer
Because so much touches the area of real estate, young attorneys and law students can practice in a vast array of areas pertaining to the topic. Real estate attorneys represent clients in matters pertaining to property development, real property litigation, leases, loans, zoning matters, foreclosures, receiverships, title work, and disputes in real estate sales contracts. Real Estate lawyers can be part of large commercial real estate transactions or can be part of something as simple as a trustee for property, or represent a client as an agent in a real estate transaction. Because of the range of job options, the hours and demands that surround each individual real estate attorney varies. Fortunately for those interested, real estate is a commodity always in demand, and continuously bought and sold; making it one of the most stable legal professions to enter.
Politics
Interested in Politics? A number of politicians are also attorneys. Pennsylvania's very own Governer Ed Rendell earned his law degree from Villanova University before joining the Philadelphia District Attorney's office. In 1977, Mr. Rendell was elected District Attorney of Philadelphia. In 1991 Mr. Rendell's interests turned to politics. In 1991 Mr. Rendell was elected Mayor of Philadelphia. In 1999, he resigned shortly before the end of his term to take up the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. In November of 2002, Mr. Rendell was elected Governor of Pennsylvania and was re-elected to that post in 2006. There has been talk of Mr. Rendell running for President of the United States. However, he recently has stated he is "not really" interested. Nonetheless, expect to see this one-time-attorney in national politics sometime in the near future.