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What are some good steps/tips to become a lawyer?
I am a incoming junior at Cass Technical High School. I get good grades, I'm on the debate team, honor society, and I would like to go to Spelman College #lawyer #Spelman
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Kevin’s Answer
Hi Bri'Shona -
I went to law school but did very little extracurricular activities during high school and college. You are off to a great start by participating. Once I got to law school, I made that a priority. Participating in activities like debate is both a great way to improve your skill at that activity, but also a good way to meet people and to network. As you attend undergraduate and law school, these extracurricular activities become opportunities where you might learn about jobs or leads for new clients.
For undergrad, I suggest studying what you find interesting. There are certain types of classes and degrees that might be more helpful than others. For instance, a lot of attorneys (and other professionals) are not great at communicating. My undergrad career counselor suggested degrees that focused on writing and I have found that immensely helpful. I studied, Journalism, English, and French. If I could go back in time, I would probably have studied Spanish as well. It would be immensely helpful. For depositions and other court appearances, I routinely hire translators for Spanish, Arabic (various dialects) and other languages.
I very much agree with some of the suggestions above. If you can, try and get a summer job at a law firm. Some of the students in my law school class who graduated at the very top had experience in law firms. There is a certain type of thinking - issue spotting and logical reasoning - that needs to be learned. I found that many of my undergraduate philosophy courses were a good foundation for this. In particular, principles of reasoning, but really, any philosophy courses tie in skills you will need for practicing law (e.g. reading, interpreting, and hypothetical problem solving).
I went to law school but did very little extracurricular activities during high school and college. You are off to a great start by participating. Once I got to law school, I made that a priority. Participating in activities like debate is both a great way to improve your skill at that activity, but also a good way to meet people and to network. As you attend undergraduate and law school, these extracurricular activities become opportunities where you might learn about jobs or leads for new clients.
For undergrad, I suggest studying what you find interesting. There are certain types of classes and degrees that might be more helpful than others. For instance, a lot of attorneys (and other professionals) are not great at communicating. My undergrad career counselor suggested degrees that focused on writing and I have found that immensely helpful. I studied, Journalism, English, and French. If I could go back in time, I would probably have studied Spanish as well. It would be immensely helpful. For depositions and other court appearances, I routinely hire translators for Spanish, Arabic (various dialects) and other languages.
I very much agree with some of the suggestions above. If you can, try and get a summer job at a law firm. Some of the students in my law school class who graduated at the very top had experience in law firms. There is a certain type of thinking - issue spotting and logical reasoning - that needs to be learned. I found that many of my undergraduate philosophy courses were a good foundation for this. In particular, principles of reasoning, but really, any philosophy courses tie in skills you will need for practicing law (e.g. reading, interpreting, and hypothetical problem solving).
Updated
Desiree’s Answer
It sounds like you've given your future a lot of thought - good for you! Lucky for you the world is your oyster when it comes to preparing for law school. First, know that in the U.S. you need to have an undergraduate degree (4-year bachelor's degree) - which works well with your plan to attend Spelman College - and good LSAT scores to get into law school. Law school is 3 more years after you graduate from university/Spelman.
There is no particular required major - or minor - for that bachelor's degree. It's pretty common for people heading to law school to major in History, Political Science, Business, or English. However, you should major in something of interest to you and in which you'll get stellar grades. Having good grades is key to being admitted to law school. So if Math or Chemistry is your passion, do that! (I am a lawyer, my undergraduate majors were Biology and Marine Science.)
To do well in law school - and the practice of the law! - you need to have strong analytical, reasoning and writing skills. Any courses or activities that help develop those "muscles" will prepare you, and you can start that now! You mentioned debate team, which is terrific. Moot court, Model UN and similar activities can also help refine your skills and prepare you. Depending on what type of lawyer you want to be, you need my need additional skills. For instance, if you what to be a litigator (aka a trial attorney) or in government then you might want to work on public speaking skills; if you wanted to work in Environmental Law, some basic sciences courses would be helpful; etc.
Research university (Spelman, if that's your desire!) & law school admission requirements
Consider what undergraduate degrees match your strengths, and tailor your courses accordingly
In both High School and University, take elective classes or participate in extracurricular activities involving the field of law or key legal skills (criminal science, debate, constitutional law).
It's never too soon to start "networking" - as others have suggested, try connecting with alumni or people you/your parents/family know who are in the legal profession.
There is no particular required major - or minor - for that bachelor's degree. It's pretty common for people heading to law school to major in History, Political Science, Business, or English. However, you should major in something of interest to you and in which you'll get stellar grades. Having good grades is key to being admitted to law school. So if Math or Chemistry is your passion, do that! (I am a lawyer, my undergraduate majors were Biology and Marine Science.)
