What It Takes to Be a Lawyer

"What it Takes to be a Lawyer" succinctly stipulates the fundamental educational process required to become an attorney. It provides a generalized overview of the law school process, and jurisdictional requirements regarding the State Bar Exam.

Requirements to Become an Attorney

Before becoming an attorney, you must first attain admission into law school. Practicing law in the United States requires admission into an American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law school.

Admission into Law School

Individuals seeking admission into law school must graduate from an accredited university, with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree, and perform proficiently on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Admission also generally requires the completion of an application, or a package comprising your LSAT Score(s), GPA, school application, and personal statement.

Law School

Law school represents a rigorous 3 to 4 year committment: 3 years for full-time students, 4 years if taken part-time. Students select a curriculum tailored toward the requirements of their specializations.

Legal Knowledge

Law school students cultivate the essential legal knowledge and cognitive reasoning, preparing them for their subsequent legal careers.

The State Bar Exam

Upon graduating from law school, students then take the ABA administered bar exam and must attain a score sufficient to pass before receiving their Juris Doctorate (J.D.). Hence, the J.D. professionally certifies individuals as lawyers, adequately qualified to practice within their own jurisdictions or state of judicial influence. Each state independently administers its own bar exam. Essentially, the state bar exam anticipates rudimentary knowledge of laws deemed sufficient for professional practice in a particular state.

Resources

• American Bar Association Official Website
• Law School Admission Council Website