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Degrees and Schools
Most lawyers have studied law for a minimum of seven years - four years to receive a bachelors degree in order to get into law school, where they study for three years. Law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) meet rigorous industry standards.
Classes
Most colleges and universities offer multidisciplinary programs that provide the broad range of courses necessary to prepare students for law school.
- English and foreign languages
- Business
- Speaking and debate
- Government
- Logic, philosophy and history
- Economics and mathematics
- Computer science and information technology
- Legal terminology
- Sociology and Psychology
Additional courses specific to the field of interest, such as accounting for tax law or engineering for patent law, are recommended.
Law school admission is usually based on undergraduate grades, scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), prior work experience and interviews. Core coursework for the juris doctor (J.D.) degree is completed in the first 1 1/2 years, and includes:
- Property law
- Constitutional law
- Torts
- Contracts
- Civil procedure
- Legal writing
Specialized courses follow, in fields such as labor, tax or corporate law.
In addition to classes, law students often spend time gaining practical experience through:
- school-sponsored legal clinics and moot court competitions
- practice trials supervised by experienced lawyers and judges
- researching and writing for the school's law journals
- working on legislative committees or in legal aid offices
- finding part-time or summer clerkships in law firms, corporate legal departments or government agencies
Online Classes and Programs
Online bachelor's degree programs in multidisciplinary studies are plentiful and well-suited for aspiring lawyers. It is important to check what kinds of online credits and degrees are accepted by preferred law schools, and the state in which the student intends to practice. To have the same access to internship and job placement opportunities as on-campus programs, consider online programs that are offered as a service of brick-and-mortar schools.
Any law school, online or on-campus, should be accredited by the ABA. Online programs should also be part of an institution that has accreditation from agencies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or United States Department of Education (USDE).
Employment Requirements
In addition to a bachelors degree and JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school, lawyers in any state must be admitted to its bar (licensed). In most states, applicants must pass both written bar and ethics examinations. These exams often include the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Multistate Performance Testing (MPT), Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and sometimes a locally-prepared state bar examination.
How to Evaluate Schools
When comparing law programs, legal students should consider the following factors:
- Reputation and rank - How does the program rank nationally? What is its reputation among students, law firms and other schools?
- Accreditation and focus - Is the school accredited by the ABA? Does it provide adequate course offerings in areas of chosen specialty?
- School and class size - What is the student/teacher ratio in most introductory classes? Are classes or programs crowded or difficult to get into?
- Practical experience - Are internship programs and other practical experience opportunities well-organized with plenty of opportunities?
- Tuition and financial assistance - What support is offered to students who wish to take advantage of scholarships, grants, loans, work/study and other financial aid options?
- Career success - What is the school's track record for graduating students who became licensed, practicing lawyers?
Lawyer Job Description
The practice of law affects the daily lives of people in any community, of any race, age, faith or gender. Laws keep people safe at work and at home, protect their investments and health, help with buying houses and starting businesses, and enforce the individual rights of each citizen. Lawyers (also called attorneys) represent involved parties or "sides" in civil and criminal disputes, and usually specialize in a particular area of expertise such as bankruptcy, probate, elder, disability, business, real estate, intellectual property, insurance, international, or environmental law. While specific responsibilities will vary with their area of specialty, general responsibilities of lawyers include:
- studying laws, old and new
- researching laws and the applications of laws as they apply to a specific case
- advising their clients on their obligations and rights, how the legal system works, and recommended courses of action
- presenting evidence; arguing in court in support of their clients
- interviewing clients and witnesses
- understanding courtroom procedures and strategies
- preparing and filing paperwork and legal documentation
- defending or prosecuting individuals, companies or groups
Most lawyers work in private practice. Others work for private or public companies, the government, or non-profit organizations that provide legal assistance to disadvantaged individuals. Some lawyers choose only cases of public interest, where the outcome might have an impact on the application of law.
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