Introduction: A Missed Opportunity in Plain Sight

Across the country, city and county governments face an urgent challenge: attracting innovative, skilled, and mission-driven professionals into public service. As seasoned leaders retire and talent pipelines tighten, municipalities must look beyond traditional recruitment channels. One untapped pool of highly skilled candidates is law school graduates.

While not every JD chooses to practice law, legal training equips graduates with advanced analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills that translate directly into the work of local government. This is where the concept of JD Advantage careers comes in. These are roles that do not require a law license but strongly benefit from the skills developed in law school.

Why JDs Fit Local Government Needs

JD graduates bring a unique set of competencies:

• The ability to analyze complex ordinances, regulations, and policies.
• Strong research, writing, and persuasive communication skills for policy development and public engagement.
• Training in negotiation, conflict resolution, and critical decision-making for labor relations and community disputes.
• An understanding of constitutional principles for safeguarding due process and civil rights.

These capabilities are invaluable as municipalities navigate increasingly complex legal, financial, and ethical challenges. JD-trained professionals add immediate value to areas such as public administration, urban planning and development, risk management, contract management, human resources, labor relations, and compliance.

Yet many local governments remain unaware of how well these skills align with their workforce needs or how to access this talent pipeline. As one city manager observed, “We need to change the narrative on a nationwide level. People look at government and see some form of evil, too big, wasteful, slow, inequitable. Those things can all be true, but there is a core piece of government which is a net good thing and can make you feel really good about contributing to your community.”

Insights and Voices from the Field: Legal Minds Currently in Local Government

Kelli Bourgeois, city manager, Bristol, Tennessee—Kelli pursued her JD while already working in local government. Initially drawn to land development negotiations, she soon discovered her true calling in public service. She stated, “My legal knowledge, and more so the way law school teaches you to think and analyze issues, helps me in my career every single day,” she says. “Whether it’s reviewing contracts, addressing HR issues, or understanding constitutional law, there are countless legal ‘nuggets’ I draw on as a city manager.”

Timothy Frenzer, interim village manager, Northfield, Illinois—Timothy’s journey and commitment to public service began during law school internships with the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. His career evolved from litigation to nearly three decades as corporation counsel and later village manager in Wilmette, Illinois. He shared that, “When a lawyer takes on a case, their job is to take a complicated and often chaotic set of facts and create order. That’s also what a city manager does every day,” he explains. Legal training gave him a foundation in zoning, land use, labor relations, and risk management—skills essential to effective municipal leadership.

Chris Hayward, assistant director, Gwinnett County Planning and Development—Chris’s local government career began with an informational interview
with a county chief operating officer. His JD training continues to serve him daily. Chris says, “Ordinances, policies, and regulations create the framework for the services we deliver in local government. I use the skills I developed in law school regularly to navigate that framework, solve problems, and drive improvement.”

Building and Bridging the Gap: Law Schools as Talent Partners

One of the most effective ways to access JD talent is through direct partnerships with law school career and professional development (CPD) offices. These departments specialize in preparing students for diverse career paths, not just traditional practice, and can help local governments identify and attract motivated, public-service-oriented candidates.

For hiring managers, this means:

Understanding the JD talent pipeline: Career development offices can share data and connect employers with JD students interested in public service. 

Designing meaningful entry points: Externships, fellowships, and clerkships in city and county offices can attract students while meeting short-term needs. These short-term placements offer mutual benefits: students gain experience and governments get support. 

Collaborating on skill alignment: Law schools can tailor programming, such as workshops on municipal finance or land use, to prepare graduates for government careers.

Engaging alumni: JD-trained professionals already in government are eager to mentor and guide new graduates.

As one law school career advisor summarized, “Collaborating with law schools allows local governments to shape the next generation of leaders while providing
students with practical, mission-driven experience.”

Looking Ahead: Innovation, Inclusion, and Policy Shifts

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, combined with evolving federal and state policy, are reshaping local government operations. Meeting these
changes requires adaptable, ethical, and strategic thinkers. JD graduates, trained to analyze complex information and anticipate risk, are uniquely positioned to help municipalities navigate this transformation. 

Final Thoughts: A Call to Action

Local government offers JD graduates the chance to apply their legal education to meaningful, impactful work. Whether managing complex development projects,
negotiating labor agreements, or ensuring compliance with constitutional principles, JD Advantage professionals help municipalities thrive. It is time to recognize JD Advantage professionals not as a niche, but as a vital part of the public sector workforce. By partnering with law schools and reimagining recruitment strategies, municipalities can unlock a new generation of legal talent ready to serve.

CELESTINE OGLESBY, JD, is director for the Office of Professional Development at Ave Maria School of Law.