2 answers
Jozlyn Johnson
Student
Chesapeake, Virginia
11
Questions
Updated
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What are some requirements to become a lawyer?
I am 17 going on 18 but i want to be a lawyer when i grow up. I watch a whole lot of criminal injustice television shows for example;Law and Order,Criminal Minds, and NCIS. Those are like my top three television shows that i adore if i could i would watch them all day long. y mom tells me that since i watch television shows all the time like i do i should become a lawyer and ever since then that's what i would like to do in my future. #lawyers #law
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2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Becoming a lawyer Jozlyn typically requires students to earn an undergraduate degree and attend an accredited law school. The education path typically takes a total of seven years to complete, including four years of undergraduate coursework and three years of law school. After earning their lawyer degrees, lawyers must pass their state's bar exam and complete any other requirements necessary to be licensed before they can practice law. Some lawyers choose to specialize in a particular area of law by earning further degrees.
Law school is the centerpiece of the education requirements for a lawyer. Schooling for lawyers starts with completing a bachelor's degree program, followed by taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), as these two steps are key to applying to law schools. Prior to admission to law school, an applicant typically must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Law school typically takes around three years to complete. Furthermore, during law school, many students are hired for paid or unpaid clerkships or internships, which help to prepare them for the practical aspects of law practice and allow one to train to be a lawyer.
Good Luck Jozlyn
A bachelor's degree is required for admission into law school. Although the American Bar Association (ABA) notes that there are no specific undergraduate majors that best prepares aspiring lawyers for law school, it suggests that students complete coursework that stresses problem-solving, writing, critical reading, research, and oral communication. Accordingly, students may consider completing courses in English, political science, business, economics, and mathematics.
Internships at law firms (or in criminal law, at district attorney's or public defender's offices) are another valuable way for law students to gain real-world experience that can improve their employment prospects. The same is true of working as a clerk for a judge, though clerkships may be open only to those who already have a law degree. Any real-world legal work open to law students can help pave the path to employment later.
Law school is the centerpiece of the education requirements for a lawyer. Schooling for lawyers starts with completing a bachelor's degree program, followed by taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), as these two steps are key to applying to law schools. Prior to admission to law school, an applicant typically must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Law school typically takes around three years to complete. Furthermore, during law school, many students are hired for paid or unpaid clerkships or internships, which help to prepare them for the practical aspects of law practice and allow one to train to be a lawyer.
Good Luck Jozlyn
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Thank you so much for answering my question and i look forward to doing law. Nobody has ever told me the requirements to become a lawyer i appreciate that so much!
Jozlyn Johnson
Your welcome Jozlyn. The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.
Doc Frick
I appreciate that!
Jozlyn Johnson
Thank You Breanna. What we do today can change all the tomorrow's of our lives.
Doc Frick
Thank you for your continued support Kim. The past is our LESSON. The present is our GIFT. Our MOTIVATION is the future.
Doc Frick
Thank You Dhairya. You never know when one act, or one word of encouragement can change a life forever.
Doc Frick
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Jozlyn,
If you can find it, please watch the original movie, 12 Angry Men, with Henry Fonda. Also please watch "Erin Brockovich." Why? Because they give you a more realistic picture of law. TV glamorizes it. Law is a lot of research and writing. Something like 99% of cases settle out of court. You might have preliminary motions heard before the court, but, by the time it's "showtime," people start settling. Sadly, this also results in innocent people taking guilty pleas.
Given your other question about CPS, I'd encourage you to look into volunteer opportunities with CASA. I don't know how old you have to be, or if a formal education is required. This would put you working with children AND involved with the legal system! I'm pretty sure they have an office in Chesapeake. CASA is the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. CASA is a child advocacy organization that seeks to provide trained volunteers to speak for abused and neglected children who are the subjects of juvenile court proceedings. CASA volunteers advocate for safe, permanent homes for children. CASA began in 1977 in Seattle, Washington by Judge David Soukup who saw the need for more information on cases involving children in his court. The social services and legal systems were overburdened and CASA was created to assist in obtaining information and providing follow up monitoring of court orders.
Prior to law school, get involved in speech and debate. Learn Grammar. Interpreting legal statutes requires a good understanding of grammar! If you don't have enough public speaking opportunities, consider joining the Toastmistress/Toastmasters group, which will help you with your public speaking.
I encourage you to major in whatever subject interests you. You should have an alternative plan - what do you want to do if you don't go to law school? It sounds like you might major in Criminal Justice or Sociology. Study hard and get good grades!
Good luck!
Kim
If you can find it, please watch the original movie, 12 Angry Men, with Henry Fonda. Also please watch "Erin Brockovich." Why? Because they give you a more realistic picture of law. TV glamorizes it. Law is a lot of research and writing. Something like 99% of cases settle out of court. You might have preliminary motions heard before the court, but, by the time it's "showtime," people start settling. Sadly, this also results in innocent people taking guilty pleas.
Given your other question about CPS, I'd encourage you to look into volunteer opportunities with CASA. I don't know how old you have to be, or if a formal education is required. This would put you working with children AND involved with the legal system! I'm pretty sure they have an office in Chesapeake. CASA is the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. CASA is a child advocacy organization that seeks to provide trained volunteers to speak for abused and neglected children who are the subjects of juvenile court proceedings. CASA volunteers advocate for safe, permanent homes for children. CASA began in 1977 in Seattle, Washington by Judge David Soukup who saw the need for more information on cases involving children in his court. The social services and legal systems were overburdened and CASA was created to assist in obtaining information and providing follow up monitoring of court orders.
Prior to law school, get involved in speech and debate. Learn Grammar. Interpreting legal statutes requires a good understanding of grammar! If you don't have enough public speaking opportunities, consider joining the Toastmistress/Toastmasters group, which will help you with your public speaking.
I encourage you to major in whatever subject interests you. You should have an alternative plan - what do you want to do if you don't go to law school? It sounds like you might major in Criminal Justice or Sociology. Study hard and get good grades!
Good luck!
Kim