4 answers
Kinsey
Student
Sioux City, Iowa
2
Questions
Asked
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What is the best route to go about when trying to become a lawyer?
I don’t really have anyone around me that I know in that profession to help and guide me in my career path.
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4 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
657
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
After high school, get your bachelors degree at a university. I usually advise a major in a subject in the social sciences. Definitely aim for good grades.
After getting the bachelors, take the LSAT exam. Applying and get accepted into law school, complete three years, then take the state bar.
After getting the bachelors, take the LSAT exam. Applying and get accepted into law school, complete three years, then take the state bar.
Mackenzie Ward
associate
103
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Mackenzie’s Answer
Becoming a lawyer typically involves several steps, including education, gaining practical experience, and passing the bar exam. Here's a step-by-step guide on the best route to becoming a lawyer:
Earn a Bachelor's Degree:
Start by completing a bachelor's degree program in a field of your choice. While there is no specific undergraduate major required for law school, many aspiring lawyers choose majors in fields like political science, history, English, or pre-law. Maintain a strong GPA during your undergraduate studies.
LSAT (Law School Admission Test):
Prepare for and take the LSAT, a standardized test used for admission to law schools. Your LSAT score, along with your undergraduate GPA, plays a significant role in the law school admission process. Consider enrolling in an LSAT prep course to improve your scores.
Apply to Law Schools:
Research law schools and apply to the ones that align with your career goals and preferences. Submit your applications, including your LSAT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Complete Law School (Juris Doctor, JD):
Once accepted, attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The JD program typically takes three years to complete. During law school, you'll study various aspects of law, including constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law, and legal research and writing.
Gain Practical Experience:
While in law school, seek opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, externships, or clerkships. Participate in moot court or mock trial programs to enhance your advocacy skills.
Bar Review and Bar Exam:
After graduating from law school, you'll need to pass the bar exam in the state where you intend to practice law. This exam tests your knowledge of state-specific and federal law. Many candidates enroll in bar review courses to prepare for the bar exam.
Character and Fitness Evaluation:
Most states require you to undergo a character and fitness evaluation as part of the bar admission process. This includes a background check and an assessment of your moral character and fitness to practice law.
Pass the Bar Exam:
Successfully pass the bar exam in your chosen state. Each state has its own bar exam format and passing score requirements.
Complete Continuing Legal Education (CLE):
After passing the bar exam, you'll typically need to complete a certain number of continuing legal education (CLE) credits each year to maintain your license to practice law.
Find Employment:
Start your legal career by seeking employment as an attorney. You can work in various legal settings, including law firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, or as a solo practitioner.
Consider Specialization:
As you gain experience, you may choose to specialize in a specific area of law, such as criminal law, family law, corporate law, environmental law, or intellectual property law.
Join Professional Associations:
Consider joining professional associations like the American Bar Association (ABA) or state bar associations. These organizations provide resources, networking opportunities, and support for legal professionals.
Continuously Develop Skills and Knowledge:
Stay up-to-date with changes in the law and continue developing your legal skills throughout your career. Attend legal seminars, workshops, and conferences to expand your knowledge and expertise.
Ethical Practice:
Maintain the highest ethical standards in your practice of law, adhering to professional codes of conduct and legal ethics.
Becoming a lawyer is a rigorous process that requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The specific requirements and timelines can vary by jurisdiction, so it's essential to research and follow the requirements of the state or country where you intend to practice law.
Earn a Bachelor's Degree:
Start by completing a bachelor's degree program in a field of your choice. While there is no specific undergraduate major required for law school, many aspiring lawyers choose majors in fields like political science, history, English, or pre-law. Maintain a strong GPA during your undergraduate studies.
LSAT (Law School Admission Test):
Prepare for and take the LSAT, a standardized test used for admission to law schools. Your LSAT score, along with your undergraduate GPA, plays a significant role in the law school admission process. Consider enrolling in an LSAT prep course to improve your scores.
Apply to Law Schools:
Research law schools and apply to the ones that align with your career goals and preferences. Submit your applications, including your LSAT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Complete Law School (Juris Doctor, JD):
Once accepted, attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The JD program typically takes three years to complete. During law school, you'll study various aspects of law, including constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law, and legal research and writing.
