Private Sector Careers

Whether you are seeking employment in large firms, small firms, or your own firm, the advisors at CDO can help you structure a career plan that is right for your legal career path. 

There are several opportunities available for Denver Law graduates interested in private sector employment:

  • Law Firm Careers

    Many Denver Law graduates work for law firms throughout Colorado and around the country, in firms of all sizes, ranging from solo practitioners to firms with 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
  • 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

    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.

     

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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.

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Online Resources

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Learn the skills to master career-planning and job search strategies, find employment information and access career-related resources and services. 

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CDO Contacts

 
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Eric Bono

Eric Bono

Assistant Dean for Career Development

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Gayle Keahey

Gayle Keahey

Director of External Relations

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