How to Become a Finance Lawyer
Finance lawyers specialize in working in a variety of fields including tax, corporate compliance, marriage and divorce, banking and public arenas. Typically, finance lawyers provide legal guidance around issues such as policy, public and environmental issues and mergers and acquisitions. The lawyers represent corporations, government organizations or individual clients during legal proceedings. According to the "United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook," about 27 percent of lawyers are self-employed as law firm partners or as owners of solo practices.
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Instructions
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Enroll in a four-year college or university of your choosing. Focus on courses in financial planning, accounting, business administration and estate planning. If you want to become a finance lawyer working in the corporate environment, take additional courses that deal with mergers and acquisitions.
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Register for one of the approximately 195 law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The course of study generally takes three years. Check into attending law school part-time or during the night if you work during the daytime. Sign up for and pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Depending on the entrance requirements at the law school you decide to attend, you may also be required to have experience working as a lawyer as well as complete an in-person interview.
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Practice as a finance lawyer under the guidance of practicing lawyers and law school attorneys. Intern with government financial agencies, corporate law departments and law schools that offer internships. Following internships, register for additional training to remain current and to increase your knowledge as a finance lawyer.
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Check with the state where you will practice as a finance lawyer, as to its licensing requirements. Keep in mind that most states require lawyers to pass a written bar examination as well as a written ethics examination before a license is granted. Confirm whether you will need to complete the six-hour Multi-State Bar Exam (MBE) or the three-hour Multi-State Essay (MEE) Exam for the state you are seeking a license in to consider you as having passed the bar.
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Create a strong and effective resume. Highlight your licenses, internships and other legal working experience. Search job boards, network with alumni at colleges, universities and law schools to locate jobs for finance lawyers that you are interested in. If you want to work at a law office, corporate firm or government agency, contact the head recruiter at the human resources department and set up an interview.
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Resources
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