There are many different uses for a law degree. You can work in corporations scrutinizing mergers and acquisitions, give passionate speeches in defense of a client in court, or file paperwork protecting patents and inventions, for example. How ever you plan to practice, this page will guide you through the process of how to become a lawyer.

• Lawyers help to prevent and solve legal problems for their clients.The State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer In order to do this, they need extensive training. The usual path to a law degree entails four years of college, followed by three years of law school, and an application for admission to the state bar. The type of undergraduate preparation you'll need will depend on what type of law you plan on practicing after you pass the bar exam.

(Creative Commons photo by umjanedoan)

• While law schools do not review your high school transcript you can use this time to begin to prepare yourself to become a lawyer.

1. Develop skills that will serve you well in a law school and your legal career, such as the ability to:
   1. Write logically, clearly and conciselyThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
   2. Critically analyze problems The State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
   3. Clearly articulate a position on an issueThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
   4. Work well with a variety of peopleThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
2. Take advanced placement or honors level courses in the humanities.Law for Kids: What High School Classes Should You Take to Become a Lawyer?
3. Latin and philosophy classes will be useful.Law for Kids: What High School Classes Should You Take to Become a Lawyer?
4. Participate in extracurricular activities such as:
   1. A debate teamThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
   2. Student governmentThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
   3. School newspaperThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
   4. Mock trial teamLaw for Kids: What High School Classes Should You Take to Become a Lawyer?
5. Seek out an internship or part-time job in a law office.The State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer

• Admission to law school can be highly competitive, so its important to work hard and get excellent grades in college.The State Bar of California: [http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10581&id=24442#lawer1 How Do I Become a Lawyer?

1. There is no required pre-law course of study; take courses that interest you and do well in them.The State Bar of California: [http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10581&id=24442#lawer1 How Do I Become a Lawyer?
2. Consider attending a law school summer enrichment program to learn more about the law school experience.William Mitchell College of Law: pre-Law/Law School Prep Program
3. You should take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) in your junior year.The State Bar of California: [http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10581&id=24442#lawer1 How Do I Become a Lawyer?
4. During college, you'll complete your applications to law school.
   1. According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), most applicants apply to at least four law schools.The State Bar of California: [http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10581&id=24442#lawer1 How Do I Become a Lawyer?
   2. The applications will vary by school, but most require a school specific application, a personal essay, and several letters of recommendation.The State Bar of California: [http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10581&id=24442#lawer1 How Do I Become a Lawyer?

Yale University Law School (Creative Commons photo by thewastedsmile)

• The legal field has become more competitive, with more graduates having difficulty finding work. There are some strategies you can use, however, to increase the probability that you will be among the employed upon the conclusion of your education:

1. Attend a top law school.Wall Street Journal: Best Defense? Seeking a Haven in Law School (March 19, 2009)U.S. News and World Report ranked the following as the top schools in the country in 2008:U.S. News and World Report: Best Law Schools (Ranked in 2008)
   1. Yale University
   2. Harvard University
   3. Stanford University
   4. Columbia University
   5. New York University
   6. University of California at Berkeley
   7. University of Chicago
   8. University of Pennsylvania
   9. Northwestern University
   10. University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
   11. University of Virginia
   12. Cornell University
2. Qualify for law review.Wall Street Journal: Best Defense? Seeking a Haven in Law School - WSJ.com (March 19, 2009)
3. Select classes in marketable fields, such as intellectual-property law and international arbitration.Wall Street Journal: Best Defense? Seeking a Haven in Law School - WSJ.com (March 19, 2009)
4. Make professional contacts while in law school, reaching out to alumni for internships.Wall Street Journal: Best Defense? Seeking a Haven in Law School - WSJ.com (March 19, 2009)
5. Attend a law school in the region that you'd like to practice after you graduate.Wall Street Journal: Best Defense? Seeking a Haven in Law School - WSJ.com (March 19, 2009)

• Some states allow individuals to apply for admission to the bar without a law degree. For example, in California you can substitute any of the following for a law degree:

1. Four years of study at an unaccredited or correspondence law schoolThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
2. Four years studying law in a law office/judge's chambers programThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer
3. A combination of the two previous methodsThe State Bar of California: How Do I Become a Lawyer

• If you are interested in practicing, but do not have a law degree, check with your state for its specific requirements.

Taking the Bar Exam (Creative Commons photo by Philip Larson)

• Each state bar sets its own requirements for admission to practice, but most require that you have passed the bar exam in that state and undergo a character and fitness review. Nationally, about two-thirds of test takers pass the bar exam annually, although individual state pass rates range from a low of 35 to a high of 95%. The exam is a state-specific exam and requires additional test preparation beyond what was taught in law school.American Bar Association: Brace Yourself for the Bar Exam (February 2003)

• After beginning your preparation to be a lawyer in high school, working hard in college, graduating from law school, and passing the bar exam, you're ready to begin your career of wrestling with tough problems, and achieving good outcomes for clients.