Lawyers play an important role in the legal system of the USA. They advise and represent individuals, businesses and organizations on a variety of legal matters.
They assist clients with navigating the legal system, drafting legal documents, and negotiating settlements.
In this post, you will learn how to become a Lawyer in the USA. The procedure varies slightly depending on the state in which you wish to practice, but it generally consists of the following 6 steps:
How to become a lawyer in the USA
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
- First, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- While there is no required major for law school, many pre-law students major in subjects such as political science, history, or English.
Step 2: Attend an ABA-accredited Law School
- After completing your bachelor’s degree, you must attend an American Bar Association-accredited law school (ABA).
- More than 200 law schools in the United States are accredited by the ABA. A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is required, which usually takes three years to complete.
Step 3: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- You must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) before applying to law school.
- This is a standardized test that most law schools require as part of the admissions process.
- The LSAT assesses your abilities in critical reading, verbal reasoning, and analytical thinking, all of which are essential for success as a lawyer.
Step 4: Pass a Character and Fitness Test
- Before you can start practising law, you must first pass a character and fitness test.
- This test will look at your moral character, integrity and fitness to practice law.
- Any prior criminal convictions or disciplinary actions, as well as any evidence of substance abuse or mental health problems, will be considered in the evaluation.
Step 5: Pass the Bar Exam
- You must pass the bar exam in the state in which you intend to practice after completing law school and passing the character and fitness test.
- The bar exam is usually a two-day exam that covers both state and federal law.
Step 6: Additional Requirements
- Some states may impose additional requirements in addition to the bar exam.
- Some states, for example, require you to complete an ethics exam or supervised practice before you can practice law independently.