In order to become a lawyer, you must have a bachelor's degree. Most undergraduates pursue liberal arts degrees in political science and history to learn the fundamentals of the American legal system and to give them a head start in law school. However, law schools don't require students to have liberal arts degree in order to apply for admissions to their school. In their senior year, undergraduates must apply to an accredited law school and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Excellent scores will be a deciding factor on your chances of acceptance.
Once admitted, students will be required to take general legal education courses and have opportunities to participate in training programs such as fellowships, internships, clinical work and law review or journalism. Once graduating with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a novice lawyer will need to pass the state bar exam. This is required for all states except Washington and Louisiana. Several states require practicing lawyers to take continuing legal education (CLE) classes.
According to the website for Harvard Law School, the first year of law school teaches students the basic foundation of course work in law. The second and third years submerse the student into intermediate courses in order to point then toward a specific area of law to practice.
Depending on the area of specialization a student chooses to pursue as a lawyer, students can find hands-on training with fellowships and internships in local, state or federal government agencies, social services, private law firms and nonprofits.
Law students who take on managerial and administrative experience in positions such as human resources, financial institutions and politics, often find it easier to find competitive internships and fellowships because it shows their knowledge and dedication to a variety of legal areas.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, the median salary for all lawyers in 2008 was $110,590 per year. The middle half of earners made $74,980 to $163,320. Several factors determine a lawyer's actual salary amount. This includes factors such as the amount of experience, specialization, employment location and type of legal industry (nonprofit or law firm).
Law school will introduce students to a wide range of course work. This expands a student's perspective of the legal system. Many students get to train in areas outside of the traditional law-firm setting. For example, many training programs assign students to work with low-income individuals who can't afford legal representation. Students benefit from these types of programs because it provides them with a a great personal satisfaction as well as professional. In addition, most law schools offer night classes to benefit part-time students. Later on in their careers, some experienced lawyers are asked to become part-time professors at the law schools they once attended.
If you are considering law school, you should understand that the admission process is intense, and the competition doesn't end once you are admitted. The best training programs, judicial clerkships and internships require excellent grades and class standing. These opportunities are highly competitive.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that completion continues beyond law school and into the professional world. As many students graduate, there will strong competition for the best jobs. Once in a legal job, lawyers strive to work their way to manager or partner of a law firm. If you are considering law school, remember it's a huge financial and serious commitment.