To become a lawyer that represents people in front of a judge how many years of law school do you have to do?

Hi Destiny,

As stated previously, all law schools require three years of attendance. If you want to be a lawyer that actually goes to court and argues issues in front of a judge or jury, you will be a litigator. There are all types of law that involve litigation - from criminal to family to insurance to business. My suggestion to new attorneys is to get in the courtroom whenever you can. Eventually, you will reach a point where you are comfortable before the judge/jury and have the confidence you need. If you end up working at a bigger firm where only the partners tend to go before the court, ask if you can attend with them so you can begin to feel how the procedural aspects of a courtroom work. Additionally, I found that by clerking for a judge right out of law school gave me an insight into the court that not everyone sees.

Best of luck,

Rhonda Smith

Law school lasts 3 years, after which you can specialize and decide what type of lawyer you want to be.

The ones that represent people in front of a judge are typically called trial lawyers.

Oftentimes, it takes several years of preparation and training even after law school - at a minimum - to be able to argue cases in front of a judge (depending on where you are located).