what do i major in to become a litigation lawyer

by Mary Hane 9 min read

Litigation attorneys start their educations earning a bachelor’s degree, often declaring that they are pre-law students. Bachelor’s degree in English, history, political science and business can help you learn skills you will use on a regular basis as a lawyer.

Litigation attorneys start their educations earning a bachelor's degree, often declaring that they are pre-law students. Bachelor's degree in English, history, political science and business can help you learn skills you will use on a regular basis as a lawyer.

Full Answer

What should I major in to become a lawyer?

Sep 09, 2020 · Candidate must have qualified integrated LLB (5 years) or LLB (3 years) Aspirants who have completed LLM are also eligible. Individuals cannot be a Litigation Lawyer after a diploma or certificate course. Bachelor’s or Master’s is necessary. Skill Set. Good Communication Skills. Critical Thinking. Keen Eye to Details. Patience.

Can I become a lawyer with a science degree?

A solid liberal arts background in English, history, government, math, science, and political science will help an attorney with their career. Step Two: Internships An aspiring civil litigation lawyer may find it helpful to intern at a law firm while they are in undergraduate school.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

Jul 09, 2021 · Litigation attorneys start their educations earning a bachelor’s degree, often declaring that they are pre-law students. Bachelor’s degree in English, history, political science and business can...

What kind of courses do you take in law school?

Apr 17, 2022 · The completion of a law degree and the completion of an appropriate ABA class are two of the five years needed for the profession – the third is a pupillage in chambers and the fourth is a Bar training program. you did not get a law degree, an extra year is also required. ... How Do I Become A Litigation Lawyer In Australia? Become an ...

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What major perks does a Litigation Lawyer enjoy?

The major perk of being a litigation lawyer is that with every win, the lawyer gets an immense level of satisfaction. Also, the job always keeps th...

What is the biggest challenge of being a Litigation Lawyer?

The biggest challenge of being a litigation lawyer is that the job takes up plenty of time of an individual. It has the tendency of hampering the p...

What is the average salary earned by a Litigation Lawyer?

The average salary earned by a litigation lawyer is ? 4,19,516.

How much money can I make in my initial days of being a Litigation Lawyer?

In the initial days, a litigation lawyer can make money ranging from ? 1,80,000 to ? 2,50,000.

Can I work independently as a Litigation Lawyer?

Yes, a litigation lawyer can practise independently.

Is it important to acquire a license of practice to be a Litigation Lawyer?

The License of practice is crucial to be a Litigation Lawyer if you want to join a government firm or organisation. Some private law firms offer th...

I have completed 3 years of LLB. Am I eligible to be a Litigation Lawyer?

Anyone who has completed either an LLB or an LLB is eligible to be a litigation lawyer.

Which colleges can an aspirant consider to be a Litigation Lawyer?

The best colleges that offer quality legal education for litigation lawyers are Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, The ICFAI University (...

Are Litigation Lawyers and Litigation Attorney the same?

Yes, Litigation Lawyer and Litigation Attorney are the same job profiles.

What duties does a Litigation Lawyer have?

The main duty of a litigation lawyer is to represent a client who is facing legal issues. The lawyer drafts legal documents and researches legal is...

What is civil litigation?

A civil litigation lawyer is a highly specialized professional who has undergone years of training to help clients with their cases. An attorney must receive undergraduate and graduate education and pass certification in order to become an attorney.

Can an attorney work for another law firm?

When an attorney is just starting in the field, they often work for another law firm. As they become more experienced, an attorney may open their own law firm. A civil litigation lawyer often works in their own office. In their office they may meet with clients or spend time researching cases that they currently have.

What Is Litigation?

Some attorneys spend their days reviewing contracts. Others conduct research to help lawyers getting ready for trial. Attorneys who conduct their practices in a courtroom practice as litigators.

What Are Litigation Attorneys?

Attorneys who try cases are litigators. You might hear them referred to as “trial lawyers,” but this term is often used to refer to attorneys who bring lawsuits. Trial lawyers differ from defense attorneys who defend people or entities who are being sued or prosecuted. Many litigators specialize in one area or the other.

What Do They Do?

Litigators can only try cases by performing considerable research for each trial. In addition to knowing the details of the case, litigators must know which laws apply to the lawsuit so that they can argue that their side is the legally correct argument (based on existing law).

How to Become a Litigator

Litigation attorneys start their educations earning a bachelor’s degree, often declaring that they are pre-law students. Bachelor’s degree in English, history, political science and business can help you learn skills you will use on a regular basis as a lawyer.

Compensation for Litigation Attorneys

The salaries, benefits and bonuses of litigation attorneys vary wildly based on many things. These can include where you went to law school, your class rank, the law firm you work for, your specialty area, your typical clients and your geographic location.

What is the closest thing to law school?

