Becoming A Reader Of The Law: A Guide

Becoming a reader of the law is an alternative route to a legal career that combines apprenticeship with self-study under the guidance of a practicing attorney or judge. This path, also known as reading the law, offers a unique way to enter the legal profession without a law degree from an accredited school. This method was the primary way to become a lawyer before the rise of formal law schools and has been used by notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. Today, only a few states in the US, such as California, Vermont, and Washington, allow this path to legal practice. Aspiring lawyers who choose this route must commit to a rigorous study plan and periodic assessments, ultimately aiming to pass the state bar examination.

The history of reading the law

During colonial times, there were no law schools in America or England. Legal procedures in the 17th century were quite informal, with judges discussing issues directly with those involved in a case. Citizens generally represented themselves, but by 1700, judges and judicial procedures had become much more formal. To win a case, a client needed a lawyer to handle the arguments, cite the precedents, and neutralize the opposing counsel.

Colonial lawyers learned their skills by apprenticing in the office of an established lawyer, where they would read legal texts and engage in clerical duties such as drawing up routine contracts and wills. This became known as reading law. Sometimes, they would study on their own by reading legal texts without an apprenticeship. After reading the law, prospective lawyers would be admitted to the local court to practice law.

The first law schools emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The College of William and Mary set up the first chair in law in 1779, and the Litchfield Law School, founded in 1782 in Connecticut, became the first independent law school. However, the apprenticeship system continued to be the primary method of legal education in the United States before the rise of formal law schools in the 19th and 20th centuries.

With the advent of law schools and the proliferation of law degrees, reading the law saw a significant decline. The American Bar Association, formed in 1878, began pressing states to limit admission to the Bar to those who had completed several years of post-graduate institutional instruction. By the 1890s, the new standard was to attend at least a couple of years of law school before being admitted to the bar.

Today, reading the law is a rare path to becoming a lawyer, with only a few states in the US still permitting legal apprenticeship. However, it remains an intriguing alternative for those seeking a more flexible, accessible, and cost-effective route into the legal profession.

Pros and cons of reading the law

Pros of Reading the Law

• Multiple opportunities to choose from: Legal professionals have many career options and can specialise in different areas of law, such as business law, criminal law, or real estate law. They can also choose what field to specialise in, such as helping people as a public defender or representing the interests of victims of crimes as a criminal prosecutor.
• Financial benefits: Attorneys in the United States can expect to earn somewhere between $60,000 and $110,000 annually, with some lawyers earning a national average salary of $50,979 per year.
• Prestige and respect: Lawyers, especially those from reputable firms, are considered respectable and prestigious by most people in society. The level of authority that comes with being highly educated is often associated with lawyers.
• Intellectual stimulation: Lawyers need to understand complex legal theories and determine the possible outcomes for their clients when it comes to a case. This involves solving problems, forming a hypothesis, and creating a legal strategy to benefit the client in the courtroom.
• Flexibility: Lawyers can often fit their schedule to their particular needs, with some working from home. This allows them to spend more time with their families and achieve a greater work-life balance.
• Transferable skills: Lawyers gain valuable skills such as advanced research skills, excellent analytical skills, and exceptional writing and editing skills. These skills can be useful in other careers, such as in real estate or customer service.
• Ability to help others: Lawyers can help businesses and people in need, providing emotional rewards and a sense of fulfilment.
• Work environment: Lawyers often work in law firms, corporations, or government agencies, avoiding the traditional office cubicle. They may also have access to perks such as decorating budgets, plush accommodations, and gym memberships.
• Variety of career options: Lawyers can choose from several career options in both the public and private sectors.

Cons of Reading the Law

• High-stress environment: Lawyers often face stressful situations and long hours, with some working 60 to 90 hours a week. This can lead to a poor work-life balance and negative impacts on mental health.
• Difficult clients: Lawyers may have to work with challenging clients or those with opposing morals. They may not always have the luxury of choosing their clients, especially if they want to earn a steady income.
• Expensive education: The cost of legal education can be very high, with expenses in the best law schools in the U.S. reaching up to $150,000 per year. This can result in significant student loan debt and long-term financial implications.
• Outsourced lawyers: The practice of outsourcing lawyers from foreign countries due to lower labour costs is becoming more common, creating more competition for attorneys in the United States.
• Negative stigma: Lawyers may face a negative reputation and jokes from the general public, even if they win their cases.
• Time commitment: Law school typically requires a significant time commitment of three to four years, delaying entry into the workforce and limiting flexibility in course selection.
• Competition: The job market for lawyers is highly competitive, with strong competition for positions. The number of recent graduates often exceeds the job opportunities available.

