If you are considering pursuing a career in the field of law, you may be wondering how to become an attorney.
We can help! The path to becoming a lawyer is not always straightforward, but it can be rewarding. The first step is to choose a law school and apply for admittance. Admissions requirements vary by school, so make sure to do your research and find one that fits your needs. Once accepted, you will begin taking classes as part of your undergraduate education. These courses will include classes like constitutional law and criminal justice theory, as well as more specific courses like torts or contracts law. In addition to classes, all law students must complete an internship before graduation. This experience will give them hands-on experience working with clients and provide valuable networking opportunities later in life.
The next step after graduating from law school is passing the bar exam in your state or jurisdiction of residence. In order to pass this test, students must have studied very hard during their undergraduate years because it covers material taught during those years such as criminal law and civil rights issues that may arise while practicing law professionally.”
How To Become An Attorney
Lawyer Salaries
The BLS reports that the median annual wage for lawyers was about $126,930 in 2020, with the top 10 percent of earners taking home more than $208,000 per year. Those working in state and local government tend to earn less while lawyers specializing in financial and insurance law are in the top bracket.
Prospective lawyers considering where to practice law should also be aware that in 25 states, the annual salaries surpassed the national average. The District of Columbia topped this list in 2020, with lawyers taking home $197,100. Below is a list of the top ten paying states for lawyers in 2020, according to the BLS.
| STATES | 2020 AVERAGE SALARY |
|---|---|
| California | $179,470 |
| New York | $174,060 |
| Massachusetts | $169,120 |
| Connecticut | $158,190 |
| Illinois | $153,720 |
| Virginia | $151,970 |
| New Jersey | $151,550 |
| Colorado | $148,330 |
| Texas | $142,730 |
| Utah | $141,460 |
Use the map below to compare salary estimates for lawyers by state:
Did You Know?
According to the 2020 Robert Half International Salary Guide for the Legal Field, 87% of lawyers said it’s challenging for their firm or company to find skilled legal professionals today.
Exploring Law Degrees
Undergraduate Degree Options
The educational road to becoming a lawyer begins well before law school. The path is varied, allowing students to customize their approach. For any undergraduate, choosing a major and starting down a career path can be challenging. For the student looking to select a prelaw program, it can be even more difficult given there is no singular path at the undergraduate level.
The American Bar Association (ABA) does not currently recommend any particular discipline to prepare students for advanced legal/law education. According to the ABA, students from nearly every educational discipline are admitted to law schools, ranging from English to history, political science to business. Popular undergraduate degree areas to consider include philosophy, economics, political science, journalism, and math.
Law schools examine the student’s background, grades, overall GPA, and scores from the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The ABA recommends students pursue an undergraduate program that is broad in nature and affords the opportunity to develop core skills in the following areas:
Critical analysisProblem solvingResearchCritical readingProject managementTime managementListening comprehensionSpeakingWriting
These skills share a common trait–they are relied upon by lawyers in all legal fields. Law school teaches future lawyers how to think like a lawyer, and critical thinking and reading are the basis for judgment and evaluation. Students learn how to critically analyze their own thinking process. Lawyers must also be expert communicators who can prepare, understand, explain, and defend complex legal documents such as contracts or court opinions. Because the ultimate goal of legal practice is to win cases, the above skills are crucial for developing and presenting persuasive arguments.
Prospective students should be aware that some universities and colleges have prelaw advisors to assist them in selecting a major, preparing for the LSAT, gathering letters of recommendation, and applying to law school.
Advanced Degrees in Law
In order to practice law, students must typically complete an undergraduate degree, earn a Juris Doctor (JD) diploma, and pass their state’s bar examination. Having an understanding of the types of law degrees available will allow students to make practical, informed decisions about whether or not to pursue a career in legal services and law. There are six advanced programs that lead to different occupations within the field. These include:
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD)
- Doctor of Jurisprudence (JSD)
- Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) or Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)
- Doctor of Comparative Law (DCL)
The following sections will discuss the most common advanced degrees in law.
