Lawyers provide legal advice and act on behalf of individuals, companies and public sector organisations. In court proceedings or dispute resolution proceedings they can also represent clients or act as arbitrator to resolve conflicts.
There’s no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a lawyer, but an undergraduate degree that emphasizes research, writing and debating will put you in good stead for law school. Popular undergraduate majors include English, philosophy and political science.
Education
Law can be an immensely satisfying academic field and career option for those who enjoy helping people. From protecting human rights to solving tax-related issues, practicing law can provide immense satisfaction – it also presents unique intellectual challenges and gives an individual ample opportunities to flex their logic and analyzer skills!
Whoever intends on entering law should pursue an undergraduate degree related to it, such as business or criminology/criminal justice degrees. A business major could prove useful if one plans on working within corporate/business related legal fields while an additional criminal justice degree could come in handy for criminal law practitioners.
After earning their undergraduate degree, those interested in becoming lawyers may pursue graduate school to gain the knowledge and skills required for this career path. Most full-time law degree programs last between three to four years before completion.
Training
Law is an intellectually demanding yet emotionally satisfying career field that demands critical thinking skills, writing proficiency, and reading comprehension capacities to thrive in. Cultivating these traits during your education journey is paramount for achieving success in this profession.
Begin your legal studies by earning an undergraduate degree in an area that excites you, such as English, history or political science. An undergraduate degree will prepare you for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) while providing a solid basis for further legal studies.
Consider enrolling in a pre-law program or engaging in law-related internships to increase hands-on experience and increase your odds of law school acceptance. Furthermore, look out for opportunities to network with professionals within the legal field, which could open doors for mentoring relationships as well as job offers.
Experience
Journey towards becoming a lawyer can be rigorous, exhilarating and immensely satisfying. To succeed at it requires having an excellent educational foundation as well as intellectual curiosity; research proficiency; writing skills; reading comprehension capabilities and effective communication.
A career as a lawyer typically begins by earning a Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association-accredited law school and passing the bar exam to practice. However, there are other specialty degrees and paths which may better fit some individuals; one such degree option would be Master of Laws – perfect for nonlawyers seeking greater knowledge about law but who don’t necessarily wish to become lawyers themselves.
Your undergraduate degree will ultimately influence which area of law you study at law school. A bachelor’s in criminology would make for a good starting point if criminal law is your area of focus, while political science could provide an ideal path into public or government law studies.
Skills
Lawyers need to adapt quickly to changing legal trends and adjust their strategies in response. Achieve this feat requires strong communication skills that allow for open dialogue with their clients.
Logical thinking is another essential skill for attorneys, enabling them to accurately connect courtroom proceedings and legal documentation with relevant laws and statutes. Attorneys must also recognize and address competing viewpoints effectively.
Writing is an indispensable skill for lawyers, as they must construct arguments and contracts on their clients’ behalf. A bachelor’s degree provides the perfect platform to develop this ability with classes focusing on writing and public speaking.
Law schools typically require courses in civil procedure, which deal with litigation within a court setting. Attending these courses helps students read case material with caution to protect their clients against anything that might be biased or have hidden agendas. Mathematics, statistics and data science courses also give attorneys tools for uncovering flaws in information being analyzed.
