2 answers
izaiah
Student
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How many hours would you have to put in to become a defense attorney?
I know being in the criminal justice system is hard just I want to know just how hard it is to become a lawyer. #criminal-justice
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2 answers
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
481
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
I am not a lawyer, but I know many. I believe the exact requirements change from state to state in the U.S. If you live elsewhere, I don't have a clue. But generally, you go to college and get a 4 year degree. History is a popular choice, but really it could be anything.
Then you go to law school, which is generally 3 years. Before you can practice law, you then have to pass the bar exam, which is (I think) a two day test. Then you're a lawyer! Sometimes you can get hired while studying for the bar. You won't get your own cases, and would be supervised by as practicing attorney, but it's good experience and practice.
Then you have to decide if you want to work for the state as a public defender, join a large law firm, or hang your own shingle out and start a private practice.
Then you go to law school, which is generally 3 years. Before you can practice law, you then have to pass the bar exam, which is (I think) a two day test. Then you're a lawyer! Sometimes you can get hired while studying for the bar. You won't get your own cases, and would be supervised by as practicing attorney, but it's good experience and practice.
Then you have to decide if you want to work for the state as a public defender, join a large law firm, or hang your own shingle out and start a private practice.
Nima Ameli
Attorney
3
Answers
Westlake Village, California
Updated
Nima’s Answer
Becoming an attorney is difficult, but not impossible. It will require hard work, dedication, and lots of studying. The most traditional way to become an attorney is go to college and receive your bachelors degree. I would recommend a degree in English. This will help you tremendously with your writing skills, reading abilities, and most importantly, reading comprehension skills. The law is all about taking a set of facts and applying the law to those facts. Every case is different, and so are the facts.
Once you have completed your degree, then I would suggest finding a LSAT review course. Your LSAT score is required for admission into law school. This test has NOTHING to do with how good of an attorney you will become, and it is not indicative of how you will do in law school. It is a test of logic. It's all about reading comprehension and logic games. However, a high test score (above 160) is what you want to shoot for. Almost every law school will give you a scholarship (or reduction in tuition) with a 160 or higher. Depending on the tier of law school, I have seen some schools provide 50%-100% reduction in tuition simply based on the LSAT score.
Next, choose a law school. One thing I will say, every law school uses that same books, and you will learn the same information. However, if you want the connections, prestige, or the big name that will propel you into a major law firm, then choose a tier 1 law school. If you are dedicated to learning the law and will put in the time, then any school will do. The major difference you will see is BAR exam pass rate form a tier 1 to tier 3 schools. Not because the tier 3 schools are worse, but usually the students at tier 3 schools are not young, freshly graduated college students, but rather, like myself, are full time employees who are still going to school. In my opinion, this difference is what contributes to the difference in pass ratings because of the amount of time and reading law school requires. A college grad has all day to read and do homework, but someone who works a full-time job does not. Also, begin doing multis (multiple choice questions) for the subjects that you are studying in that semester. This will help you tremendously for the bar exam.
While in law school, if you want to become a criminal defense attorney, find an internship with the District Attorneys office in your county. This will be crucial in learning how things work, what to file in court, and you will meet deputy district attorneys. Being able to negotiate with attorneys, especially district attorneys, is a key component. Or, in the alternative, find a criminal defense firm in your area and apply for an internship. This will be invaluable to your future.
After finishing law school, you will need to pass your state's bar exam. This is not an easy task, but it is not impossible. The key to passing is doing all your work, reading all your cases, and understanding what the law in law school. A bar review course is tremendously helpful, but if you did not understand the law in law school, it will become very difficult to learn it while studying for the bar. The most important piece of advice I could give you is to read all the cases you are assigned in law school, don't read case briefs (Cliff Notes for law), and do your work. Then, when you are trying to master 16-18 subjects in 3 months for the bar exam, it will come to you very easily, and you will likely pass the bar exam on the first try.
I am an attorney, I did not pass the first time, but I never gave up. The bar exam is a brutal test and it will beat you up, but DON'T EVER GIVE UP. It took me 5 tries, and every time I failed I felt horrible and I wanted to quit, but I didn't. I would put my head down, block everything out, and study for the next exam.
Trust me, once you pass, this is a very rewarding job emotionally and financially.
Once you have completed your degree, then I would suggest finding a LSAT review course. Your LSAT score is required for admission into law school. This test has NOTHING to do with how good of an attorney you will become, and it is not indicative of how you will do in law school. It is a test of logic. It's all about reading comprehension and logic games. However, a high test score (above 160) is what you want to shoot for. Almost every law school will give you a scholarship (or reduction in tuition) with a 160 or higher. Depending on the tier of law school, I have seen some schools provide 50%-100% reduction in tuition simply based on the LSAT score.
Next, choose a law school. One thing I will say, every law school uses that same books, and you will learn the same information. However, if you want the connections, prestige, or the big name that will propel you into a major law firm, then choose a tier 1 law school. If you are dedicated to learning the law and will put in the time, then any school will do. The major difference you will see is BAR exam pass rate form a tier 1 to tier 3 schools. Not because the tier 3 schools are worse, but usually the students at tier 3 schools are not young, freshly graduated college students, but rather, like myself, are full time employees who are still going to school. In my opinion, this difference is what contributes to the difference in pass ratings because of the amount of time and reading law school requires. A college grad has all day to read and do homework, but someone who works a full-time job does not. Also, begin doing multis (multiple choice questions) for the subjects that you are studying in that semester. This will help you tremendously for the bar exam.
While in law school, if you want to become a criminal defense attorney, find an internship with the District Attorneys office in your county. This will be crucial in learning how things work, what to file in court, and you will meet deputy district attorneys. Being able to negotiate with attorneys, especially district attorneys, is a key component. Or, in the alternative, find a criminal defense firm in your area and apply for an internship. This will be invaluable to your future.
After finishing law school, you will need to pass your state's bar exam. This is not an easy task, but it is not impossible. The key to passing is doing all your work, reading all your cases, and understanding what the law in law school. A bar review course is tremendously helpful, but if you did not understand the law in law school, it will become very difficult to learn it while studying for the bar. The most important piece of advice I could give you is to read all the cases you are assigned in law school, don't read case briefs (Cliff Notes for law), and do your work. Then, when you are trying to master 16-18 subjects in 3 months for the bar exam, it will come to you very easily, and you will likely pass the bar exam on the first try.
I am an attorney, I did not pass the first time, but I never gave up. The bar exam is a brutal test and it will beat you up, but DON'T EVER GIVE UP. It took me 5 tries, and every time I failed I felt horrible and I wanted to quit, but I didn't. I would put my head down, block everything out, and study for the next exam.
Trust me, once you pass, this is a very rewarding job emotionally and financially.