Gain Practical Experience:
While in law school, seek opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, externships, or clerkships. Participate in moot court or mock trial programs to enhance your advocacy skills.
Bar Review and Bar Exam:
After graduating from law school, you'll need to pass the bar exam in the state where you intend to practice law. This exam tests your knowledge of state-specific and federal law. Many candidates enroll in bar review courses to prepare for the bar exam.
Character and Fitness Evaluation:
Most states require you to undergo a character and fitness evaluation as part of the bar admission process. This includes a background check and an assessment of your moral character and fitness to practice law.
Pass the Bar Exam:
Successfully pass the bar exam in your chosen state. Each state has its own bar exam format and passing score requirements.
Complete Continuing Legal Education (CLE):
After passing the bar exam, you'll typically need to complete a certain number of continuing legal education (CLE) credits each year to maintain your license to practice law.
Find Employment:
Start your legal career by seeking employment as an attorney. You can work in various legal settings, including law firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, or as a solo practitioner.
Consider Specialization:
As you gain experience, you may choose to specialize in a specific area of law, such as criminal law, family law, corporate law, environmental law, or intellectual property law.
Join Professional Associations:
Consider joining professional associations like the American Bar Association (ABA) or state bar associations. These organizations provide resources, networking opportunities, and support for legal professionals.
Continuously Develop Skills and Knowledge:
Stay up-to-date with changes in the law and continue developing your legal skills throughout your career. Attend legal seminars, workshops, and conferences to expand your knowledge and expertise.
Ethical Practice:
Maintain the highest ethical standards in your practice of law, adhering to professional codes of conduct and legal ethics.
Becoming a lawyer is a rigorous process that requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The specific requirements and timelines can vary by jurisdiction, so it's essential to research and follow the requirements of the state or country where you intend to practice law.
Jenna Zebrowski, JD, MBA
Bilingual JD/MBA with compliance and regulatory experience and real estate (leasing and franchise) expertise
135
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jenna’s Answer
Try talking to your guidance counselor at school, they know you better and can talk about your specific needs and specific path to law school. You could also contact attorneys in your area and ask for an informational interview, and get a chance to visit a law office and ask an attorney what it's actually like to do what they do all day long.
Generally, though, you need to finish high school, complete an undergraduate degree and law school. Some jobs don't require you to pass a bar exam, but many do, and I would recommend taking it to have the credential. These institutions often have guidance counselors or other people in jobs that are specifically designed to help you succeed, even if you don't have other resources to pull on, so don't hesitate to reach out to career counselors, guidance counselors, or other people that can help you do what you want to do.
Finally, grades are very important, so work hard to get good ones. Even if you're not the best in your class, though, you can still have a successful law career, it just might take more work. I also recommend making connections and relationships, they can be very helpful for clients, jobs, or other introductions or resources in the future, and that's how you build your network and meet those people that can guide you on a career path and otherwise. Good luck!
Generally, though, you need to finish high school, complete an undergraduate degree and law school. Some jobs don't require you to pass a bar exam, but many do, and I would recommend taking it to have the credential. These institutions often have guidance counselors or other people in jobs that are specifically designed to help you succeed, even if you don't have other resources to pull on, so don't hesitate to reach out to career counselors, guidance counselors, or other people that can help you do what you want to do.
Finally, grades are very important, so work hard to get good ones. Even if you're not the best in your class, though, you can still have a successful law career, it just might take more work. I also recommend making connections and relationships, they can be very helpful for clients, jobs, or other introductions or resources in the future, and that's how you build your network and meet those people that can guide you on a career path and otherwise. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the advice.
Kinsey
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
392
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
The process is pretty well defined:
1) graduate high school or get equivalency certificate
2) graduate with a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university
3) take the LSAT - usually while still an undergraduate
4) Go to law school
5) pass the Bar exam
1) graduate high school or get equivalency certificate
2) graduate with a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university
3) take the LSAT - usually while still an undergraduate
4) Go to law school
5) pass the Bar exam