A common school of thought is that to work in the legal field, you must be a lawyer. This is far from the case (pun intended). Plenty of professionals who help make and enforce laws are not attorneys, from lobbyists and politicians to risk management and legal compliance professionals. You can become one of them.
The need for legal skills in non-lawyer jobs continues to grow, and as long as you can understand your legal system fully, you can work within it. Expertise in law, legislation, and regulation can help expand your career opportunities. The first step is breaking down complex legal concepts into more manageable terms that are easier to understand.
Important Legal Terminology
Knowing legal terminology is imperative to success in your chosen legal field. At first, it might feel like learning a whole new language. Learn these terms to start navigating legal issues.
1. Contract
Legal contracts are agreements between two parties for something, often as relates to goods and services; whenever you purchase a plane ticket or hire someone for an event, you are entering into a contractual agreement with that company. A lease, home purchase, or mortgage is a major contract that most people will sign at some point in their lives.
2. Damages
If you suffer an injury caused by someone else’s wrongful conduct, expenses such as medical bills and lost income may be considered damages, along with compensation for pain and suffering. In a lawsuit, damages are typically assigned a monetary value and may be awarded to the injured party if they prevail in court.
3. Liability
Liability refers to legal responsibility or fault for a particular issue or harm. The party found to be responsible for causing the legal problem is considered liable.
4. Force Majeure
Force majeure is a French term that directly translates to mean “greater force.” In relation to contracts, it refers to an unforeseeable and unavoidable event that prevents the terms of a contract from being carried out, sometimes called “An Act of God.”
A pandemic is a perfect example of a force majeure, as are extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or acts of war. Force majeure generally relieves parties from liability in carrying out the terms of their contract because external forces render the expected terms impossible.
5. Negligence
Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care. In legal terms, negligence occurs when a person or entity owes a duty of care to another party, breaches that duty, and directly causes injury or harm as a result. The injured party must also suffer measurable damages for negligence to be established.
6. Malpractice
Malpractice is essentially professional negligence. It applies to professions such as doctors and lawyers, who are held to a higher standard of care due to the stakes involved; deviating from and breaching that duty of care is considered malpractice. Malpractice can have devastating consequences, including death, jail time, and ruined lives.
7. Plaintiff and Defendant
A lawsuit involves two parties: a plaintiff and a defendant. Plaintiffs are the party who initiates the action and seeks legal justice against the defendant, who, essentially, ‘defends’ themselves against that accusation.
8. Claim
A legal claim is a formal statement that someone has been harmed or wronged and is seeking a legal remedy under the law. It serves as the foundation of a lawsuit by explaining what happened, how the law was violated, who is responsible, and what compensation or relief is being requested.
9. Lawsuit
Lawsuits occur if the person with a claim is bringing it forward to court. The plaintiff seeks compensation, enforcement of a right, or resolution of a dispute.
McGeorge Gets You Through The Door
Becoming familiar with the basics of legal terminology is a great start, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re considering a career in law but don’t want to become an attorney or attend traditional law school, obtaining an advanced degree gives you a well-rounded knowledge of legal topics and allows you to participate in and inform legal discussions. Earn an advanced legal degree to advance your career.
McGeorge School of Law offers a versatile Master of Science in Law degree (MSL) for those seeking advanced legal training without needing a JD. This customizable degree equips professionals in business, government, healthcare, human resources, and other fields with essential legal reasoning skills to navigate evolving laws and regulations.
McGeorge School of Law’s MSL program offers concentrations in Business Law, Government Law and Policy, Health, Human Resources, and Water and Environmental Law. The Business Law, Government Law and Policy, and Water and Environmental Law concentrations are fully online, while Health and Human Resources offer some on-campus course options, providing students with the flexibility to expand their knowledge and career opportunities without sacrificing life obligations. It’s the ideal, practical choice for busy professionals looking to level up in their field.
McGeorge faculty work closely with each student to develop their skills through real-world case studies, skills-based learning, and experiential opportunities. Students also collaborate with a cohort of professionals from diverse industries, creating invaluable networking opportunities. McGeorge graduates go on to become and work as:
- Analysts
- Regulatory compliance officers
- Human resources representatives
- Program coordinators and managers
- Contracts and grants officers
- Management consultants
- Government officials and public agency staff
- Courtroom clerks
- Healthcare practitioners
- Legislative aides
- Legislative directors
- Lobbyists
- Environmental engineers
- Public information officers
- Journalists or policy reporters
- Land use planners
- Policy advocates
- Compliance professionals
- And so much more.
Applying to the McGeorge MSL could be your next best career move. Interested in getting started? Contact our admissions office today.