How to Become a Lawyer?

If you are interested in being a lawyer, then naturally you need to know how to become a lawyer. Comparatively, this is easier than you might imagine, but it does take a lot of time, determination, patience, self motivation, hard work, and effort. A lot of people dream of becoming a lawyer, but when it gets right down to it, they get overwhelmed by the steps they have to follow in order to do so. There is no reason for that. It is a long journey fraught with hard work, but it is well worth the effort. Not only will you be fulfilling your dream, but you will be providing a much needed service to people who need your help, your knowledge, and your expertise.

First of all, it is imperative that you do your research, so that you can find out what it actually means to be a lawyer, to work in a legal capacity. You need to research what kinds of employment opportunities will be realistically available to you. You need to figure out exactly how much schooling you will need, what kind of tests you will have to take, what certificates and licenses you have to have in order to be able to practice. It would not hurt to talk to lawyers who are currently practicing to see how they feel about their jobs as well.

Needless to say, you absolutely have to have a four year degree. In undergraduate school, the university has to be recognized and accredited. The higher your GPA (or grade point average) when you graduate, the better. Typically, it does not really matter what you major in, although some majors are more helpful than others. English, philosophy, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, even anthropology can be extremely helpful in continuing on for your law degree.

You have to take the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, before applying to or getting into a law school. It is required for admissions. Taking a prep course is recommended, because the test can be very difficult. You should pick out the law schools you want to go to, in order to find out their specific LSAT score requirements.

It is better to apply to three or more law schools, no less than three. You always need a plan B and a fallback. Make sure that the schools you choose to apply to are recognized by the American Bar Association, or the ABA.

Law courses typically last three years. As you go through the course, you should join as many extracurricular activities as you can handle. Internships are a good idea, as is the Bar Review. Writing for you school's law journal is a good idea as well. During your schooling, you also need to choose a specialty.

Once you have earned your Juris Doctor, or J.D., degree, you still have to pass the Bar Exam in the state where you wish to practice. Each state will have different criteria. Often, even after passing the Bar, you may have to serve as a clerk or in some other capacity before you can actually be a practicing lawyer.