Political Science. Of all majors, this may be the closest to a "law school" curriculum as you can get. In this major, you'll study political systems, public policy, international relations and the relationship between government, the law, and individual rights, among other things.

What do philosophy majors study?

Philosophy majors delve deep into the study of logic, ethics, and morality —areas of thought that also happen to be the cornerstones of law. You'll debate with classmates, present arguments and do a lot of research to support your case, which is not all that different from what lawyers do to prepare for court.

What is an economics major?

Not only are economics majors trained to think logically and analytically, but economic policies and procedures, as well as how resources are distributed and managed, are topics closely connected to the legal issues you'll encounter as a lawyer.

What do history majors learn?

From a practical standpoint, history majors are also tasked with lots of research and writing and must learn to draw conclusions based on historical documents, a great precursor to the work you'll do in law school.

Does it matter what you study as an undergraduate?

If you have your heart set on landing a legal gig, it's important to know that it doesn't necessarily matter what you study as an undergraduate. This is truly a profession suited to those coming from vast educational backgrounds.

Is business a good major?

A business major is a good option for those who plan to go into corporate law. That said, be sure to supplement business fundamentals with humanities and liberal arts electives so you can train your analytical and critical thinking muscles, as well as practice research and writing, too.

Why do lawyers need an English major?

The English major is a very popular major for law school because of its immediately obvious benefits: advanced reading comprehension and persuasive writing skills. Students of the English major study dense and complex literature and are then required to process the information, make connections and create organized analytical arguments and defend positions. In this light, the critical thinking skills required of English majors mirror the skills required by law students. Strong reading and writing skills are required by all lawyers, so the English major is a no-brainer when it comes to selecting a major for law school.

What are the skills required for an English major?

In this light, the critical thinking skills required of English majors mirror the skills required by law students.

What is psychology major?

Through the psychology major’s coursework, students develop a solid understanding of how people can make correct or incorrect judgments that can lead to things like stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination. Psychology courses also teach students how to network and prepare for negotiations.

Why is sociology a good major?

Sociology is a great major for potential law students because it studies the big picture of society. It looks at the social issues we face in our society like poverty, economic justice, racial discrimination, and LGBT rights. Sociology looks at the way the law can help, and how to develop solutions to fight inequality. In this light, sociology is a great area of focus for students that hope to one day end up using the law to affect public policy.

Is philosophy a difficult major?

Philosophy is a difficult major.

Does the law school test for legal understanding?

Since the test doesn’t actually test for legal understanding, but rather reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, then your choice of an undergraduate degree is up to you to decide. That said, law schools tend to prefer students that have a wide range of course work.

Is criminal justice a good fit for law school?

Criminal justice is a natural fit for law school since coursework focuses on criminal justice topics. These programs often include courses on court proceedings, the correction systems, and many other aspects of the legal system. Criminal justice degrees emphasize strong research, analysis, and writing skills which are a necessity in law school. Yet despite this being a natural fit for law, many law schools prefer specializations in other areas of study. In fact, some schools scrutinize academic records far harder in the criminal justice major than any other major.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

According to the BLS, individuals must earn bachelor's degrees prior to enrolling in law school. Undergraduate students have the freedom to major in almost any field, although the BLS recommends interested students take several courses in government, mathematics, English, history, communications, and economics.

Step 2: Pass the LSAT

Acceptance into law school is often contingent upon how well students score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), a national exam administered by the Law School Admission Council, Inc. There are five sections to each exam, each of which includes multiple-choice questions.

Step 3: Complete Law School

In most cases, earning a Juris Doctor degree from law school takes three years to complete after the bachelor's degree program. The first year is filled with structured course requirements and may include classes that cover torts, constitutional laws, contracts, property law, civil procedure, and criminal law.

Step 4: Get Additional Specialty Training

Legal consultants often choose their field of specialty while still in law school, and many individuals learn about the laws associated with that specialty during their elective studies. However, some specialties may require additional training outside of law school.

Step 5: Pass the State Bar

Legal consultants are not necessarily required to pass state bar exams. However, employers do prefer applicants who have courtroom experience, and individuals interested in working for these types of employers would have to pass the necessary state bar exams.

Step 6: Build Experience

Most employers prefer candidates who have at least three years of general legal experience. Many of these same employers want applicants who have multiple years of additional experience in specific fields, such as real estate law, health care, or foreign business affairs.

What does it mean to be a lawyer?

As a lawyer, you may represent clients in court, or you may offer legal advice regarding personal and business affairs. Either way, your job involves researching laws and judicial decisions that you can apply to a client's particular situation. You may choose to specialize in a particular type of law, such as environmental, intellectual property, ...

What degree do paralegals need?

Paralegals and legal assistants need an associate's degree, and typically work in law offices. They assist lawyers by preparing documents and information related to the cases they're working on. Judges and hearing officers are responsible or hearing the arguments of both sides in a case or dispute.

What do lawyers do?

