How to Become a Civil Lawyer

Becoming a lawyer requires more than a four-year degree. You must also attend law school. The education and expense involved in becoming a lawyer requires a real commitment. If you plan to specialize in a particular field of law, such as civil law, you may incur additional expense and additional years of schooling to obtain an advanced law degree. With dedication and persistent efforts, you can follow these steps to become a civil lawyer.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Apply and be admitted to a four-year degree program of your choosing. Obtain your four-year undergraduate degree. Interdisciplinary studies are preferred, although courses in English, foreign languages, government, economics, mathematics and public speaking are all useful in preparing to obtain a law degree.

2. Apply and be admitted to a law school. Law schools accredited by the Bar Association require the LSAT (the Law School Admission Test). Most schools also require the applicants to have a wealth of knowledge about the study of law, and they consider the quality of the applicant's undergraduate school, previous law-related work experience and a face to face interview.

3. Study core courses during the first two years of law school. This will include property law, constitutional law and legal writing. To become civil lawyers, students will spend their remaining time on specialized courses including civil procedures.

4. Gain practical experience with participation in legal clinics, moot court competitions, where appellate arguments are conducted by the students and practice trials with the supervision of practicing judges and lawyers. Gain additional legal experience by working on legislative committees, in legal aid offices, with corporate legal departments, or even summer clerkships in reputable law firms. This type of training not only gives valuable experiences, but it can also lead to employment after graduation.

5. After completing courses on ethics, students may have to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, which assesses students' knowledge of the American Bar Association codes on judicial conduct and knowledge on professional responsibility.

6. Use practical experience to confirm your choice of civil law. After three years, graduate with a J.D. degree (juris doctor), which covers all legal fields.

7. Graduates have now met the requirements to take the State Bar Exam. Check with the Bar Association in your state for specific requirements for licensure. All states require applicants into the Bar Association to pass the written bar exam for each state in which the applicant plans to practice. Most states also require the six hour Multistate Bar Examination, which covers a range of legal issues. If your state has additional testing, it is usually a one-time event and given during the bar exam. Several states require completion of a three hour Multistate Essay Exam and a Multistate Performance Test to assess the skills of beginning lawyers. After passing the State Bar Exam, seek employment.

Tips & Warnings

• Carefully research the bar requirements for your state. Choose undergraduate schools certified by the American Bar Association. Seek an internship in your choice of specialization, such as civil law, to be certain that you can be committed to that field.
• Do not undertake the study of law casually because obtaining a law degree can cost up to $100,000. Do not assume that you can practice law in other states unless you are licensed in those other states.

References

• California State Bar

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