3 answers
Amanda
Student
New Jersey, New Jersey
3
Questions
Updated
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What education do I need to become a lawyer?
I'm starting high school next year, but I'm wondering about what I'll need to do after high school. I know I need to go to college, but what degree do I need to have to get into law school? Do I even need to go to law school? After law school is there anything else I need to do education-wise? Also, any advice or tips you have would be great! Thanks!
#high-school #lawyer #law #law-school
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Amanda 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. Applicants wanting to specialize in a particular field of law may consider a bachelor's degree in that field. For example, students who want to become tax attorneys might study accounting, while those interested in environmental law may consider majoring in environmental science. Although the American Bar Association doesn't designate a particular path of study for prospective law students, some colleges and universities have pre-law programs that can supplement majors in political science, history or related fields. In order to enter law school, applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) as undergraduates. Students then submit college transcripts, LSAT scores and completed applications.
Law school generally lasts three years and culminates with a student receiving a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the end of the program, the completion of which shows that someone has the completed the education needed to be a lawyer. There is no mandated or standardized curriculum, but most law schools provide a comprehensive overview of the field, with courses from civil procedure to property law. Students learn legal writing and are taught to conduct research in legal libraries and online. After the first one-and-a-half years, students may begin enrolling in specialized courses like environmental law or bankruptcy law. Students may also apply for externships that allow them to observe and participate in daily legal procedures. Additionally, most programs offer law clinics in a particular field, such as environmental law, in which students work with attorneys to research precedents and meet with clients.
Hope this is helpful Amanda
Communicating skillfully and clearly is important, both in applying to and succeeding in law school. Even in high school, you can start practicing these skills. Sign up for your school's speech and debate team or try out for a play to start practicing your public speaking. Take writing-heavy courses, such as challenging English and history classes, to improve your writing. If your high school has the option of writing a senior thesis or presenting a capstone project, this can help you work on communication skills as well as learn good research techniques, another important skill for undergraduate and law school.
College is difficult, and law school is even harder. Taking challenging courses in high school will help prepare you for the demands of maintaining a high GPA as an undergraduate, which is one of the most important factors for maximizing your chances of law school admission.
Law school generally lasts three years and culminates with a student receiving a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the end of the program, the completion of which shows that someone has the completed the education needed to be a lawyer. There is no mandated or standardized curriculum, but most law schools provide a comprehensive overview of the field, with courses from civil procedure to property law. Students learn legal writing and are taught to conduct research in legal libraries and online. After the first one-and-a-half years, students may begin enrolling in specialized courses like environmental law or bankruptcy law. Students may also apply for externships that allow them to observe and participate in daily legal procedures. Additionally, most programs offer law clinics in a particular field, such as environmental law, in which students work with attorneys to research precedents and meet with clients.
Hope this is helpful Amanda
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Thank you so much for all the information, I really appreciate your help! I hope you have a great day/night!!
Gregg Tiven
Manager - eDiscovery
26
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Gregg’s Answer
The detailed response about what education is required is spot on. However, there is an alternate path in certain states that allows you to replace law school with an apprenticeship. New York, where we both reside, for example, has a hybrid type option that requires certain schooling but not being a law school graduate. California allows you to skip school entirely. I know one attorney who took that approach and became a successful attorney but as someone who went to law school, I would not give up the experience of learning the law and the opportunities law school provided.
Good Luck!
Gregg
Good Luck!
Gregg
Mariana León García
Senior Analyst and Lawyer
26
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Mariana’s Answer
Hello Amanda,
It depends the country, usually in US, most states and jurisdictions require lawyers to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). ABA accreditation signifies that the law school—particularly its curricula and faculty—meets certain standards. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into most law schools, and courses in English, public speaking, government, history, economics, and mathematics are useful.
Almost all law schools, particularly those approved by the ABA, require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This test measures applicants’ aptitude for the study of law.
On the other hand, in México you only need to pass a test called CENEVAL which is similar to he LSAT, in some schools they also asked you to present a thesis and an oral exam related to that, after this you receive your degree as lawyer and then you have options to do a master's or doctorate.
Hope this could help you to understand better.
Mariana
It depends the country, usually in US, most states and jurisdictions require lawyers to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). ABA accreditation signifies that the law school—particularly its curricula and faculty—meets certain standards. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into most law schools, and courses in English, public speaking, government, history, economics, and mathematics are useful.
Almost all law schools, particularly those approved by the ABA, require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This test measures applicants’ aptitude for the study of law.
On the other hand, in México you only need to pass a test called CENEVAL which is similar to he LSAT, in some schools they also asked you to present a thesis and an oral exam related to that, after this you receive your degree as lawyer and then you have options to do a master's or doctorate.
Hope this could help you to understand better.
Mariana