What to Do When You Become a Lawyer
As a lawyer, you advocate for your clients, negotiate their contracts, sue them on their behalf, and manage their estates. You can work in private law firms, large corporations, or for the government. Depending on your interests, legal careers can be rewarding and fulfilling.
The path to becoming a lawyer is long and often difficult, but it does lead to the opportunity to make a difference in the world. As you consider your career options, keep these questions in mind:
How long does it take to become a lawyer?
A typical legal education involves three years of study at an ABA-accredited law school. Upon completion, you receive your Juris Doctor (JD) degree and are eligible to sit for the state bar exam.
What to Expect When You Go to Law School
During law school, you learn the basic principles of the law in general and more specific topics related to your chosen field. Your curriculum will include courses in torts, contracts, civil procedure, criminal law, and ethics. In addition to these core courses, you can also explore specialized areas like family law, tax law, or environmental law.
What to Do When You Become a Bar Exam Candidate
In nearly every state, you are required to pass the bar examination before you can practice law. This standardized test assesses your ability to apply the law to a variety of situations and is usually administered twice a year. The examination takes about two or three days and requires a lot of preparation.
What to Do When You Want to Get Into Law School
The first step to achieving your goal of becoming a lawyer is to earn a bachelor’s degree. A strong undergraduate GPA and high LSAT scores can improve your chances of getting into a good law school.
Your undergraduate studies should be focused on a discipline that you enjoy and that will help prepare you for the advanced coursework involved in your law school education. Popular majors include English, philosophy, history, political science, and economics. Recommended this site workers compensation lawyer .
What to Do When You Are Ready for Law School
Once you have your bachelor’s degree and the LSAT score, you can apply to an
ABA-approved law school. Many reputable institutions offer prelaw advisors who can help you decide on a major, prepare for the LSAT, and gather letters of recommendation to submit with your application.
What to Do When You are a Licensed Attorney in California
In some states, including California, you can meet the educational requirements for licensing without attending law school. This is called a “legal apprenticeship.†In California, you must complete a certain number of hours under the supervision of a judge or attorney before you can qualify to sit for the bar exam.
What to Do When You Are a Licensed Attorney in New York
If you are an attorney in the state of New York, you must complete 24 hours of continuing legal education within two years of your initial license to renew it. This can be done in-person, online, or through a self-paced program.
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