The Juris Doctor
The minimum educational requirement to sit for a state bar examination is a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved institution. The degree typically takes about three years of full-time study to complete. According to the ABA, there are currently 205 approved higher education providers. Not to be confused with other degrees such as the Doctor of Science of Law, the JD is a professional degree specifically designed to train future lawyers and prepare them for the bar examination.
The Juris Doctor curriculum provides students with a broad education, covering modern issues in the legal system within the ABA-mandated 84-90 post- baccalaureate credit hours. The first year of the program is generally reserved for core coursework and an introduction to elective classes to provide students with a foundational understanding of legal procedure, policies, legal analysis, and writing.
Coursework during the second and third years consists almost entirely of electives, allowing students to fashion a specialized program of study. In addition, many law schools also offer students the opportunity to pursue a concentration in areas such as public law, advocacy, business law, appellate law, or international law. Some of the electives available may include:
- Intellectual propertyA survey of the foundations of protecting intellectual property, including a review of the three major legal mechanisms in the field: trademark, patent, and copyright.
- Administrative lawThis course introduces students to the body of law concerning administrative agencies and includes the study of topics such as the Administrative Procedure Act and regulatory reform.
- Legislation and regulationIn this class, students receive an introduction to the role of legislative bodies, including the study of statutes and regulations, from formation to enforcement, analysis to interpretation.
- Corporate practiceThis class is designed to prepare students for future practice in corporate settings. It introduces them to corporate legal issues such as contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and joint ventures.
Below is a list of courses frequently offered within a JD program, alongside a list of skills and knowledge students should gain from the class.
Legal Skills
Introduces students to the elements of practicing law, including legal analysis, policy, and writing.
Skills & Knowledge Gained
Conduct effective legal researchCite case law properlyDraft litigation documents, correspondence, and motions
Contracts
Students are introduced to the basic principles of contracts, including creation, termination, and alteration.
Skills & Knowledge Gained
Ability to draft professional documentsKeen understanding of contracts, trusts, wills, and employment agreements
Civil Procedure
Students gain an understanding of court procedures that do not involve criminal matters; includes the study of trial litigation, discovery process, and jurisdictional rules.
Skills & Knowledge Gained
Understanding of civil case lawKnowledge of rules of discovery in civil proceedingsUnderstanding of objectives and processes in civil transactions
Constitutional Law
Teaches students about the U.S. Constitution and how it structures the legal system.
Skills & Knowledge Gained
Ability to interpret the Constitution and apply it to modern day lawUnderstanding of the three branches of government and the role of a lawyer within the legal system
Torts
This course examines civil liabilities of conduct and topics such as medical malpractice and tort reform.
Skills & Knowledge Gained
Ability to articulate legal rules in tort area of practiceKnowledge of civil liabilityUnderstanding of negligence, strict liability, and intentional wrongdoing
The Master of Laws
The Master of Laws (LLM) is a specialized degree designed for practicing lawyers or professionals who have already graduated from a JD program. Traditionally completed in one year, the LLM provides a broad course of study that enhances a student’s knowledge of both law and legal theory. Examples of ideal candidates for LLM programs include judges, lawyers, law professors, and government officials. This degree usually requires students to complete 20 to 26 academic credit hours to qualify for graduation. The LLM curriculum structure is built on flexibility and diversity, allowing students to focus their studies in a particular section of law. Areas of specialization include international business, property, entertainment and media, civil litigation, and taxation, to name a few.
Concurrent Degrees
The practice of modern law does not occur in a vacuum, but at an intersection of multiple disciplines. Universities and law schools recognize that the field draws upon different areas. As a result, many offer dual or joint degree programs allowing students to earn an additional professional degree to complement their law education. Through these concurrent degree programs, students gain specialized expertise that prepares them for a range of professional opportunities. Some of the most common dual and joint degree programs include the following:
JD/MBA
In these programs, students earn a Master of Business Administration to complement their Juris Doctor degree. Typically requiring approximately 124 credit hours of study, students can complete a JD/MBA in four years of full-time study distributed between the curricula of each area.
