How to Be a Lawyer for Dummies | 6 Easy & Quick Steps (2022)

The decision to become an attorney for dummies should not be taken lightly since entering the court system is no easy feat. Obtaining a license to practice law in the United States usually takes years of hard work. It may also entail taking on a considerable amount of college loan debt to pay for law school. Let’s learn how to be a lawyer for dummies.

A six-figure wage is common in the legal profession. According to the US Department of Labor, the average annual income for attorneys in the United States in May 2019 was $122,960. The base salary starts at $52k per year and can reach as much as $157k per year on 2022. Thus, we have made this post on being a lawyer for dummies.

Additionally, operating as a lawyer is regarded as one of the most respectable professions in the world. As a result, it should be no surprise that obtaining a legal degree takes a significant amount of time and work. But, if I want to be a lawyer for dummies, which road should I take?

In the U.s, a prospective lawyer’s training qualifications take at least seven years to finish. This is divided into a four-year undergraduate degree and a three-year postgraduate law school certificate. However, things aren’t quite that straightforward since further examinations and certificates are required to complete along the route.

How to Be a Lawyer for Dummies

If you’re considering a career in law for dummies, keep in mind there’s no such point as a fast track to becoming an attorney. There are no shortcuts or cheats; everything must get done correctly.

Here’s a rundown of all the stages you’ll need to take on your way to a successful legal profession, along with an estimate of how long each one will take.

Finish a bachelor’s degree program

Students must first finish an undergraduate degree is required to be deemed for graduate studies in law for dummies. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for law school, and it typically takes four years to complete.

Consider enrolling in a pre-law program at your institution if one is available. However, keep in mind that the American Bar Association does not compel you to pick a specific subject of study at this stage of your legal career.

According to the American Bar Association, students may apply to law school with a major in any field. English, psychology, literature, finance, politics, criminology, and reporting are among the most popular majors among pre-law students.

Because there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for choosing a topic of study, the best way is to choose a subject that you are passionate about. Concentrating on your strong subjects can help you achieve a high GPA and, as a result, become a serious contender for a Juris Doctor course.

Study for and complete the law school entrance exam

The second stage on your route to becoming a lawyer for dummies should be to study for the LSAT. Taking and completing the LSAT and finishing an undergraduate degree with a good GPA is an important aspect of the application process for postgraduate law schools.

Because the LSAT is a regulated law school entrance test, admissions administrators evaluate the scores to determine how successful applicants will be in the schools to which they are applying.

The test comprises five parts of multiple-choice questions and a writing sample provided at the conclusion. The LSAT assesses law school applicants’ ability to organize data, read fluency, and reason logically and analytically. This is in addition to reasoning, which is necessary for anybody aspiring to be a lawyer for dummies.

While your LSAT results aren’t the only factor law school admissions staff will examine when considering your submissions, you should commit a few months to train. This is in addition to extensive exam preparation. The better your score, the simpler it will be to get into the law school of your choice.

Consider your options and submit your applications to law schools.

Some students opt to pursue their studies immediately after receiving their Bachelor’s degree. Others place a higher value on acquiring working qualifications in law-related domains before beginning law school.

Only apply to courses at authorized legal schools, regardless of whatever route you choose for your lawyer’s education and skills. You can’t practice law unless you have a graduate degree from an ABA-accredited institution.

The good news is that there are over 200 ABA-approved law schools in the United States, so you’ll have lots of alternatives.

Besides your Bachelor’s GPA, LSAT scores, and curriculum completed at the college level, other achievements may help you satisfy admission officials. This is in addition to membership in a professional group, volunteer work, and letters of reference from lawyers, educators, or graduates.

You may turn to the Law School Admission Committee for materials and guidance on the law school hiring process while researching lawyer education.

Pursue your Juris Doctor degree

A Juris Doctor qualification, generally known as the first degree in law, is required for aspiring lawyers. Law school helps prospective lawyers get the information they need by combining classroom instruction with practical practice.

This is in conjunction with critical thinking skills. It also helps students prepare for a legal profession by exposing them to some of the most prevailing circumstances they’ll face during their careers.

You may be wondering how long law school takes. If you opt to go to law school full-time, you should be able to complete your study in three years. If you elect to attend law school part-time, your studies will take four years to finish.

Because the subject of law encompasses a variety of specialities, be sure to choose a school that provides a curriculum in your chosen profession.

Succeed in the Bar Exam

After earning your JD, the next phase is to sit for the bar test in the jurisdiction where you want to practice law. The test is aimed to see whether a candidate has all of the necessary skills and abilities to work legally.

Studying for the test and obtaining the results might take several months on top of the time spent in the college of law.

It’s worth noting that certain states’ bar tests are infamously tough to pass, so prepare diligently. You’ll be qualified for formal admission to the Court if you pass the test.

You will not, however, be accepted instantaneously. Prospective attorneys must also pass a personality and fitness assessment by their state’s law society and a thorough background check. You must have a clean criminal record and have completed all necessary coursework to become a lawyer.

Look for work

You’ll be eligible to enter the legal employment market after completing all of the educational and licensing prerequisites. Lawyers for dummies may work for the government, NGOs, private offices, and other businesses. As a result, lawyers have several work chances to enhance their careers.

Newly minted attorneys often begin their careers as affiliates, assisting more senior lawyers. Skilled lawyers may be allowed to become associates after a few seasons at a legal firm, while others may want to start their practice.

Some lawyers go into public service or become judges, demonstrating that a law degree may open various opportunities.

Finally, it’s worth noting that after earning your JD, you may continue your studies at the master’s level. Doctor of Law and Doctorate are two significant possibilities if you are involved in the study and academic knowledge. It’s worth noting that most LLM programs run up to two years, but earning a Doctorate in Law takes anywhere from four to eight years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a lawyer for dummies?

Yes. The above tips on how to be a lawyer for dummies will aid you immensely on this.

What should I major in if I want to be a dummy lawyer?

There is no such thing as a “proper” major for aspiring attorneys at the college level. This is correct since the ABA makes no restrictions in this area. However, most ambitious attorneys choose a career in business, forensics, finance, English, politics, sociologists, psychiatry, or media.

How tough is it to become a lawyer for dummies?

A legal degree is regarded as respectable. As a result, finishing a lawyer’s degree and getting into law school takes a lot of work. Whatever field of law you choose to specialize in, remember that this is one of the hardest degrees to get.

What is the most in-demand legal field?

As per a recent assessment, the following fields of law had the most customer requirements during the COVID-19 global epidemic:

• Consumer protection legislation
• Civil liberties
• Protection
• Creating an estate plan
• Injuries to individuals
• Bankruptcy legislation
• Employment legislation

Is it possible for me to study law online?

Yes, a remote JD school can help you become a lawyer online. And, if you complete all of your studies and tests online, how long will it take to become a litigator? A graduate degree in law may take you three years to finish full-time, whether you join an ABA-accredited law online school or a masonry institution.

Conclusion

Finally, if you want to learn how to become a lawyer for dummies, many options are available. This includes anything from pursuing a regular legal degree to starting an internship. All of them have been mentioned before.