So, you've decided you want to become a lawyer? Congratulations! Lawyers tend to be some of society's most prestigious and well-paid professionals. But we'll be frank: you've got a long road ahead of you that will require dedication, hard work, and (likely) a lot of coffee.
Fortunately, you're about to read this guide, which lays out everything you need to know about how to become a lawyer, from what to possibly major in during your undergraduate studies, and when you should take the LSAT, to how to prepare for the law school admissions requirements, and what to do after you pass the bar exam … and everything else in between.
By the time you finish reading, you'll understand exactly what you need to do to turn your dream of becoming a lawyer into reality. Let's begin!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(click to skip ahead)- How to become a lawyer
- Step One: Earn a bachelor's degree
- Step Two: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Step Three: Apply to and complete law school
- Step Four: Pass the Bar Examination
- Step Five: Obtain Your License
- How long does it take to become a lawyer?
- Important skills for lawyers
- Types of lawyers
- How much does a lawyer earn?
- Can you be a lawyer without going to law school?
- Final thoughts
How to become a lawyer
Earn a bachelor’s degree
Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Apply to and complete law school
Pass the Bar Examination
Obtain Your License
And here’s detail on how to complete each of those steps:
Step One: Earn a bachelor's degree
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university to meet the application requirements at most law schools. Why did we say “most law schools” instead of “all”? Well, there are some law schools that accept students without a bachelor’s degree.
For example, the Glendale University of College of Law accepts students with “an AA or AS degree, or a minimum of 60 bachelor degree-applicable units from a regionally accredited college.”
Still, without a bachelor’s degree, your options for law school would be limited, and you may miss the chance to develop some essential skills.
What degree do you need to be a lawyer?
You may think you need to major in politics, history, economics, or some other field related to the legal profession during your undergraduate studies. But here’s the truth: law schools don’t care what you major in. What they do care about is your GPA and LSAT score.
So, pick an undergraduate major that interests you and that allows you to develop skills like critical thinking and logical argumentation—those will be important for both the LSAT and law school itself. That way, you can focus on learning and getting the best grades possible instead of trying to predict what might look good on your law school applications.
Step Two: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The next step in the process is to take either the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Depending on the law school you're applying to, some may require the LSAT as the only admission test, while others may accept the LSAT or GRE.
For example, Harvard Law School accepts applicants with LSAT or GRE scores. Their admissions website also states that they do not have a preference for either exam. On the other hand, Emory University School of Law requires applicants to submit LSAT scores.
When can you take the LSAT?
Here are the official LSAT test dates and registration deadlines for 2023 and 2024.
2023 LSAT Test Dates
| Dates | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|
| January 13-14 | December 1, 2022 |
| February 10-11 | December 27, 2022 |
| April 14-15 | Mar 2, 2023 |
| June 9-10 | April 25, 2023 |
| August 11-12 | June 29, 2023 |
| September 8-9 | July 25, 2023 |
| October 13-14 | August 31, 2023 |
| November 10-11 | September 28, 2023 |
2024 LSAT Test Dates*
| Dates | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|
| January 12-13 | November 30, 2023 |
| February 9 | December 26, 2023 |
| April 12 | February 29, 2024 |
| June 7-8 | April 23, 2024 |
*There will likely be more test dates for 2024. However, as of the publishing date of this article, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website only shows official LSAT dates up to June 2024.
When can you take the GRE?
You can schedule to take the GRE in person at various times throughout the year, depending on the dates offered at your local test center. You also have the option to take the GRE at home, whenever is convenient, seven days a week.
How many times can you take the LSAT or GRE?
You can take the LSAT up to seven times over your lifetime—up to three times in a single testing year and five times during a five-year period.
You can take the GRE once every 21 days—up to five times within any one-year period.
When should you take the LSAT or GRE for law school applications?
You should take either the LSAT or GRE at least six months before your law school application deadlines. That way, you have plenty of time to prepare and ensure you’re happy with your score before submitting your applications.
If you’re a college student hoping to go to law school immediately after graduating, you’ll generally want to take either of these exams during the spring of your junior year, the summer after your junior year, or the fall of your senior year.
Step Three: Apply to and complete law school
The next step is applying to, gaining admission, and completing law school. Law schools typically require applicants to submit the following application materials:
Transcripts from all post-secondary education
LSAT (or sometimes GRE) scores
2 letters of recommendation
A law school personal statement
Complete application
For an in-depth guide to the law school application requirements, check out this article.
