Do you want to negotiating and deciphering complicated documents? If so, you may have the makings of a business lawyer.

The legal profession is filled with attorneys who specialized in many areas such as tax law, legal defense and even patent law. Business lawyers concentration on assisting small, medium and large businesses with contracts, legal entity status, business lawsuits and any business specific legal needs.

Business Lawyers may work as an employee of a business, work in private practice or work with a law firm. Some business lawyers are in the academic arena and teach business and law students. Due to the complexity of business in an increasingly global marketplace, the demand for business lawyers is expected to remain consistent, but may be hurt by a shift of some work away from law firms to accounting firms according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/oco/Ocos053.htm The average lawyer earned over $100,000 and starting salaries are one of the highest of any occupation. http://www.bls.gov/oco/Ocos053.htm

Becoming a business lawyer is not an easy process since it is a highly competitive field both for obtaining educational requirements, but also for obtaining jobs. To become a lawyer you must complete advanced educational requirements and pass the bar exam in each state where you want to practice.

No matter what legal path you want to take, you must obtain an undergraduate degree from a college or university. If your end goal is to become a business lawyer, an undergraduate degree in a business related field is advisable. Consider a degree in finance, accounting or general business. A solid foundation in business principles such as accounting methodology, human resources basics and international business can help to prepare you for a concentration in business law.

Once you have completed your junior year in college, you will need to take the LSAT examination. This exam is required by all potential legal students applying to law schools in the United States. A high score on the LSAT and strong grades in your undergraduate curriculum can help you pass through the highly competitive entry requirements and become a law student once you have completed your undergraduate degree. Try to attend a law school that offers a concentration or specialty in business law to help you obtain the specific skills and knowledge you will need to be a successful business lawyer. After about three years of law school, you will graduate with a Juris Doctorate in law. While your formal education may end, you will need to maintain a course of unofficial learning to stay competitive. Subscribe to business law journals and business publications to keep up with the latest developments in business law, the business environment and changes to laws that can impact your clients.

Passing the bar exam is a rite of passage for all lawyers, regardless of the field they want to enter. The bar exam is a grueling exam that requires preparation and dedication to pass.

You can choose to study for the bar exam by one of the following methods:

1. An official review course such as BarBri Bar or Kaplan courses
2. By using study guides
3. By using media based study guides such as the PMBR CD course
4. Self-paced study or study group http://www.kaptest.com/Bar-Exam/Home/index.html

Depending on the state you where you want to practice, you may be able to take the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), or you may need to take a state specific bar exam.http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mbe/ Check on your state’s requirements to make sure you study time is geared towards the correct examination. The general bar exam is a six-hour examination that covers multiple areas including real property, constitutional law, criminal law, contracts, evidence and torts.http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mbe/

In some states, you may also be required to pass an ethics evaluation before you are admitted to the bar and licensed to practice law in the state. If you want to practice in multiple states, you must pass the requirements for each state.

Experience is the master in Business Law. No amount of formal or informal education can prepare you for all the scenarios you may face in your career as a business lawyer. One of the most effective ways of obtaining a wide range of experiences is to join a medium to large sized law firm after you pass the bar exam. These firms will have access to interesting legal cases covering different subject areas and will have seasoned business lawyers that can help you learn the day-to-day practical skills you need to be a successful business lawyer.

After working for a firm for several years, you should decide what career path is best suited to your working style and interest area. You can decide to focus on becoming a partner in a law firm, working directly for a business or establish your own law practice. Establishing your own firm gives you more flexibility on earnings and jobs, but you must seek out your own clients while working for a firm can allow you to focus on case work rather than on seeking out new clients. If you still feel the draw of business school, you may consider re-entering the academic environment as a Business Law professor.