Becoming a Lawyer
There's no easy route to earning a law degree and practicing the trade, as being an attorney is a major responsibility that affects the lives of many people. Those who enter the field must remain professional, persistent, and stay abreast of current issues and trends influencing the legal system. Most importantly, they must provide quality services to the clients they assist.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, formal training for a lawyer includes four years of undergraduate study, three years of law school, and admission to the bar after passing a written examination. It's important to enroll in a law school that's accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) to ensure that your learning experience meets the highest standards of academic excellence. Becoming involved in a program that isn't recognized by the organization can be detrimental to your future career and prevent you from securing employment in the field. Those who are drawn to the profession are encouraged to take prerequisite courses in speech, history, and foreign languages as early as high school.
Undergraduate Degree
There's no specific pre-law degree to obtain before pursuing law school. However, aspiring attorneys are urged to acquire a variety of solid skills in critical thinking, computer science, philosophy, writing and literature, economics, and history as preparation for the industry. Common undergraduate degrees for aspiring lawyers include a bachelor's in business administration, liberal studies, English, and a variety of interdisciplinary studies.
Law Degree
Admission into law school is extremely competitive. Studying for and passing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a requirement for those who want to enroll. Schools assess candidates based on their LSAT scores, as well as their college transcripts. Previous work experience and the strength of letters of the recommendations by former professors also determine acceptance into a program.
The first half of law school focuses on providing students with the fundamentals of law theories. Core courses in legal writing, contracts, civil procedure, and constitutional law are common. Individuals choose an area of concentration and enroll in classes with an emphasis in labor, corporate, or tax law during the remainder of their program. They learn how to put the principles they've learned into practice by becoming involved in mock trials, writing in their school's legal publications, and volunteering for practicing lawyers in firms or private practices.
Licensure
The United States requires attorneys to be licensed in order to practice the law. They must pass a written bar exam, along with a written ethics exam. Additionally, they're expected to pass a multi-state examination to practice nationwide.
Sources
Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2011). US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
American Bar Association (ABA). (2011).