When are law school applications due?
Law school application deadlines vary depending on the specific law schools and the admissions cycle you are applying for.
Many law schools in the United States have rolling admissions, meaning they review applications as they are received and may have multiple deadlines throughout the year. In rolling admissions, applying as early as possible is generally advantageous, as seats and scholarship funds may become limited as the cycle progresses.
However, there are two other common application cycles and deadlines you should be aware of:
Early Decision/Early Action: Some law schools offer an early decision or early action option, with deadlines usually falling between September and November. Early deadlines may offer advantages such as priority consideration or expedited decision timelines, but early decision applications are binding commitments.
Regular Decision: The regular decision deadline for many law schools is usually between December and February. This is the main application deadline for most law school applicants. Unlike early decision applications, you can apply regular decision to multiple law schools.
How long does it take to complete law school?
Most full-time law school students earn the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in three years. Part-time students may take up to five years to complete law school.
What do you learn in law school?
Law school education provides students with a comprehensive understanding of legal principles, analytical skills, and the ability to think critically. The curriculum typically covers a broad range of subjects related to law and legal practice.
Here are some of the key areas of study in law school:
Legal foundations: Law students start by learning the fundamentals of legal systems, including constitutional law, contracts, property law, civil procedure, and criminal law.
Legal research and writing: Students learn to research legal sources, such as statutes and case law, and develop strong writing skills to draft legal documents, memos, and briefs.
Legal analysis and reasoning: Law school teaches students to analyze complex legal issues, identify relevant legal principles, and apply them to specific factual scenarios.
Specialized legal areas: Students have the opportunity to explore various specialized areas, such as corporate law, criminal law, family law, environmental law, intellectual property law, international law, and more.
Professional skills: Law schools often offer courses and programs to develop practical skills necessary for legal practice, such as negotiation, trial advocacy, legal clinics, and legal ethics.
Electives: Law school elective courses cover various legal topics and can be taken in areas such as health law, human rights, entertainment law, tax law, or any other specialized area.
Examples of official law school curriculums
If you’d like to see greater detail, check out the curricula below from some highly respected law schools:
Step Four: Pass the Bar Examination
Once you've graduated from law school, the next step is to pass the bar exam.
What is the bar exam?
The bar exam is a multi-day test determining eligibility to practice law in a particular state. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions, essays, and performance tests that measure your knowledge and understanding of the law.
You can choose to take the bar exam for the particular state where you plan to practice law. However, many jurisdictions also allow you to take the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), designed to assess the same level of competence regardless of which state you're taking it in.
How to study for the bar exam
Studying for the bar exam can be an intensive process, so it's essential to create a plan and stick to it. You should start studying at least six months before the test date. During this time, you'll want to review course material from law school, familiarize yourself with recent updates in state and federal laws, and practice taking bar exam questions.
You may also want to consider taking a prep course or joining a study group with other people taking the bar exam. Additionally, you may want to use study aids such as flashcards, practice tests, and mock exams.
How many times can you take the bar exam?
Most states don’t have a limit on how many times you can take the bar exam. For the states that do set limits, the maximum number of times you can take the bar exam range from 2-6 times. You can check the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) website to determine the specific requirements and limits for re-taking the exam in your jurisdiction.
Step Five: Obtain Your License
Obtaining your law license is the final step in becoming a licensed attorney. While the specific process may vary from state to state, the general steps are as follows:
Research State Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the specific requirements set by the state's bar association. Understand the application process, fees, and required documentation.
Complete the Application: Fill out the application, providing personal information, educational background, and employment history.
Submit Required Documents: Include supporting documents such as law school transcripts, bar exam certification, and certificates of good standing from other jurisdictions.
Pay Application Fee: Most states require an application fee to cover administrative costs.
Background Check and Character Evaluation: Undergo a thorough review, including a character and fitness evaluation, which may include a criminal background check and assessment of moral character.
Swearing-In Ceremony: Upon approval, attend a formal swearing-in ceremony where you take an oath to uphold the law and fulfill your duties as an attorney.
Receive Your License: After completing all steps and meeting the requirements, you'll receive your law license. This grants you the authority to practice law in a particular jurisdiction. You’ll also need to keep your license up to date and fulfill any renewal or continuing education obligations.
How long does it take to become a lawyer?
The time it takes to become a lawyer can vary depending on your situation. Generally, it takes about seven to eight years from the time you begin college until you are licensed and admitted to practice law.
