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To become a lawyer in the US, one must complete an accredited degree program, attend an accredited law school, learn broad legal areas, complete an internship, and pass the state bar exam. Foreign-trained lawyers may also be able to practice in the US after evaluation of their credentials.
Whether you are just deciding on a career in the legal profession or looking to immigrate to the United States and continue an already established career as a lawyer, there are several essential steps that are required to become a lawyer in the US. Here are some basic points to consider.
For a US citizen who wants to become a lawyer, the process begins with successfully completing a degree program at an accredited university or college. This can be a bachelor’s degree in just about any discipline. Typically, degrees that encourage close attention to detail and the development of solid research skills are a good option. A degree in English, history, or political science can go a long way toward developing habits that will serve the individual well in an effort to become a lawyer.
Next, acceptance into an accredited law school is essential. Most law schools require an entrance exam and will use these scores along with past academic performance to determine whether a candidate can be admitted. Upon acceptance, the student will need to comply with all stipulations associated with admission before starting classes.
Understanding that even if you plan to focus on a specific discipline within your legal practice, you will spend the first few years of your training to become a lawyer learning broad legal areas. This will provide you with a proper foundation of current laws, precedents and procedures that will be useful for years to come. Patience is sometimes required as the importance of the data may not seem apparent at first.
During the final part of your formal education, you’ll want to invest in an internship. This can be during summer break or part-time during school sessions. The clerk will provide you with valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of a law firm, as well as allowing you to start interacting with your peers in the legal field.
After graduating from law school, your final step will be to take the exam required by your state of residence. Upon successful completion of the exam, you may receive credentials from the State Bar Association and be registered with the state court system to practice law.
For attorneys trained outside the United States, it is possible to obtain recognition of your previous credentials and be able to become a lawyer in the United States. Many state bars will evaluate past educational credentials and admit an attorney from another country to practice law upon successful completion of the exam. In some cases, the educational level may be deemed not to be up to the standards required to become an attorney in the United States, and the candidate may be required to take courses at an accredited national law school before permission to take the exam is granted. .
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