Becoming An Attorney: Steps To Take For Law School

Becoming an attorney at law is a challenging and rewarding career path. Lawyers are licensed to practice law and represent clients in court, providing legal advice and navigating the complex legal system. To become a lawyer, you must complete several academic and licensing steps, including obtaining an undergraduate degree, passing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), earning a Juris Doctor (JD) law degree, and passing the state bar examination. The process is rigorous and requires dedication, but it can lead to a promising career with a lucrative salary.

Undergraduate degree

Aspiring attorneys must first obtain a bachelor's degree. While there is no specific major required for law school, courses in English, history, political science, and philosophy can provide a solid foundation for legal studies. It is important to maintain a high GPA, as law school admissions are competitive. Additionally, participating in extracurricular activities such as debate clubs, student government, or internships related to the legal field can be advantageous.

The next step is to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which assesses reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. A high LSAT score is crucial for admission to a reputable law school. Preparing for the LSAT often involves months of study, and many candidates take preparatory courses or work with tutors to improve their performance.

Once admitted to law school, students will work toward earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Law school typically takes three years of full-time study and covers subjects such as constitutional law, contracts, property law, civil procedure, criminal law, and legal writing. Success in law school requires excellent study habits, analytical thinking, and the ability to synthesize complex information.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a crucial step in the process of becoming an attorney at law. It is a standardised test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to assess candidates' reading comprehension and logical reasoning skills. The test has existed in some form since 1948 and is currently offered in a digital format. The LSAT is designed to predict a candidate's performance in law school and is considered by admissions officers as an objective measure of a candidate's knowledge and quality.

The LSAT consists of multiple-choice questions and an unscored writing sample. The multiple-choice section evaluates a candidate's verbal reasoning and reading skills, while the writing sample assesses their argumentation and critical thinking abilities. The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120 to 180 points, with a median score of around 150.

The test is offered four times a year at hundreds of locations worldwide and takes half a day to complete. It is recommended to take the test in October or June for fall admission, although December scores are usually accepted. LSAT scores play a significant role in admission and financial aid decisions, so it is important to prepare thoroughly and take the test seriously.

The LSAT is an integral part of the law school admission process and is required by most law schools. A high LSAT score can increase your chances of gaining admission to a law school of your choice and open up more options for your legal education. Therefore, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with the test format, practice with official prep tests, and prepare as thoroughly as possible.

Juris Doctor Law Degree

A Juris Doctor (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States, it is the only law degree that qualifies someone to practice law. In other jurisdictions, such as Australia, Canada, and Hong Kong, both the postgraduate JD degree and undergraduate LL.B., BCL, or other qualifying law degrees are offered, depending on the requirements of the jurisdiction in which the person will practice law.

The JD degree is considered a "first degree" in law and is typically a three-year, full-time program. However, many law schools offer part-time programs that take approximately four years to complete. In the US, admission to a JD program requires a bachelor's degree, though the admission requirements differ in other countries.

The curriculum of a JD program typically includes fundamental legal subjects such as constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, contracts, property, and torts, along with opportunities for specialisation in areas like international law, corporate law, or public policy.

Upon receiving a JD, graduates must pass a bar examination to be licensed to practice law. In the US, the majority of individuals holding a JD degree must pass a bar examination to be fully authorised to practice law in the courts of a given state, except in the state of Wisconsin.

The JD has the academic standing of a professional doctorate in the US and is described as a "doctor's degree – professional practice" by the US Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. In contrast, in Australia, South Korea, and Hong Kong, it has the academic standing of a master's degree, while in Canada, it is considered a second-entry bachelor's degree.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a requirement for admission to the bars of almost all US jurisdictions. It is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice exam that is administered three times per year. The test is developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and delivered by their test contractor, Pearson VUE, at their testing centres. The MPRE is a prerequisite for the bar exam, which is the final step to becoming a lawyer.

The MPRE is not a test of an individual's personal ethical values, but rather their knowledge and understanding of the established standards related to the professional conduct of lawyers. The exam covers the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct, and controlling constitutional decisions and generally accepted principles established in leading federal and state cases and in procedural and evidentiary rules.

The MPRE is complex and tricky by design, as it aims to test your ability to think like a practising attorney or sitting judge when ethical situations are unclear. Each US state and jurisdiction determines its own passing score, and these are subject to change. The MPRE score is reported on a scale ranging from 50 (low) to 150 (high).

The MPRE registration process has multiple steps and must be completed by the deadline. Candidates must also apply for any required accommodations before registering and scheduling their test appointment. On the test day, candidates should arrive at the testing centre at least 30 minutes early. They will be provided with a computer, an erasable note board or scrap paper, and a marker.

Bar exam

The bar exam is the final step towards becoming a licensed attorney in the United States. Administered by agencies of individual states and territories, the bar exam is a prerequisite for practising law in any state or jurisdiction. The exam is typically held over two days, with some states administering a 2.5- or 3-day exam. The format and content covered vary for each state, but there is a growing trend towards adopting the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).

The UBE is a 2-day exam, coordinated by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and administered, graded, and scored by individual states. It consists of:

• The Multistate Performance Test (MPT), which is an open-book exam that tests your fundamental lawyering skills.
• The Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), which tests your ability to identify legal issues, separate relevant and irrelevant facts, and demonstrate an understanding of fundamental legal principles.
• The Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a multiple-choice exam testing your knowledge of Constitutional Law, Contracts/Sales, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Federal Civil Procedure, Real Property, and Torts.

The bar exam is known for being challenging, with passing rates as low as 40% in some states. It is designed to test a candidate's ability to think like a lawyer and prove their competency to practice law. While the exam is difficult, it is important to remember that it is a pass/fail exam, and you only need to do well enough in enough areas to pass.

In addition to passing the bar exam, there are other requirements for becoming a licensed attorney, including completing a law degree from an accredited law school and, in most states, passing an ethics exam known as the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).

Frequently asked questions