JD/MA or JD/MS
This option allows students to earn a JD and Master of Arts or Sciences degree in a range of disciplines, such as international affairs, political science, philosophy, engineering, or environmental science. Generally offered as a dual degree, these programs are designed for students who want to augment their legal expertise by developing specialized knowledge in another discipline.
JD/MPH
The goal of JD/MPH program is to prepare students for a career in public health policy, health law, or a related industry. These programs are typically completed in 3-4 years of full-time study and combine two degree programs—the Juris Doctor and the Master of Public Health.
JD/MPP & JD/MPA
Students considering a career in public policy, administration, or government may earn a Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy or Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration to set them apart in the field. Traditionally, these joint programs require four years of full-time study and prepare graduates for leadership positions in public affairs and domestic and international policy.
JD/PHD
The Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy option is intended for students pursuing research or academic-based roles. Generally speaking, JD/PHD programs can be completed in six years and allow students to combine doctoral studies in any discipline with a Juris Doctor. Example fields include anthropology, history, political science, African-American studies, or psychology.
JD/LLM in Taxation
The Juris Doctor/Master of Laws in Taxation can usually be completed in 3-4 years of full-time study. The LLM in Taxation supplements the student’s legal training, preparing them to pursue a range of tax-related career opportunities both within and outside of tax law.
Law Concentrations
Modern legal practice extends into many different areas, with emerging and rapidly growing industries introducing a new layer of complexity to the practice of law. Through both electives and concentrations, students can focus their education, developing advanced knowledge to address industry-specific legal issues, problems, and concerns. Below is a short overview of five common legal concentrations available to law students.
Business Law
This expansive area examines multiple facets of today’s modern economy. Students in business law concentrations explore the varied and sophisticated transactions and components of business, such as federal income taxation, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, financial accounting, capital markets, and corporate finance.
Intellectual Property Law
One of the most rapidly growing specialties in law, intellectual property is concerned with trademarks, patents, and copyrights. Curriculum may include the study of cyberlaw, intellectual asset management, antitrust, Internet law, and patent strategies.
Criminal Law
In the courtroom, criminal defense lawyers are tasked with representing clients accused of committing crimes. In addition to studying the theory of criminal law, the curriculum also introduces students to criminal procedures, evidence, national security law, white-collar crime, and trial practice.
Environmental Law
When compared to other areas of legal practice, environmental law can be considered a relatively new specialty area. It deals with numerous statutes, from the Clean Water Act to the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act. The curriculum may cover topics such as land use controls, agricultural law, international environmental law, mediation, and water rights law.
Entertainment and Media Law
In this specialization, students prepare to practice law in music, television, film, and other creative industries. The curriculum intersects with intellectual property law, exploring topics such as copyright law, motion picture distribution, digital media, television law, and trademark law.
Doctorate Degrees
Doctorate degrees are designed for legal professionals seeking career opportunities in scholarly research. At this level, admission is extremely competitive. It is not unusual for a law school to only accept one or two doctoral students each year and to only consider students that graduated from the same institution. Although these degrees are the highest academic programs available in law, each has its own structure and purpose. The four options include:
Doctor of Philosophy in Law
The PhD in Law is ideal for JD graduates who wish to pursue academic research, scholarship, and teaching at the postsecondary level.
Doctor of Jurisprudence
The DSJ degree is designed for law graduates who hold an LLM and desire to pursue individual legal research and writing. The program culminates in a dissertation that should advance and make a significant contribution to legal scholarship.
Doctor of Juridical Science
The SJD degree is a research-focused program designed for students interested in performing legal research and writing in preparation for leadership roles in public positions or legal scholarship. Students must hold both a JD and an LLM from ABA-accredited institutions.
Doctor of Comparative Law
The D.Comp.L program is closely aligned to the DSJ degree, but concentrates on the comparative aspects of law, particularly international law, highlighting the differences among legal systems throughout the world.
PhD Skills Toolbox
Doctoral students build progressive, elevated skills in a range of areas. Some of these include:
