How to Be Legal Historian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 2, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The Industrial Revolution led to a dramatic increase in the population of cities, which in turn created a surge in demand for goods and services. This increased demand for products and services, coupled with the emergence of new technologies, led to the development of mass production. This new way of producing goods created a need for a new way of regulating the production and sale of these goods, which resulted in the development of laws and regulations surrounding commercial activity. The growth of this body of law, known as commercial law, has had an enormous impact on the global economy, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and safely.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelor's degree in history. You don't necessarily need to specialize in legal history, but taking courses related to law and legal history can be helpful.
Pursue a master's degree in history. Many universities offer master's programs in legal history, but if one is not available, consider a general history program with a focus on legal history.
Consider obtaining a doctorate in legal history. A PhD program in legal history is a great way to gain expertise in the field, and often leads to higher-level positions and research opportunities.
Participate in internships and/or volunteer opportunities related to legal history. This could include spending time at a law firm or government agency, or working with a non-profit organization or historical society.
Become a member of a professional organization related to legal history. Organizations such as the American Society for Legal History and the Association of Legal Historians are great resources for networking and staying up-to-date on news and events related to the field.
Build a portfolio of your research and writing related to legal history. This could include publications, presentations, or other projects youve worked on.
Look for job opportunities in legal history. Legal historian positions can be found at universities, law firms, government agencies, non-profits, museums, and other organizations.

The development of legal history as a scholarly discipline has had a profound impact on the way legal systems are understood and practiced. By studying the evolution of laws over time, legal historians can better understand the context in which laws were created and how they have been interpreted and enforced. Furthermore, legal historians can identify trends in legal decisions and draw on the past to make informed predictions about how future cases might be decided. As a result, being skilled and efficient in this field allows practitioners to better understand and apply the law.

You may want to check Ecclesiastical Historian, Cultural Historian, and Historical Consultant for alternative.

Job Description

Legal Research Historian: Conducts research and analysis on legal topics, issues, and developments to support the work of legal professionals.
Litigation Historian: Tracks, documents, and analyzes legal proceedings and court cases to develop a better understanding of the legal system.
Courtroom Historian: Observes and records court proceedings to document changes in legal processes and procedures.
Historical Document Specialist: Collects, preserves, and interprets historic legal documents for use in research and education.
Legal Education Historian: Develops and implements educational programs on legal topics for lawyers, judges, and the public.
Law Library Historian: Manages and maintains a library of legal materials to support legal research and education.
Policy Analyst Historian: Examines the impact of laws, regulations, and policies on the legal system to inform policy decisions.
Digital Archivist Historian: Preserves, curates, and catalogs digital records related to legal history for access by researchers and the public.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of legal history and legal theory
Ability to analyze legal documents and make sense of their meaning
Understanding of the evolution of legal systems and the development of law
Proficiency in researching legal principles and precedent
Ability to write clearly and effectively about legal topics
Familiarity with research methods and techniques used in historical and legal contexts
Ability to draw connections between historical events and contemporary legal issues
Experience using archives and other primary sources to conduct research
Expertise in using technology to organize, analyze, and present data
Understanding of ethical considerations related to researching and writing about legal history

Legal historians are tasked with the important role of understanding and interpreting the past in order to better inform the present and future. Their research and analyses can be used to pinpoint the cause and effect of legal developments, and to identify patterns or trends in legal history. To fulfill this role, legal historians must possess a range of skills and abilities, such as having an in-depth knowledge of legal systems and their evolution, the ability to conduct research using primary sources, and the capacity for critical analysis.

legal historians must be adept at writing, speaking, and presenting their findings to a variety of audiences. All of these skills are essential for legal historians to effectively interpret the past and provide reliable advice on current and future legal issues.

Documentary Historian, Literary Historian, and Biographical Historian are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to pursue a career in legal history?
How do you think the study of legal history has changed over the years?
What do you think are the most important topics in legal history?
What challenges have you faced in trying to understand the complexities of legal history?
How would you explain legal history to a layperson?
What skills or knowledge do you think are essential for a successful legal historian?
What research methods do you use to study legal history?
What do you think are the benefits of studying legal history?
How have your previous research projects impacted your approach to legal history?
What areas of legal history are you most passionate about?

Common Tools in Industry

Word Processor. Used to create and edit documents, such as reports, memos, and letters (e. g. Microsoft Word).
Database Management Software. Used to store, organize, and manage large amounts of data (e. g. Microsoft Access).
Statistical Software. Used to analyze and visualize data to gain insight (e. g. SPSS).
Image Editing Software. Used to create, edit, and manipulate images (e. g. Photoshop).
Presentation Software. Used to create presentations for meetings, classes, and other events (e. g. PowerPoint).
Reference Management Software. Used to organize and store references for research papers (e. g. EndNote).
Online Research Tools. Used to conduct online searches and access legal resources (e. g. LexisNexis).
Document Comparison Software. Used to compare two versions of a document (e. g. DocuComp).
Case Management Software. Used to organize case files and manage client information (e. g. Clio).
Timekeeping Software. Used to track time spent on tasks, projects, and clients (e. g. Toggl).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Law Libraries
American Bar Association
American Society for Legal History
International Commission for the History of Representative and Parliamentary Institutions
International Society for the History of Law
Legal Information Preservation Alliance
Society of American Law Teachers
Society of Legal Scholars
The Association of American Law Schools

We also have Historian Archivist, Historical Geographer, and Political Historian jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Common Law. A system of law based on court decisions and legal customs, as opposed to statutes created by legislative bodies.
Statutory Law. Laws enacted by a legislature or a governing body, such as state or local governments.
Constitutional Law. The body of law that defines the relationship between different branches of government and citizens.
Case Law. Legal decisions made by judges that set precedents for future cases.
Jurisprudence. The study of the nature, sources, and principles of law and legal systems.
Legal Theory. A field of inquiry that examines how laws should be interpreted and applied in order to achieve justice.
Civil Law. Laws that govern relationships between individuals, businesses, and other entities.
Equity Law. A system of law designed to provide a remedy for situations where the common law does not adequately address a dispute.
International Law. Laws governing relations between countries and other international entities.
Administrative Law. Laws governing the behavior of governmental agencies and their employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Legal Historian?

A Legal Historian is a specialist who studies the development of legal systems, laws, and legal institutions over time.

What does a Legal Historian do?

A Legal Historian studies legal documents, case law, legislation, and other records to understand the evolution of laws and legal systems.

What kind of qualifications do Legal Historians need?

Legal Historians typically need at least a Masters degree in History or a related field, with a focus on the legal system, as well as experience in the field.

How long have Legal Historians been studying law?

Legal Historians have been studying law for centuries, with the earliest known legal historians dating back to the Middle Ages.

What are some of the benefits of studying Legal History?

Studying Legal History can provide a better understanding of how legal systems and laws have evolved over time, and can inform current legal debates and decisions.

Web Resources

Legal History | Harvard University | History Department history.fas.harvard.edu
Legal History | Department of History - University of Virginia history.virginia.edu
Legal History | Columbia Law School www.law.columbia.edu