States where reading the law is permitted

In the United States, "reading the law" refers to entering the legal profession without a formal law degree. Instead, aspiring lawyers undertake an apprenticeship or extended internship under the guidance of a practicing lawyer or judge. This path, though rare today, was historically the primary method of legal education in the country.

As of 2024, only four US states continue to permit people to become lawyers by reading the law: California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. In these states, aspiring lawyers can take the bar exam after studying under a judge or attorney for a period of three or four years.

Two additional states, New York and Maine, allow reading the law in combination with some law school education. In New York, applicants must complete at least one year of law school study, while in Maine, applicants must have finished at least two-thirds of a law degree.

Qualifications and requirements to start reading the law

To start reading the law, there are several qualifications and requirements that must be met. This method of legal education is only permitted in a few US states, including California, Vermont, Washington, and Virginia. In these states, aspiring lawyers can take the bar exam after studying under the supervision of a judge or practising attorney for a specified period, typically three to four years.

The specific requirements to start reading the law vary by state but generally include:

• Being of legal age (usually 18 or older)
• Having a certain level of education, often at least a high school diploma or equivalent
• Passing a background check
• Finding a qualified legal mentor, such as an experienced attorney or judge, who is willing to supervise the apprenticeship

In some states, there may be additional requirements. For example, in California, apprentices must pass the First-Year Law Students' Examination, commonly known as the "baby bar," at the end of the first year of their apprenticeship. They must also file regular progress reports with the state bar.

It is important to note that reading the law is a rare path to becoming a lawyer today. Most people who enter the legal profession do so by obtaining a law degree from an accredited law school and passing the bar exam. However, for those who have the self-discipline and motivation to undertake this unconventional route, reading the law can offer benefits such as cost savings and personalised mentorship.

Finding a mentor for reading the law

A mentor is someone experienced in the industry who encourages someone else in their personal and professional growth. This person can spot strengths and weaknesses that mentees may not know they have and offer constructive criticism to help move their careers forward. A mentor can also help a mentee set career goals, search for a job, and prepare for a proper work-life balance, networking, and the business side of law.

Where to find a mentor

• Your immediate network: Ask experienced lawyers you already know out for coffee or lunch. It may be intimidating, but it's a great way to gather practicable tips.
• Law school career services office: Many law schools offer programs to match alumni mentors and mentees. Reach out to your law school’s career services office and see what resources are available.
• Alumni events: Get involved in alumni organisations for your high school, university, and law school. Alumni events can yield relationships that may morph into a mentor-mentee relationship.
• Organisations that foster legal mentorship: Many organisations exist to foster legal mentorship opportunities. Most organisations offer mentors for young lawyers as well as students. Examples include the Legal Mentor Network, National Legal Mentoring Consortium, and Practicing Attorneys for Law Students Program (PALS).
• Bar associations and committees: Bar associations often have young lawyer divisions or committees that have mentorship programs. Reach out to your state and local bar associations to see what programs are available to you.
• Networking events: Keep your eyes open and scroll through LinkedIn for upcoming networking events in your area, push yourself to attend and see what happens.
• Your professional association: One of the benefits of joining a professional organisation is the opportunity it provides to find a mentor. In an association, you’re surrounded by people who are actively engaged in the industry.
• Your firm’s mentoring program: If your firm has a formal mentoring program, consider taking advantage of it. Mentors who participate in such programs usually have the skills, work habits, and personality traits that are valued at your particular office.
• Events: Both virtual and in-person events can be a great place to find a mentor. You can drop an informal ask in your networks to be introduced to potential mentors.
• Formal mentoring schemes: Consider a commercial mentoring platform or a formal mentoring scheme, such as the Juro community’s mutual mentoring programme.

What to look for in a mentor

• Compatibility: Choose someone you feel compatible with and who you feel comfortable asking questions and seeking feedback from.
• Encouragement: Look for a mentor who encourages you to step out of your comfort zone to get a different perspective on your career.
• Experience: You want a mentor with enough experience to guide you through the challenges you are facing. Find someone who has navigated through their share of challenges and has learned enough to pass on.
• Trust: You will likely be sharing private information with your mentor, so trust is very important. Understand that it will take some time to build this trust even with the most highly-recommended mentor.

How to approach a potential mentor

Ask for the first meeting. A coffee or video call is a low-commitment way to get to know each other and see if you’re the right fit for each other. If you do succeed in connecting with a potential mentor, write them a short, thoughtful message where you define what you would like from them and how they can help you.

Frequently asked questions