collageBecoming a lawyer usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school—4 years of undergraduate study, followed by 3 years of law school. Most states and jurisdictions require lawyers to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Some lawyers pursue careers as consultants, judges, or politicians, but most lawyers work in the legal field, advising or representing individual citizens, companies, or governments. Suited to ambitious, rational individuals with excellent research, writing, and speaking skills, lawyer jobs typically require a juris doctor (JD) degree and successful performance on a state bar exam.
Lawyers may serve as legal defense or as prosecuting attorneys. They usually specialize in areas of law such as criminal law, family law, constitutional law, or business law. Other law specializations include personal injury, worker’s compensation, contract, and disability or social security. Some lawyers advocate for human rights, filing court actions that can lead to potentially impactful official orders.
Lawyer salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates a median annual salary of $122,960 — more than twice the annual median wage for all occupations. The BLS also projects a promising job outlook of 6% growth between 2018-2028.
Lawyer jobs and duties vary depending on employer, field, and work context. Some professionals primarily provide legal counsel, while other lawyers represent clients regularly in court. Other possible work contexts include private practices, law firms, government organizations, and corporate offices. Possible roles include public interest lawyer, government prosecutor, in-house corporate counsel, or public defense attorney.
Whether tasked with representing their clients in private legal matters or in court, lawyers often spend considerable time researching and preparing cases. These duties may begin with interviewing and counseling clients concerning their legal rights, responsibilities, and decisions. Lawyers may also research and analyze legal problems and interpret existing laws, precedents, and regulations. These professionals usually prepare and present cases using persuasive arguments and evidence.
Other duties include communicating with other legal professionals, supervising legal assistants and secretaries, and liaising between involved parties. Lawyers may also prepare and file legal documents such as contracts, wills, or lawsuits.
When representing clients in the courtroom, lawyers need to manage stress and speak well under pressure. Lawyer jobs also typically require advanced critical thinking, research, and interpersonal skills. Legal careers typically afford professionals considerable variety in daily tasks, which may include meeting with clients, conducting research, composing legal documents, or conducting trials.
EARN AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
For admission to law school, aspiring lawyers usually need to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Most law schools do not require specific major prerequisites. Students interested in intellectual property law may benefit from an undergraduate degree in math or technical science to prepare for the patent bar examination. Law schools often look for top students with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
PASS THE LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST (LSAT)
Students applying to law school must pass the LSAT, a standardized test that evaluates reading and verbal reasoning skills. The test takes half a day and is offered four times per year at many locations. Students interested in fall admission should take the test in October or June, although December scores are usually accepted. LSAT scores weigh heavily in admission and financial aid decisions.
EARN A LAW DEGREE
Lawyer requirements typically include a graduate law degree (usually a JD) from an accredited law school. Most states require that aspiring lawyers obtain this degree before taking the bar exam. Law school typically entails three years of full-time study, and many graduates complete a one-year clerkship afterward.
PASS THE MULTISTATE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY EXAMINATION (MPRE)
Required by all U.S. states and jurisdictions except Wisconsin, Maryland, and Puerto Rico, this two-hour ethics exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and is a prerequisite for the bar exam.
PASS THE BAR EXAMINATION
Aspiring lawyers usually must pass the bar exam in their future state of practice. Passing rates for the bar exam drop as low as 40% in some states, so solid preparation is crucial.
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