Important skills for lawyers
While law school will provide you with the technical knowledge and skills necessary to practice law, certain qualities or "soft skills" can make you a better lawyer. These “soft skills” are things you can begin developing and strengthening during your undergrad years.
Here are some crucial skills to cultivate as a lawyer:
Analytical and critical thinking: Lawyers must have strong analytical and critical thinking skills to dissect legal problems, identify relevant information, and arrive at logical conclusions.
Communication: Lawyers must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate their arguments clearly, negotiate, and interact with clients, colleagues, and judges.
Research skills: Lawyers must be able to conduct thorough legal research, navigate through statutes, regulations, and case law, and retrieve relevant information to support their arguments.
Problem-solving: Lawyers must be able to analyze situations, identify potential solutions, and devise strategies to achieve favorable outcomes for their clients.
Attention to detail: Lawyers must be attentive when reviewing contracts, agreements, and legal documents to ensure accuracy and identify potential pitfalls.
Time management and organization: Lawyers should have strong time management and organizational skills to stay on top of their workload and manage their caseload effectively.
Types of lawyers
Exploring different areas of law can help you find your niche and determine which path aligns with your interests and skills. Here are some of the most common types of lawyers:
Corporate Lawyers
Lawyers specializing in corporate law advise businesses and corporations on legal matters such as contracts, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, employment law, and compliance with regulations.
Criminal Defense Lawyer
A criminal defense lawyer represents individuals or organizations facing criminal charges. They advocate in court, build defense strategies, negotiate plea deals, and protect their clients' rights.
Family Lawyer
Family lawyers handle legal matters related to family and domestic relations, such as divorce, child custody, adoption, prenuptial agreements, and child support. They may also assist with matters like domestic violence, guardianship, and property division.
Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer represents individuals who have been injured by someone else's negligence or wrongdoing. In the event of an accident or injury, they assist their clients in seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Intellectual Property Lawyer
Intellectual property lawyers specialize in matters related to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. They help clients protect their intellectual property rights and assist with licensing agreements, infringement cases, and disputes.
Employment Lawyer
Employment lawyers represent both employees and employers in matters related to the workplace, such as employment contracts, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage disputes, and labor law.
Immigration Lawyer
Immigration lawyers help individuals and businesses navigate complex immigration laws and represent them before immigration authorities in matters related to visas, green cards, citizenship, deportation, and asylum.
Environmental Lawyer
An environmental lawyer represents individuals, organizations, or government agencies regarding environmental regulations, sustainability, land use, pollution, and natural resource protection.
Real Estate Lawyer
A real estate lawyer reviews contracts, conducts title searches, negotiates deals, and handles disputes relating to property transactions.
Civil Rights Lawyer
Civil rights lawyers advocate for those whose civil rights have been violated. They handle cases involving discrimination, constitutional rights, voting rights, and police misconduct.
These are just a few examples of the diverse areas of law practice. Many lawyers specialize further within these broad categories or work in unique practice areas.
How much does a lawyer earn?
Your earning potential as a lawyer depends on where you practice, your specialization, and experience level. According to Indeed, the average base salary for a lawyer in the United States is $97,115 per year. The annual salaries for lawyers reported in Indeed’s database range from $52,722 to $178,888 per year.
Can you be a lawyer without going to law school?
Yes, in some states, it is possible to become a lawyer without attending law school or receiving a law degree if you pass the bar exam and receive permission from the state’s Supreme Court. This route requires extensive study of the law and can be very difficult.
Where can you take the bar without going to law school?
The only states that allow non-graduates of law school to take the bar exam are California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. All other states require applicants to have completed their legal education before they can sit for the bar.
You can review the guidelines for taking the bar without going to law school in each of those states by clicking on the following links:
Final thoughts
Becoming a lawyer is not for the faint of heart. It requires a strong commitment to prepare for law school admissions, study diligently during law school, pass the bar exam, and then obtain a license to practice law. But if you are determined and passionate about pursuing a career in law, it can also be an enriching and fulfilling experience!
If you're looking for additional resources to help you learn how to become a lawyer, we recommend speaking with our graduate school admissions consultants. We can help you craft a strong personal statement and navigate the law school application process.
So, why wait? Schedule a consultation and begin taking the next step in your law school journey!
Special thanks to Ameer for writing this blog post.
Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
Top values: Growth / Diversity / Empathy
