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A question about the length of schooling to become a lawyer

How long does it take to get a law degree? #law #lawyer #law-school #attorney

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Lisa’s Answer

You need a 4 year Bachelors degree and then law school is 3 more years. After you graduate law school you would then need to pass the bar exam in the state where you want to practice. Even though it seems like a long time, it is not and goes by very fast. Being a lawyer is very rewarding and you will have many career options once you get your law degree.

Good Luck !!
Lisa
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Ashton’s Answer

It takes 7 years total--4 years of undergrad followed by 3 years of law school. You have a wide selection of majors to choose from for undergrad, since there isn't a particular major you must take in order to be admitted to law school. Some type of legal studies or political science major may help you prepare more, although a major such as journalism helps with writing. Likewise, science majors help in patent law, criminal justice would help in an advocacy track, etc. If you have an idea of what you want to do, that will help you choose a major, but if not, choose something you enjoy and would excel in, because your GPA will be paramount in the admissions process.
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Kim’s Answer

The normal course of study is 4 years to receive a Bachelors degree, followed by three years of law school. While attending undergrad school, you will take an exam, called the LSAT, which is used for law school admissions. The test is nothing like you've ever seen before. There is a section called the "logic games" that you will need to learn how to do prior to the test. There are study materials available, as well as study courses you can pay to take.

good luck!
Kim
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Joseph’s Answer

Learning never ends. While the length of formal education is seven years (four years undergrad + three years for law school), once you complete law school, lawyers must provide "competent representation" (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_1_competence/), which generally will not occur right out of law school. Young lawyers will work many years under the direct supervision of a very senior attorney, and even after a lawyer is able to work independently, lawyers will continue to teach themselves with seminars, workshops, and self-study of new laws.
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Richard’s Answer

To go to law school, you need to get an undergraduate degree. College grades matter to get into law school so you will want to do well. The LSAT is the law school admission test. There are prep books or you can take a course. Law school is 3 years. You can take the Bar exam after 2.5 years though and then finish school. The Bar is offered in February and July.
Thank you comment icon Depending on your state (and it's possible I just may not know), I've never heard of being able to take a bar before finishing law school, because you have to have your JD to sit for the bar. You can apply to law school with an undergraduate bachelors degree (which you may finish early), study for and sit for the LSAT (which your score will greatly affect what schools you can get in to), then finish law school in three years or more (depending on part time vs. full time). Get as much experience as you can both in and outside of law school (clinics, practical experience, interning, etc) because any experience will help you with developing your answers on the bar AND getting that elusive first job!! I graduated from RWU Law, so am happy to answer any more questions you have. Good luck! Jackie Stringer
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charles’s Answer

Hi Mya,

After obtaining a 4-year college degree, you will need to take the LSAT, attend law school, take the Bar Exam of the state or states where you want to practice law, and send out resumes to seek a permanent position as a lawyer with a firm, a governmental agency, or company that hires attorneys to work "in-house" for them, like I do. Lawyers work in civil or criminal litigation, family law (e.g., adoption, divorce litigation), "transactional" law (real estate and business deals, tax law, patent work (for the scientific-minded), incorporate businesses, draft contracts, wills & trusts etc.

I highly recommend a legal career for those who love to read, write, debate, and think creatively, pulling together many diverse facts and issues. Collegiate majors in Government, History, Philosophy, English Literature and other liberal arts fields that require essay exams and writing papers, are excellent preparation for a legal career. One doesn't need to be a "Pre-Law" major. (I majored in Government.)

Prior to working in the field of Workers' Compensation for the past 31 years, I spent 5 years in a business litigation firm, which involved litigating business disputes in civil court, primarily with Judge Trials, not Jury Trials. That job involved spending much more time conducting legal research and preparing and answering "written discovery" - legal documents that require parties to answer questions and produce requested documents, as well as admit or deny facts, all under oath. I began my career by spending 4 years as an insurance claims adjuster and supervisor in the areas of general liability (car accidents, slip and falls, product liability) and workers' compensation.

Good luck to you as you complete school and figure out the best career path for you.
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Job’s Answer

You must complete college, take the LSAT first. Law school can be completed in as little as 3 years or can be up to 5-6 years if not full time. It depends on your situation and ability to take in information,
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Jonathan’s Answer

It will take you three years to get a JD and that and a license is all you need. graduate law programs will take another year. Also there are degrees like the JSD that some schools offer which lead to an academic career.
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Mariana’s Answer

Hello Mya,

The short answer is around 5 to 7 years.

During this time, aspiring lawyers must fulfill specific educational and licensure requirements. But let me tell you some things you should consider for becoming a lawyer:

1. The challenging years of law school
The process of becoming a lawyer isn’t for the faint of heart. This breaks down to four years for a Bachelor’s degree, law schools are highly competitive to gain acceptance, and aspiring lawyers will need to pass the daunting LSAT to prove their worth—a process that can take a full year of study and preparation, depending on the country you live in.

Once a student is accepted into law school, those three years are devoted to rigorous full-time schooling and on-the-job training programs like clerkships or internships. After students finally reach graduation day, they still face long nights hitting the books as they study to pass their state’s bar exam. Needless to say, becoming a lawyer isn’t a get-rich-quick scenario.

2. The cost of education
A lawyer’s high earning potential is tough to ignore, you need to check the school you like and calculate the total cost of studying there.

3. The potentially shaky job prospects
It’s not so easy to find a job as a lawyer, right? growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all the graduating law school students.

This can create a very difficult situation for those who take on substantial student loan debt to pursue their law career. New lawyers may get stuck in an area of practice they don’t enjoy simply because they need to earn money, which can in turn lead to reduced job satisfaction.

4. A sometimes stressful work environment

Lawyers often have demanding schedules and heavy workloads, which may contribute to increased stress levels. High stress is a big factor in job satisfaction, not to mention that chronic stress places workers at risk for heart disease, anxiety and depression.

Hope this could help you.

Mariana
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