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What are the first steps to becoming a lawyer?
I am currently in high school and would like to pursue law in the future and become a coorperate lawyer. What are the things I should focus onin high school and in college to achieve this?
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Doc’s Answer
Carolina getting a bachelor’s degree and a JD takes seven years, so it’s a long path. As a high school student, now is the time to start honing the relevant reading and writing skills you’ll need and to begin thinking about the kind of lawyer you want to become someday. Below are some things you might want to focus on:
GETTING GOOD GRADES - You'll want to go to a good college or university to enhance your chances of being admitted to a good law school.
READING AND WRITING SKILLS - Since these are essential for law school and a legal career. Unlike medical school, there are no specific undergraduate requirements for law school, but classes involving lots of reading, writing, and analytical thinking will be crucial in helping you develop the intellectual tools you'll need as a lawyer.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - Although your high school extracurriculars won’t have much bearing on your odds of getting into law school, activities like debate, student government, may help you explore your interest in law and develop your public speaking skills.
COMMUNITY SERVICE - Whether in a legal services organization or elsewhere in your local community, interning at a law office or in local government over the summer. Or, you might join the school newspaper to hone your writing abilities.
Hope this was helpful Carolina
GETTING GOOD GRADES - You'll want to go to a good college or university to enhance your chances of being admitted to a good law school.
READING AND WRITING SKILLS - Since these are essential for law school and a legal career. Unlike medical school, there are no specific undergraduate requirements for law school, but classes involving lots of reading, writing, and analytical thinking will be crucial in helping you develop the intellectual tools you'll need as a lawyer.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - Although your high school extracurriculars won’t have much bearing on your odds of getting into law school, activities like debate, student government, may help you explore your interest in law and develop your public speaking skills.
COMMUNITY SERVICE - Whether in a legal services organization or elsewhere in your local community, interning at a law office or in local government over the summer. Or, you might join the school newspaper to hone your writing abilities.
Hope this was helpful Carolina
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Carolina,
The first thing on your to do list should be to complete a degree. It can be in anything but the most popular degrees for law is Business (helps with corporate law), Law, Political Science or English. But also consider doing a BA/BS/ BAS in a subject where you excel.
The next thing to do is to take the LSAT. This is required. There is help out there that is available that you can research depending on the best way to learn for you.
Try looking for internships and volunteering at law firms or in house.
After that you need to apply for Law Schools albeit it in your area or out of you area. It all depends on financial aid, commuting and your preference.
When you get into to law school it takes a lot of gumption and hard work so try to prepare yourself.
The first thing on your to do list should be to complete a degree. It can be in anything but the most popular degrees for law is Business (helps with corporate law), Law, Political Science or English. But also consider doing a BA/BS/ BAS in a subject where you excel.
The next thing to do is to take the LSAT. This is required. There is help out there that is available that you can research depending on the best way to learn for you.
Try looking for internships and volunteering at law firms or in house.
After that you need to apply for Law Schools albeit it in your area or out of you area. It all depends on financial aid, commuting and your preference.
When you get into to law school it takes a lot of gumption and hard work so try to prepare yourself.
Updated
Justine’s Answer
I work with many lawyers from varying backgrounds. Ultimately, any course of study can help you do well in law school and in the practice of law. For instance, if you have an interest in some specialized area of law - for instance, intellectual property or tax or corporate (M&A) - related courses of study can put you in a great position (like the sciences, or finance, or business). Consistently across all practices of law, and in law school, writing and critical thinking are very important. Focus on doing well in school (you need those grades to get you in the law school door) and try to get good writing and analytical experience. I personally focused efforts around English in high school, and majored in Journalism in undergrad, and found both to serve me very well in law school and beyond. Best of luck!
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Carolina: Doc's answer lays out what you should do. I'd also suggest you walk up to 60 Centre St. and go into a Courtroom and watch and learn. Judge Ramos does the corporte stuff. Find his courtroom and sit and watch. Have fun!