How to Become a Contract Lawyer

Although lawyers are allowed to practice in almost any practice area once they are licensed, most lawyers decide to focus their practice on one or two areas of the law. If you are interested in contracts then a concentration on contract law would be an obvious choice for your law practice. While there are no specific requirements for a focus on contract law, there are a number of things you can do to increase your knowledge and experience in the area of contract law.

Instructions

1. Complete law school at an American Bar Association accredited law school and obtain your juris doctorate degree. While in law school, take advantage of elective classes that are offered in advanced contract law.

2. Apply to be licensed in the state where you intend to practice law. Successfully complete the character and fitness background interview as well as pass the bar exam and the multi-state professional responsibility exam as part of the application process.

3. Seek employment at a firm that concentrates on civil practice and that handles a number of contract law cases or is in need of a contract law associate. Business law firms handle a large volume of contract law cases, as do sports and entertainment law firms. Government lawyers may also be needed in the contract law area.

4. Join the local, state or national Bar Association and become a member of any sub-sections that focus on contract law.

5. Utilize your required continuing legal education classes to gain additional knowledge in the area of contract law and to keep up to date on any changes in the area of contract law.

Tips & Warnings

• While in law school, look for a summer internship with a firm that does a high volume practice in contract law

References

• Missouri Board of Law Examiners:Home
• American Bar Association:Public Contract Law