With advancements in technology, networking and innovation of new fields, the necessity of having lawyers around has risen noticeably. Although considered quite tough but the law profession is one of the high paying and a rewarding career. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for lawyers would increase by ten percent by the year 2020. So, if you wish to become a lawyer you must carefully take the steps required for your law education, examinations, licensing processes, and getting higher law education. The most important question you need to ask yourself is why you want to become a lawyer. The second one would be whether you are committed enough to take up several years of rigorous education and training to attain your goals. If you have strong motivation to become a lawyer, then continue reading the requirements to become a lawyer in the 50 states of the U.S., Canada, and the District of Columbia.

• Must have an undergraduate degree from a nationally/ regionally accredited institute


• Must pass the Law Admission Test (LSAT)


• Must apply to the American Bar Association-accredited (ABA) law schools


• Must have a two year graduation known as Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree


• Must take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)


• Must have a clean record to pass the moral character screening process


• Must pass the state bar exam (the State Bar Examination)

The above mentioned are the basic requirements to becoming a lawyer. They are necessary but they alone may not be a guarantee that you’ll become one. This is just the beginning.

To become a lawyer you may begin your preparations right from the school years. Yes, that’s true. You need not wait to finish your undergraduate degree and then start building up your career. You may begin right from your high school by bringing best consistent grades and by taking a firm decision that you would become a successful lawyer. Maintain your CGPA above 3. You should actively participate in your high school debates and mock trials to train yourself a tough inquisitor. You should be quick at finding flaws in arguments, separating facts from opinions, and thinking on the feet. Doing volunteer work, such as running for student government, would definitely pay you in the long run.

You must earn a bachelor’s degree first, followed by LSAT exam to get into a law school. The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is the law degree you’ll receive on your graduation from the ABA accredited law school. It takes two years to a maximum of seven years to complete your J.D. degree. As a second possibility, you may also take up online JD degree course with online law schools, but be mindful that most bar associations may not allow a full online JD as ABA accredited education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there is growth potential of 6% from 2014 to 2024, with a median salary of $115,820. No doubt, you can expect a fairly tough law job competition across the U.S.

Tips:

While still a law student, avail the opportunities to complete part-time summer jobs at law firms, government agencies, and corporate offices. Consider these as your long term job investment chances.

Pass your State Bar written exam as a license requirement before beginning law practice in the U.S. This would be followed by the passing of a separate written ethics exam.

Once all the requirements are fulfilled, it’s the high time to apply (in person or online) for a lawyer’s job. You should have a strong grasp on the area of your legal expertise and what kind of legal work you would step into.

Since different states may offer different selection procedures, these are the general guidelines