Your ultimate guide on becoming a lawyer 

High school students often dream of pursuing a career in law. Some strongly care about social justice, and others want to stand up for those who can’t defend themselves. And some simply want to work for a large law company and make money.

Whichever the case, lawyers have a unique privilege: they can uphold law rules and advocate for the public good. But the path to a law career can be confusing and challenging. 

If you’re an aspiring lawyer, this guide will help you understand what it takes to succeed in this field and what career options you have. 

What does a lawyer do? 

More often than not, people see lawyers as tough defenders wearing sharp suits. They glamorise them based on the images they see on TV. And while it’s true that some lawyers prosecute and defend criminals, many of them get involved in everyday life events, like counselling, negotiating, buying homes, and advocating. Lawyers work for non-profit organisations, government agencies, and law companies. And they can even have their private businesses. 

Their purpose is to help individuals decipher rulings, laws, and regulations, both personally and professionally. Lawyers’ duties may include giving advice to clients or representing them in the courtroom, preparing legal documents, conducting depositions, interviewing witnesses, and conducting trials. 

What skills do you need to become a lawyer?

To become a lawyer, you need a wide range of interpersonal and academic skills. Most people know that debating and analytical skills are critical for lawyers, but there are other essential skills that may not be so evident.

Logical thinking

Lawyers should be able to bring facts to the law. They should examine a situation and identify if a specific rule applies. Plus, they should also look for exceptions that may apply to the rule. They need logic skills to find fault in the other party’s arguments. The Law School Admission Test includes a significant portion of logic games. And that’s not surprising since attorneys should be able to develop logical arguments and reason and evaluate those of others. 

Patience

Throughout their career, lawyers receive good news and bad news. They have to negotiate with the other counsel cordially. The wheels of justice don’t always turn fast enough sometimes, so lawyers have to be patient and ride out these ups and downs. 

Verbal and written communication skills

A significant part of a lawyer’s duty is to understand and analyse considerable amounts of information. They should be able to read quickly and identify critical details of their case. Next, they have to communicate this information efficiently by writing it down. Some legal areas rely on speaking, while others lean fully on writing. However, every lawyer should have excellent writing and communication skills. You can visit congrapps for interview help and they will help you to demonstrate the required skills during law firm interviews. 

Technology skills 

Lawyers should also leverage technology. Whether they work for a government agency or in private practice, lawyers should know how to use different software systems. Law firms generally manage bill clients and files using a case management system. As an attorney, you will likely have to type and use a software system to prepare documents. Thus, it’s critical to hone these skills so that you can work with the systems efficiently. 

What types of law careers are there?

To choose a specialisation, law students generally ask themselves if they want to help individual clients or work in a corporation. The most common legal professions students choose are those of barristers or solicitors. If you select any of these two specialisations, you’ll get to represent clients in the court. 

Plus, becoming a solicitor can be very rewarding because you get to help clients who experience challenging situations. Knowing you can support and ease their burden will likely be fulfilling and give you a sense of purpose. For instance, personal injury solicitors are in high demand, and if you become one, you can also get in touch with clients online. You can create a website, similar to Accident Claims Advice, where you can provide advice to clients.  

Regardless of the type of law career you choose, you should keep in mind that each of them has its challenges, perks, and expectations. Here are the different specialisations you can choose:

• Family Lawyer;
• Criminal Lawyer;
• Corporate Lawyer;
• Immigration Lawyer;
• Bankruptcy Lawyer;
• Estate Lawyer;
• General Practice Lawyer;
• Personal Injury Lawyer.

What steps do you have to take to become a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer requires extensive education and testing. Here are the steps you have to take to practice in this industry:

Get a bachelor’s degree

You need a bachelor’s degree to be admitted to law school, and students usually major in economics, political science, English, philosophy and criminal justice. 

Your undergraduate degree should give you a solid and extensive base of knowledge, and it’s vital to spend your time taking classes that will help you in your future practice. For instance, if you want to specialise in corporate law, you must take several business courses. 

Pass the Law School Admission Test

Once you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree, the next step is to pass the LSAT or Law School Admission Test. The score you get on this test allows admission officers to assess your knowledge objectively, and the examination consists of five multiple-choice question sections. 

The sections cover topics like critical thinking, reading comprehension and argumentation, and each of them has to be completed in about 35 minutes. Before taking the LSAT, it’s essential to prepare by reviewing materials and checking your knowledge through tests. 

Start applying to law schools

After receiving your LSAT scores, it’s time to apply to law schools. Students usually apply to various law schools because that ensures they aren’t restricted to just one option. All the applications you send will require you to submit LSAT scores, official transcripts, letters of recommendation and other extra information. 

Many schools look for candidates with exceptional LSAT scores and extracurricular activities. Thus, volunteering or completing an internship at a law firm can increase your admission chances. 

Get a Juris Doctor degree

After graduating from law school, you have to earn a Juris Doctor degree. Completing a doctorate in law takes approximately three years, and each school has a specific curriculum and guidelines regarding graduation. 

During the first two years, the coursework will focus on general studies. In the final year, you can choose your courses depending on the area of law you want to specialise in. You can expect to take courses like criminal law, international law, constitutional law, civil law, torts, courtroom procedures, property and real estate law.  

Pass the bar examination

After completing all the steps mentioned above, there’s one last thing you have to do: pass the bar examination. While this varies depending on the state, the bar exam generally takes two days – during the first one, you have to take the Multistate Bar Examination, while there’s a written exam on the second day. 

To succeed in the bar exam, you have to study intensively. So, make sure to set a schedule that you commit to throughout several months. Also, find some materials and a quality test preparation course to help you practice for the actual bar exam. 

Final thoughts

Becoming a lawyer requires extensive study, a specific set of skills, and above all, passion and determination. It’s a challenging yet exciting journey. But with hard work and patience, you will achieve your dream of being a lawyer.