To do well in law school - and the practice of the law! - you need to have strong analytical, reasoning and writing skills. Any courses or activities that help develop those "muscles" will prepare you, and you can start that now! You mentioned debate team, which is terrific. Moot court, Model UN and similar activities can also help refine your skills and prepare you. Depending on what type of lawyer you want to be, you need my need additional skills. For instance, if you what to be a litigator (aka a trial attorney) or in government then you might want to work on public speaking skills; if you wanted to work in Environmental Law, some basic sciences courses would be helpful; etc.
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hello Bri'Shona,
College is a great path to take for becoming a lawyer, as getting a J.D. can help prepare you.
You may want to look into the various firms in your area and see if you can get an internship or volunteer to get some experience. The main thing is to figure out what focus you want to do, what you like about it, what you don't like about it, and get ways to show you know what it means to be a lawyer.
If you know any lawyers or have any friends parents, teachers who know lawyers you could contact them to shadow them to see what a day in their life means.
Lawyers are people so obviously, you won't click with all of them but what you are looking for is one that you can get to know and hopefully learn from. And if you clique maybe they can become a mentor.
Also, you can look up the local bar association to get referrals and maybe try to attend some conferences or local chapter meets to met more lawyers.
I hope this helps!
College is a great path to take for becoming a lawyer, as getting a J.D. can help prepare you.
You may want to look into the various firms in your area and see if you can get an internship or volunteer to get some experience. The main thing is to figure out what focus you want to do, what you like about it, what you don't like about it, and get ways to show you know what it means to be a lawyer.
If you know any lawyers or have any friends parents, teachers who know lawyers you could contact them to shadow them to see what a day in their life means.
Lawyers are people so obviously, you won't click with all of them but what you are looking for is one that you can get to know and hopefully learn from. And if you clique maybe they can become a mentor.
Also, you can look up the local bar association to get referrals and maybe try to attend some conferences or local chapter meets to met more lawyers.
I hope this helps!
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Bri'Shona!
I live outside Detroit, went to Wayne State Law School, and worked downtown for many years. Cass Tech is a great school, and a great place to begin your journey! There are many lawyers who went to Cass Tech. One such Cass Tech alumni that I know went to Harvard Law School and is now a Wayne County judge. He is very impressive! You should ask a counselor or other administrator about connecting you with Cass Tech alumni in the legal profession.
You should also explore volunteer work and internships. If you are interested in criminal justice, I'm sure there are internships/volunteer opportunities with courts and police departments. Another option is taking a part time job as a "file clerk" with a law firm. You may find a good mentor that way.
Good luck!
Mike
I live outside Detroit, went to Wayne State Law School, and worked downtown for many years. Cass Tech is a great school, and a great place to begin your journey! There are many lawyers who went to Cass Tech. One such Cass Tech alumni that I know went to Harvard Law School and is now a Wayne County judge. He is very impressive! You should ask a counselor or other administrator about connecting you with Cass Tech alumni in the legal profession.
You should also explore volunteer work and internships. If you are interested in criminal justice, I'm sure there are internships/volunteer opportunities with courts and police departments. Another option is taking a part time job as a "file clerk" with a law firm. You may find a good mentor that way.
Good luck!
Mike
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Bri'Shona,
You are off to a great start participating on the debate team and focusing on grades! I practice in Michigan and the one thing I found very helpful early on is doing internships, even if they were unpaid. You can experience different types of law (private practice, criminal, corporate, etc...) to see what interests you. The internship I enjoyed the most was with a Judge as you are exposed to many different types of cases and lawyers. It also helps with seeking out networking contacts as you see the type of work certain law firms handle. Also, the great thing about a path to be a lawyer is that your undergraduate degree can be just about anything - English, Political Science, Business, Criminal Justice, etc.... I would stay focused on school work, keep up the extra activities and seek out internships.
Good Luck
Lisa
You are off to a great start participating on the debate team and focusing on grades! I practice in Michigan and the one thing I found very helpful early on is doing internships, even if they were unpaid. You can experience different types of law (private practice, criminal, corporate, etc...) to see what interests you. The internship I enjoyed the most was with a Judge as you are exposed to many different types of cases and lawyers. It also helps with seeking out networking contacts as you see the type of work certain law firms handle. Also, the great thing about a path to be a lawyer is that your undergraduate degree can be just about anything - English, Political Science, Business, Criminal Justice, etc.... I would stay focused on school work, keep up the extra activities and seek out internships.
Good Luck
Lisa