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Should You Choose a J.D. Concentration? Why Don’t Some Students?

Published September 30, 2019

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Guest blogger Allie Wilton is an SEO & PPC Specialist at protocol 80, Inc.

So - you’re obtaining your J.D.

Congratulations!

The next step is to decide whether or not you want to choose a concentration. To help answer your questions, we’ve compiled a few tips and things to think about when it comes to deciding whether or not to choose a J.D. concentration.

What is a J.D. Concentration?
Why Some Students Choose to Declare a J.D. Concentration
Why Some Students Decide NOT to Choose a Concentration
Summary

What is a J.D. Concentration?

Declaring a concentration under which you will earn your J.D. essentially means that you will be choosing a specialty to master over the course of your degree program.

Doing so will provide you with a deeper understanding of a specific legal field, making you an impressive asset in that particular area of interest. This will entail a specialized curriculum and various experiential learning involvement pertaining to your concentration. This next-level study will more appropriately prepare you for legal work in the field you’ve chosen.

The University of Buffalo School of Law offers 6 J.D. Concentrations and 2 Curricular Programs to choose from:

Concentrations:

Programs:

The decision to declare a concentration is entirely your own, and should be based on a combination of your personal interests and your career plans for the future.

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Learn more about the law school admissions process and School of Law community through an individual meeting with one of our staff members.

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Why Some Students Choose to Declare a J.D. Concentration

Why should you choose a J.D. concentration? Should you even choose one at all?

This is completely up to you.

Some of the reasons people decide to declare a concentration for their J.D. are to study a particular area of legal expertise, or to become more competitive in a highly saturated job market.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into a field that you’re passionate about, choosing a J.D. concentration may be a good choice! In these ever-changing political, technological, social, and environmental climates, the need for specialists in a variety of legal fields is becoming more apparent. 

For example, Intellectual Property and Privacy Law is a J.D. concentration offered at the University of Buffalo School of Law that has become significantly more popular and relevant in the past decade. With the rise of the digital age, new legislation pertaining to digital ownership becomes more necessary with each year that passes. The need for people who specialize in this field is even more in-demand. 

If you’re concerned with being a more competitive applicant in more urban areas or at larger firms, then a J.D. concentration is a good option for you!

Especially in larger cities or at large companies or firms, the need for specialists is much more prevalent. While there are obviously still general practice attorneys in big cities, being qualified to serve a market that may have historically been under-represented could be a major advantage when trying to find a job. 

The same thought process applies to trying to work for larger firms or be a part of high-level legal teams. Again, there will always be a need for general practicing attorneys, but providing the perspective of a niche specialization will set you apart from your competitors.

Why Some Students Decide NOT to Choose a Concentration

While there are many reasons why one could choose to declare a J.D. concentration, there are just as many reasons why someone might decide not to declare a concentration.

Depending (again) on your interests and your plans for your career after law school, maybe obtaining your J.D. without a concentration is the best choice for you.

For someone who may be looking to practice law in a more rural area, having a broader knowledge of legal practice could be to your benefit. In most cases, smaller towns or cities tend to have more general attorneys than they do legal specialists, mainly due to the demographics of the area. 

There will be a much greater need for general legal aid in rural areas than there will be for a Sports Lawyer, for example. 

Additionally, if you are someone who prefers to have broader knowledge of legal practice, then maybe choosing a J.D. concentration isn’t the best choice for you, personally.

For some, being able to reach as many people as possible with their legal expertise is important, so making this distinction is very important in trying to weigh your options when it comes to declaring a concentration for your J.D. program.

In Summary

Choosing a J.D. concentration is a very important decision that requires thorough contemplation and weighing all of your options. Not everyone wants to be a general practice lawyer, and not everyone wants to be a specialty lawyer. What’s important is that you make that choice for yourself based on your personal and professional preferences.

Photo of Allie Wilton.

Guest blogger Allie Wilton is an SEO & PPC Specialist at protocol 80, Inc.

CONTACT US

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