Justia Lawyer Rating
10 Best, Attorney Client Satisfaction Badge from the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
Top 100 Trial Lawyers Badge from The National Trial Lawyers
Top 100 Badge from America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys
NADC
Avoo Rating, 10.0 Scott Grabel
Top 10, Attorney and Practice Magazine's, Criminal Defense Law Firm

The Process of Becoming a Lawyer

by Scott Grabel

A lawyer's job is to advise their clients in legal matters, advocating for them, and defending them in court when necessary. Aspiring lawyers require extensive training in legal research, procedure, and writing to be successful. Upon completion of an undergraduate degree, students are required to attend and complete law school with a Juris Doctor degree. Lawyers must then pass the bar exam in the state they wish to practice in order to begin practicing law.

Once you have earned a bachelor's degree, you are able to apply to law school. In most cases, you are required to pass the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, in order to get into law school. If you know what you want to specialize in once completing your law degree, it may help to take courses in that particular field while studying for your undergraduate degree. For instance, if you want to become a criminal attorney, you should take criminal justice courses, while if you are interested in environmental law, it is a good idea to take some courses in environmental science.

There is not a particular field of study that is required when applying to law school but students should work on honing their speaking, reading, and argumentation skills while studying for a degree. Courses in English and political science are generally helpful for students looking to advance such skills. Political science and English courses are also good for strengthening critical thinking skills and preparing to take the Law School Admission Test.

Once an undergraduate degree has been obtained, it is time to apply to law school. Typically, students are in law school for three years and upon completion, earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Law schools do not follow a standardized or mandated curriculum but most schools aim to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the field of law. Law students will also learn how to conduct legal research online and in libraries in addition to learning legal writing. Students normally have to complete one and a half years of law school before beginning to enroll in specialized courses that focus on their particular field. During this time, law students are also encouraged to apply for externships that allow for the observation of and participation in legal procedures. Many law schools also offer law clinics in particular fields, allowing students to work with licensed attorneys in order to meet with clients and research precedents.

After earning a Juris Doctor degree, graduates of law school must take and pass the bar exam in the state in which they are planning to practice. The bar exam can consist of a variety of different tests and will vary depending on the jurisdiction where the test is being taken. The majority of jurisdictions will not only test on knowledge of the law but also on appropriate professional conduct. It may take law school graduates several attempts to pass the bar exam.

Becoming a lawyer requires a substantial amount of schooling and students must be serious about doing well in order to succeed and graduate from law school and then pass the bar exam. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, lawyers can expect to earn a median salary of about $114,000. For more information on becoming a lawyer, including education requirements, passing the bar exam, and more, consult the resources listed below.

Client Reviews

★★★★★
If you are reading these reviews you are about to make a decision that will have a large impact on the rest of your life. I choose Grabel and Associates to represent me in my case and I could not have been more satisfied with the level of professionalism and dedication to their clients. I had the opportunity to meet and work with multiple lawyers in the practice all of which showcased a vast knowledge and understanding of the inner workings of the legal system. When you choose Scott Grabel to represent you will open yourself up to all of his resources. Depending on your case Grabel knows experts in all fields. I worked with polygraph examiners, investigators, and forensics experts. Grabel and Associates will defend without prejudice of innocence or guilt. Scott Grabel was able to lead me through every step of the process with great communication the whole way. I would recommend Scott Grabel and Associates to my friends, family and anyone who is in need of representation. B. A.
★★★★★
Best attorney in state of Michigan. Caring and a true friend. Scott was with us every step of the way. He fought for a great injustice for our son and was able to provide an outcome that gave his life back. L. A.
★★★★★
Scott and his firm did an awesome job representing a family member of mine, I would highly recommend him and his firm! They were extremely reliable, trustworthy and very informative and did a great job with the case. I couldn't be happier with the results that we received, I can't speak highly enough about the great job he did. If you are thinking about using his firm, I would highly recommend, I would definitely use his firm again if needed, he is an a great attorney with a great firm, you won't be disappointed! M. F.
View More
Submit a Law Firm Client Review