Attorneys are individuals who practice law and serve their clients throughout various legal situations. If you need to work with an attorney or you are considering this as a career option, you might be wondering what an attorney’s degree requires. Our guide helps you understand more about attorney degrees and the legal education needed to become an attorney.
Is There a Difference Between Lawyers and Attorneys?
While these two terms are often used interchangeably, lawyers and attorneys are actually different. Lawyers are individuals who have graduated law school and hold a valid Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, while attorneys are individuals who have passed the bar exam and completed all of the steps that they need to in order to become a legal practicing individual.
Lawyers may provide legal advice to others, but they are not permitted to take on clients and work as an attorney on legal cases without passing the bar exam and obtaining all required certifications and licensing in their chosen state of practice.
In many cases, individuals may choose to attend law school and use their legal degree to help them in a related field, such as business or finances. This means that they will not have to take the bar exam or become a registered attorney in their state – they can provide legal advice and use their legal knowledge to guide them in their career instead.
Do All Attorneys Need Degrees?
All individuals who wish to be attorneys will need a law degree, also known as the Juris Doctor degree. The J.D. is a three-year professional degree that is often considered quite challenging to achieve. Law school tends to be competitive and hard work, and many individuals spend several months to half a year on the application process for their chosen law school.
Every attorney must have a legal degree from an accredited law school to be eligible for the bar exam, an essential step in legally practicing as an attorney in their chosen state.
How Do I Get Into Law School?
Attending law school is one of the most important first steps in becoming an attorney. You must have a law degree before you are able to take the bar exam, and you must pass the bar exam in your chosen jurisdiction in order to become a legally practicing attorney.
The process for applying to law school is often quite lengthy, and many individuals find that they may need to set aside a few months to complete all of the steps involved. We give you a brief overview of the steps you will likely need to complete to be admitted into law school below:
- Complete your undergraduate degree – one of these is typically required before you are eligible to be admitted to law school.
- Select the law schools you wish to apply for and carefully review all of the details of admissions, such as application deadlines, personal essays, and target GPA or test scores.
- Register for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and prepare to take this exam.
- Submit your LSAT scores to your chosen law schools and wait for results.
- Select a law school to attend based on your acceptance and submit your intention to join their incoming class.
Keep in mind that all law schools vary, and the admissions process might be slightly different depending on the school you are applying to. Always check directly with your chosen law schools regarding the details of test scores, application submission deadlines, and other important questions.
Can I Get Help With the LSAT?
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is considered one of the most difficult exams to tackle due to the unique way the exam asks students questions and the logic required to complete the exam. Many individuals find that they need between one and three months on average to properly study for this exam and give themselves the best chance of scoring as high as possible.
If you are finding it difficult to prepare for the LSAT, you need help identifying your strengths and weaknesses, or you are aiming to raise your score a significant amount, you can find help with an LSAT tutor. An LSAT tutor offers personalized assistance for your studying needs, allowing you to achieve the highest LSAT score possible and make your law school applications more competitive.
What Other Requirements Must Attorneys Complete?
In addition to obtaining a law degree, attorneys must complete the bar exam and become registered with the bar association in the state that they wish to work in. There may be additional requirements for licensing and certification, in addition to required continuing education and bar exam renewals depending on state laws and the type of law that the attorney practices. Additional research into state attorney rules and specific legal fields can give you more insight into these requirements.
Becoming an Attorney
Becoming an attorney requires several steps, many of which are challenging and time-intensive. The most important part of this journey is obtaining an attorney’s degree, which is a three-year degree from an accredited law school. Once this is done, you can take the bar exam and become licensed in your jurisdiction, allowing you to work in the legal field of your dreams.