Becoming An Attorney: Steps To Practicing Law

Attorney-at-law is the formal name for a lawyer. To become a lawyer, you must complete a series of steps, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, examinations, and licensing processes. The path to becoming a lawyer can be challenging and time-consuming, but it can lead to a promising and rewarding career. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to become an attorney-at-law:

- Earn an undergraduate degree: A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for admission to law school. While no specific field of study is mandatory, choosing a major that interests you can help improve your GPA, which is crucial for law school admissions.

- Pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT): The LSAT is a standardised test that evaluates your reading and verbal reasoning skills and is a core component of the law school admissions process.

- Identify law schools and complete applications: Only consider law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Factors such as GPA, LSAT scores, community service, and recommendation letters are considered for admissions.

- Earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree: The JD degree is recognised nationally for practising law in the US. Choose a program that offers a curriculum in your area of interest, such as real estate, criminal law, or environmental law.

- Pass the state bar examination: Most states require graduation from an ABA-approved law school and passing the bar exam to qualify to practise law in that state. The exam typically consists of multiple-choice questions and essay questions.

Undergraduate degree

To become an attorney at law, you will need to obtain an undergraduate degree. This is the first step towards becoming a lawyer and a mandatory requirement for admission to law school.

There is no specific major that aspiring lawyers are recommended to pursue at the undergraduate level. The American Bar Association (ABA) notes that students gain admission to law school from a wide range of academic backgrounds, from English and history to mathematics and political science. However, for those interested in property law, a degree in math or a technical science such as computer science, electrical engineering, chemistry, or biology is required to sit for the patent bar.

It is important to maintain a high grade point average (GPA), preferably above 3.0, as this is a factor that law schools consider during the admissions process. Additionally, taking courses that you enjoy and are interested in can help improve your GPA and make you a more competitive candidate.

After completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which evaluates your reading and verbal reasoning skills, critical thinking, and analytical abilities. A high LSAT score can increase your chances of gaining admission to law school, especially if your GPA is not as competitive.

Once you have obtained your undergraduate degree and achieved a satisfactory LSAT score, you can begin the process of applying to law schools and taking the next steps towards becoming an attorney at law.

Pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Passing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a crucial step in becoming an attorney at law. The LSAT is a standardised test that serves as a core component of the law school admissions process. It consists of five multiple-choice sections and an unscored writing sample, evaluating candidates in critical areas such as reading comprehension, information management, analysis, critical thinking, reasoning, and argumentation. A high LSAT score can increase your chances of gaining admission to a law school of your choice.

The LSAT assesses your verbal reasoning and reading skills and is usually a half-day test offered four times a year at various locations worldwide. It is recommended to take the test in October or June for fall semester admissions, with December scores usually being the latest accepted.

The LSAT is a significant factor in law school admissions and financial aid decisions, so it is important to prepare thoroughly and take it seriously. A good LSAT score can offset a lower GPA and enhance your overall application.

Earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a crucial step in becoming an attorney at law. This degree is the nationally recognised qualification for practising law in the United States and is currently offered by 205 law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Prospective students should carefully research the faculty, areas of study, tuition and curriculum before applying.

There are numerous legal specialisations, and students should select a programme that offers a focused curriculum in their area of interest. For example, students may choose to concentrate on real estate, property, criminal, environmental, tax, or family law. Typically, students can complete their Juris Doctor in three years of full-time study.

Corporate law, for instance, is a lucrative field that deals with the formation and dissolution of corporations, mergers and acquisitions, corporate disputes, and more. On the other hand, family law focuses on legal relations between families, including marriage, divorce, domestic partnerships, adoption, and child welfare.

The curriculum during the first year of a Juris Doctor programme is generally reserved for core coursework and an introduction to elective classes, providing students with a foundational understanding of legal procedure, policies, legal analysis, and writing. Coursework in the second and third years consists almost entirely of electives, allowing students to create a specialised programme of study.

In addition to electives, many law schools offer concentrations or specialisations. For example, students can pursue a concentration in public law, advocacy, business law, appellate law, or international law.

Completing a Juris Doctor degree is a significant step towards becoming an attorney at law, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to practise law effectively.

Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)

Passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a crucial step towards becoming an attorney at law. The MPRE is a prerequisite for the bar examination in 49 of the 50 states in the US, as well as in several other jurisdictions. Only Wisconsin and Puerto Rico do not require the MPRE, but they still incorporate local ethics rules in their bar exams.

The MPRE is a 120-minute, 60-question, multiple-choice exam that assesses your knowledge of professional conduct and legal ethics. It is designed to be complex and tricky, testing your ability to think like a practising attorney or judge when faced with unclear ethical situations. The exam is based on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct, and other established standards.

The MPRE is offered three times a year, in March, August, and November. It is administered online by Pearson VUE, and you should register as early as possible to secure your preferred testing centre location. You will need to present approved primary and secondary IDs when you arrive at the testing centre.

The MPRE is a scaled exam, with scores ranging from 50 to 150. Your raw score will be adjusted based on the performance of everyone taking the exam, so it is challenging to determine exactly how many questions you need to answer correctly to pass. You will typically receive your score within five weeks of the exam date, and it will be available in your online account until the next exam.

Each jurisdiction sets its own passing score, and these may change. For example, the lowest passing score accepted by any jurisdiction is 75, while the highest score required is 86 in Utah and California. It is important to check the current passing score for your desired jurisdiction.

You can increase your chances of passing the MPRE by preparing thoroughly. Many law students find it helpful to take a Professional Responsibility (PR) class at their law school before or during their second year. This can provide a strong foundation for the exam. Additionally, you can enrol in a comprehensive review course specifically designed for the MPRE, such as the BARBRI MPRE Review, which offers timely and detailed materials to help you prepare.

Pass the Bar Examination

Passing the Bar Examination is the final step to becoming a lawyer. Most states require lawyers to graduate from an ABA-approved law school and pass the state bar exam before they can qualify to practise law in that state. Although each state sets its own testing guidelines, the bar exam is usually a two-day process. On day one, candidates complete the Multistate Bar Examination, and on day two, they sit writing examinations covering various legal matters.

In addition to the bar exam, the state board of bar examiners will also consider the candidate's educational background, competence, character, and ability to represent others in legal matters before offering full legal licensure. Passing rates for the bar exam can be as low as 40% in some states, so thorough preparation is crucial.

The bar exam usually consists of multiple-choice and essay questions that evaluate your knowledge of state law and your ability to apply the law critically to various fact-based scenarios.

Frequently asked questions