4 answers
Mia
Student
Joliet, Illinois
3
Questions
Asked
531 views
how many years does it take to become a lawyer?
i wanted to know this because i always thought it took a really long time an didnt know if i should study something else at the same time #college #lawyer #time-management
Login to comment
4 answers
Desiree Giler Mann
Attorney
166
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Desiree’s Answer
Hi Mia - First, you need to do well in High School, to get admitted to university for a "Bachelor's Degree" (often referred to as an "undergraduate degree"). This is typically a 4-year program. You need good grades with your Bachelor's Degree and a strong LSAT score. You can study anything you want as an undergrad - but it's best to have something that relates to your future practice of law. History, Political Science, English are common undergrad majors for law students. But I went to law school with a veterinarian (law would be his second career), and I myself have I biology and marine science degree (I practice environmental law). So you can study something else as an undergrad - just be prepared to explain how it will make you a strong law student and/or lawyer!
Next, with good grades from University and strong LSAT score, you start applying to law school to earn a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree. This is typically a 3-year program. One thing that matters a lot to future employment is getting into a so-called a high or top tier law school. Play close attention to the ranking and accreditation of potential law schools, because they are a huge determining factor of future employment. A low ranked law school - or one that looses its accreditation - could leave you burdened with student debt and few employment prospects. Again, getting good grades matters a lot to prospective employers, with students at the top of the class competing (with all the top students at all the top law schools) for jobs after graduation. Many students strive to get a paid internship the summer before their final year at law school at a law firm -- a so-called "summer associate" position -- to get "real world" experience and to see if the firm is a good fit. Successful summer associates may get early job offers (pending law school graduation and passing the bar exam). The last semester of law school, graduating students who haven't already secured a job trying to get offers for jobs - on top of their studies.
Once you graduate with your JD, most states require you pass an ethics exam (typically "easy" if you've made it through law school), the infamous 2-day Bar Exam (hard, I'm not going to lie it was the hardest test ever in my entire life) as well as a "character and fitness" interview with a practicing attorney. Each state has its own standards and requirements for what a passing score is on the Bar Exam and how much the multi-state/multiple choose portion of the exams weighs against the written essay portion of the test.
Once you have all of these steps, you are "admitted to the Bar". Afterwards, most states require you to take "Continuing Legal Education" classes and volunteer at/contribute to legal clinics for the whole time you are a practicing attorney.
Research on-line law school admission criteria & curriculum to align your undergraduate studies
Next, with good grades from University and strong LSAT score, you start applying to law school to earn a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree. This is typically a 3-year program. One thing that matters a lot to future employment is getting into a so-called a high or top tier law school. Play close attention to the ranking and accreditation of potential law schools, because they are a huge determining factor of future employment. A low ranked law school - or one that looses its accreditation - could leave you burdened with student debt and few employment prospects. Again, getting good grades matters a lot to prospective employers, with students at the top of the class competing (with all the top students at all the top law schools) for jobs after graduation. Many students strive to get a paid internship the summer before their final year at law school at a law firm -- a so-called "summer associate" position -- to get "real world" experience and to see if the firm is a good fit. Successful summer associates may get early job offers (pending law school graduation and passing the bar exam). The last semester of law school, graduating students who haven't already secured a job trying to get offers for jobs - on top of their studies.
Once you graduate with your JD, most states require you pass an ethics exam (typically "easy" if you've made it through law school), the infamous 2-day Bar Exam (hard, I'm not going to lie it was the hardest test ever in my entire life) as well as a "character and fitness" interview with a practicing attorney. Each state has its own standards and requirements for what a passing score is on the Bar Exam and how much the multi-state/multiple choose portion of the exams weighs against the written essay portion of the test.
Once you have all of these steps, you are "admitted to the Bar". Afterwards, most states require you to take "Continuing Legal Education" classes and volunteer at/contribute to legal clinics for the whole time you are a practicing attorney.
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
Darren Parke
Product Manager
3
Answers
Trappe, PA
Updated
Darren’s Answer
Career paths can vary but generally speaking it takes 7 years to become a lawyer. Four years of undergraduate study (college) and 3 years of law school. Once you graduate from law school you will need to pass the Bar Exam before you can practice law.
Lisa Bruno-Herline
Attorney
17
Answers
Canton, Michigan
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Hi Mia,
You need a Bachelor's Degree (4 years) and then a JD from law school (another 3 years). After law school you need to take the bar exam in the state you want to practice in and pass that. I recommend taking a bar review course after you graduate from law school at least 2 months before you take the bar exam. It may seem like a long time, but it goes by fast.
Also, when in college you can do joint programs or a minor and major (for example business administration prelaw and journalism). Also many schools offer joint JD and MBA programs if you wanted to study something else at the same time.
Good Luck!
Lisa
You need a Bachelor's Degree (4 years) and then a JD from law school (another 3 years). After law school you need to take the bar exam in the state you want to practice in and pass that. I recommend taking a bar review course after you graduate from law school at least 2 months before you take the bar exam. It may seem like a long time, but it goes by fast.
Also, when in college you can do joint programs or a minor and major (for example business administration prelaw and journalism). Also many schools offer joint JD and MBA programs if you wanted to study something else at the same time.
Good Luck!
Lisa
Miriam Wen
Legal
2
Answers
Foster City, California
Updated
Miriam’s Answer
• In the US, 3 years studying at an accredited school plus studying and sitting for a bar exam (unless doing a part-time program);
• Or in some states, you can do an apprenticeship, plus sitting and studying for the bar exam, a la Kim Kardashian;
• JD/MBA is a 4-year full time program.
• Or in some states, you can do an apprenticeship, plus sitting and studying for the bar exam, a la Kim Kardashian;
• JD/MBA is a 4-year full time program.