A lawyer spends about 7 years at law college learning the law. This typically breaks down to 4 years of graduate school and 3 years actual coursework. A bachelor's degree is usually required to enroll in law school with certain requirements in public speaking, business, government, law, history, math, and English. Graduates then must sit the state bar exam to be eligible to practice in a state.
The Department of State sets the rules and criteria for lawyers to participate in and pass the state bar examinations. There are various different levels of participation that may be required for different law firms and different positions within law firms. Students should make sure that they are familiar with all of the requirements to get into law school, as well as what is required of them once they have graduated. Law school can take many years and costs a lot of money, so it is important to be prepared and take classes and prepare for the state bar examination.
Law school can be found through most community colleges or universities. Students need to apply to a number of different schools before they find the one that is right for them. Law schools can be public or private. Public law schools are supported by state governments, while private law schools are supported by private foundations and generally run by a family firm. Many private institutions of higher learning are accredited by the American Bar Association.
When looking at which law schools will give you the best chance at becoming a lawyer, you should look at the requirements for the same type of positions that you hope to fill while you are attending school. For example, there are many different positions in corporate America that a person can fill while in law school, including corporate attorneys. A business career test can be used to help determine the types of positions available at a particular law school. You may even be interested in working in the field of criminal law after your graduation.
A criminal defense attorney is a lawyer who defends those charged with criminal conduct, such as murder, arson, embezzlement, solicitation, conspiracy, assault, solicitation, possession of drugs or substances under the Controlled Substances Act, money laundering, conspiracy to commit a crime, theft, fraud, or other criminal acts. A civil lawyer, on the other hand, represents those accused of civil conduct, such as accidents, negligence, breach of contract, slander, hostility, professional misconduct, misfeasance, and professional malpractice. An immigration lawyer is a lawyer who represents individuals who are trying to reach an agreement in regards to their immigration status or who are trying to overcome an immigration violation. A family lawyer represents those seeking to deal with the issues surrounding family-related issues, including marriage, divorce, adoption, child support, custody, termination of parental rights, visitation, and other family-related issues. An employment lawyer is a lawyer who represents individuals who have been charged with discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.
Many law students prefer working with a local lawyer. While working with an attorney locally may be preferable, it may not be possible for you to afford a lawyer who lives far from you. If you work on a contract basis, it might be possible to hire more local lawyers for your legal matters. In addition, many local attorneys are familiar with your work, thus making it easier for you to connect with them on a personal level. Therefore, when you are looking for legal counsel, it is important to find an attorney who lives near you so that he or she can easily come to your help when you need it most.