How to Become an Advocacy Lawyer
An advocacy lawyer is one who champions the interests of a particular cause or group. These may include children, immigrants, the poor, the environment, the elderly, minorities, and so forth. Lawyers become advocates because they whole-heartedly believe in their cause. Often, the pay is low and the workload heavy. In considering which area of advocacy is right for you, take a look at where your personal interests lie. Most of the time, lawyers who become advocates were already involved or displayed an interest in their cause prior to law school.
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Instructions
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Apply to law school. First, you must have obtained a degree from a four-year college and taken the Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT). Look for law schools with legal clinics or legal journals that specialize in your area of interest. Talk to current and former students of the school to find out what the clinics and journals are like, how much hands-on experience you can gain, and where graduates have gone on to practice.
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Attend law school. To become an advocacy lawyer, you must attend and graduate from an accredited school. While in school, take classes that will prepare you for a career in your chosen field (e.g., environmental law, family law, poverty law, immigration law, etc.) You should also be well-grounded in constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, and criminal procedure. Participate in the legal clinics and journals that you researched during the application process.
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Gain experience in your intended field. It is possible to gain experience in your field of interest even before you graduate from law school. Many advocate groups, such as Legal Aid or Southern Law Poverty Center, offer summer internships to students who have displayed an interest in and a commitment to their causes. Try to obtain an internship with a group in your field of interest.
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Pass the Bar. Graduates of law school must pass a state bar exam in order to practice law. Depending on the state in which you intend to practice, this test usually spans two to three days. It tests your reasoning and writing abilities. Normally, one must prepare for this exam for several months, as it tests on a wide range of legal subjects.
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Apply for advocacy positions. Many advocacy groups hire recent law school graduates. Use your school's resources (e.g.., a "job bank") to search for organizations in your field of interest. Send your CV to these places, making sure to include all of your experiences in the subject. Network to find job openings. Talk to alumni who have worked in your field of interest, for example. Most of the time, they are happy to help.
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