How to become a lawyer in the United States

How to become a lawyer in the United States

The specific requirements for becoming a lawyer in the United States vary depending on the state or territory where you decide to practice law. However, the basics are the same across the country. Typically, you will need to graduate from law school and pass a state bar exam to be licensed to practice law in the United States. While it can be a lucrative field, it does require at least 7 years of post-high school education and a lot of hard work. [1]


    1
    Develop your interest in law in high school. You don't have to wait until law school to start building skills and experience that will help you practice law. Join your high school debate or advocacy team and participate in other relevant legal activities. [2]
        It doesn't hurt to take Latin if your school offers it. Many legal terms are in Latin, so knowing the language will give you a warning and save you from having to memorize a bunch of foreign terms.
        Take courses such as criminal justice for electives, if offered. These courses will give you an introduction to the legal issues facing lawyers on a daily basis.
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    2
    Earn a bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university. You generally cannot practice law unless you have a law degree from a law school. To be able to apply to a law school, you must have a bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university. [3]
        Law schools accept students from any department or major. While majors in English, Communication, History, and Political Science are common, many lawyers have degrees in science or technical fields.
        A degree in a scientific or technical field will help you if you want to practice patent law. If you want to work in insurance or health law, a nursing degree can be helpful.
        Maintaining a high GPA will improve your chances of getting into good law and potentially qualify you for scholarships. Most law schools require a GPA of at least 3.0 to be admitted.

    Think ahead. Develop a close relationship with 2-3 professors from the college you want to use as references for law school. If they take more than one course, take all the courses they offer.

    3
    Work part-time in a court or law firm. While in high school and college, if you can find work at a local law firm or courthouse, it will expose you to legal issues and help prepare you for practicing law. If you know what area of ​​law you want to get into, try to find work in that area. [4]
        Don't worry if you don't yet know what area of ​​law you want to practice in. You have plenty of time to decide, and many people don't make their final decision until they're already in law school. Use this time to explore the areas that capture your interest.
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    4
    Take the LSAT during your final year of undergraduate study. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized half-day test. All American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law schools have this test as an entry requirement. The test is offered in June, October and December. Take it as soon as possible. [5]
        The LSAT is a measure of your reading comprehension and verbal reasoning skills. You can get study guides online or at bookstores. There are also preparation classes that you can attend.
        Start studying for the test as soon as possible. Take at least 3 practice tests under simulated test conditions before showing up for the actual test.
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    5
    Apply to several accredited law schools. After obtaining your LSAT scores, you can enroll in the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). This agency coordinates your test results, applications, and letters of recommendation and distributes them to schools on your behalf. You cannot apply to law schools unless you go through this agency. [6]