This article was originally published in the July/Aug 2021 issue of San Diego Lawyer Magazine.
By Alejandro Daniel Echeverria
It is common to see people with majors such as History, English, Philosophy, and Political Science pursue a career in the legal field. The practice of law and these undergrad degrees have similar foundations as they focus on reading, writing, and the analytical interpretation of words. On the other hand, only a small percentage of students who pursue a career in law have backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). This may not be shocking given that STEM majors rely upon numbers and formulas rather than words.
But why not have both law and STEM expertise?
Prior to entering law school, my greatest concern was the amount of reading and writing. After all, it is not surprising that engineers prefer technical tasks rather than writing tasks. The basis for STEM degrees relies on more technical assignments that require brief drafting of explanations that can easily be understood by fellow professionals. Astoundingly, I have learned in my first year of law school that professors have a similar approach to engineering problems: concise and to the point. Another common approach is finding the most efficient solution, among many, to a problem. I believe that law school’s approach should be communicated to STEM majors to attract qualified candidates and benefit the legal community as a whole. Just as I was surprised, those with STEM expertise would also be happy to know how these areas interrelate.
What are some benefits that can be predicted from an increase of lawyers with STEM backgrounds?
In this evolving world, it is hard to keep up with technological advances. As we continue to use technology to interact with each other in a globalized world, STEM-related disputes will continue to rise. Often, the understanding of technology becomes an issue to lawyers who lack the expertise that those with STEM backgrounds possess. These skill sets may be different from what a typical law student required in the past. Now, everything is becoming tech and data-driven.
Therefore, having legal and STEM expertise can significantly improve the services provided to clients where such an understanding is required. Additionally, legislation and policy efficiency concerning STEM matters will benefit if lawyers are able to foresee the technicalities and impacts of new legislative amendments and restrictions.
Lastly, I see the merge of these careers as an advantage and a necessity due to the technological revolution we are experiencing. Having a STEM background has been a door-opener for me; my previous thoughts about law school have completely changed after my first year at California Western School of Law, and now I understand how these careers complement each other. Let’s encourage STEM majors to pursue legal degrees!