Is Lawyer the career for me?

Lawyer Career Requirements

• Answer:

  Lawyers serve an important role within the U.S. court system. Lawyers can act as officers of the court, aiding in law enforcement by prosecuting criminals. Lawyers can also represent clients in private lawsuits, or defend criminals to ensure that everyone gets the constitutional right to a fair trial. Because of the importance of their role in society and because of the intricacies of the law, it is important that lawyers have sufficient education and experience. Bachelor's Degree A prospective lawyer in the United States must obtain a bachelor's degree. There is no required major before attending law school, but many students major in some type of pre-law field, or in philosophy or English. Those who wish to become patent lawyers or intellectual property lawyers may benefit from a degree in computer science, biology or engineering. Maintaining a high grade-point average is essential because admission is competitive and your GPA is one factor that schools consider when determining if you will be an acceptable candidate. LSAT The Law School Admission Test is a prerequisite. Scored on a 180-point scale, the LSAT tests a student's problem-solving ability and reasoning skills in three sections: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logic puzzles. Law School Prospective lawyers must also attend a law school approved by the American Bar Association. When attending full-time, law school takes three years to complete. You take a broad array of general courses, including criminal law, civil procedure, contract law and constitutional law. Some schools provide specializations, such as business or public policy law. Bar Exam The final requirement before becoming a lawyer is to pass the bar exam in the state in which you want to practice. The bar exam is a multi-day, closed-book exam in which you must write essays and answer multiple choice questions. To be eligible, you must have a law degree and pass a moral character test in which you undergo a background check to determine your fitness for acting as an officer of the court. Upon passing your bar exam, you are sworn in and you can officially practice law.