Lawyers will consult with clients and provide legal advice on how to address their issues. They may prepare filings for court, represent their client in a mediation or court proceeding, or other negotiations.

Do you need a bachelors degree to become an arbitrator?

Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators are only required to have a bachelor's degree and they do not take sides, but attempt to work with opposing sides in a dispute to reach an agreement about how to resolve the dispute.

Business

A business major is a great option for those who are entrepreneurial-minded. Students interested in corporate law might find that classes in management and economics are well-suited to their postgraduation career needs. Word of warning, business majors should be careful not to focus solely on the fundamentals.

Economics

An economics major spends a lot of time summarizing large amounts of quantitative data. This is great training for law school as an econ major will be well-prepared to sort information and evidence in order to build a case backed by evidence.

English

Lawyers must be well-versed with the English language as they spend a lot of their time researching, writing, and speaking in court. English majors will learn how to analyze and synthesize large bodies of text, developing a command of written and verbal language (sometimes more than one).

Philosophy

Is there a more “prelaw school” major than philosophy? It’s no surprise that students majoring in philosophy dive deep into logic, ethics, and morality, which are all big, existential questions relevant to the study and practice of law.

Political Science

Political science majors should be prepared to study political systems, public policy, and the relationship between types of government and the law. This major is probably the closest to a law school curriculum in undergrad that a student will find.

Psychology

Psychology is the study of human behaviors and this major gives students insight into the human psyche. For instance, students might apply their psych studies to criminal cases, questioning how human error could possibly lead to wrongful convictions or how innocent people sometimes make incorrect judgments.

Bottom Line

For students considering a career in law, some majors are a reliable source of the skills and knowledge central to the profession. However, no major will guarantee a law school acceptance letter — and no major will disqualify a student, either.

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History

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Examining how the past has helped to shape and define our present—here in the United States and around the world—will help you put into context our current justice system and laws. From a practical standpoint, history majors are also tasked with lots of research and writing and must learn to draw conclusions base…
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English

  • Having a strong command of written and verbal skills will take you far as an attorney whether you're writing, researching or speaking in court. Analyzing great works of literature and historical texts from various cultures and time periods is great practice for the hours you'll spend in the law library.
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Philosophy

  • Philosophy majors delve deep into the study of logic, ethics, and morality—areas of thought that also happen to be the cornerstones of law. You'll debate with classmates, present arguments and do a lot of research to support your case, which is not all that different from what lawyers do to prepare for court.
See more on discover.com

Political Science

  • Of all majors, this may be the closest to a "law school" curriculum as you can get. In this major, you'll study political systems, public policy, international relations and the relationship between government, the law, and individual rights, among other things. You're required to analyze various written documents and data sets (think ancient texts to social media posts) and will learn to thin…
See more on discover.com

Economics

  • Not only are economics majors trained to think logically and analytically, but economic policies and procedures, as well as how resources are distributed and managed, are topics closely connected to the legal issues you'll encounter as a lawyer. Any major that has you summarizing qualitative and quantitative data to solve problems is good training for your brain to seek out evi…
See more on discover.com

Business

  • General business knowledge can be applied in almost any industry, and that holds true for aspiring attorneys as well. A business major is a good option for those who plan to go into corporate law. That said, be sure to supplement business fundamentals with humanities and liberal arts electives so you can train your analytical and critical thinking muscles, as well as pra…
See more on discover.com

General Tips

  1. Consider majoring in a discipline that is related to the type of law you want to practice. Since you don't have to declare a specialty during law school, building a background as an undergraduate i...
  2. Choose a major or take electives that are heavy on research and writing. As mentioned earlier, those are the critical skills that will help you most in law school.
  1. Consider majoring in a discipline that is related to the type of law you want to practice. Since you don't have to declare a specialty during law school, building a background as an undergraduate i...
  2. Choose a major or take electives that are heavy on research and writing. As mentioned earlier, those are the critical skills that will help you most in law school.
  3. Whichever academic route you take, maintaining a strong GPA is essential if you aim to attend a selective law school program.

Political Science

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Average LSAT Score: 153.8 Average GPA: 3.39 The most popular major of law school candidates is political science. There’s a reason why many successful politicians are lawyers—the link between law and political theory is very strong. Political science is the study of government systems, political behavior, and how …
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Psychology

  • Average LSAT Score: 152.59 Average GPA: 3.35 Want to understand why people think, believe, and act the way they do? Psychology is the study of human behavior and the mental processes that fuel how people interact with each other and the world around them. Since the law is a system designed to govern human behavior, psychology can help lawmakers understand what ki…
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Criminal Justice

  • Average LSAT Score: 145.90 Average GPA: 3.22 Criminal justice is a natural fit for law school since coursework focuses on criminal justice topics. These programs often include courses on court proceedings, the correction systems, and many other aspects of the legal system. Criminal justice degrees emphasize strong research, analysis, and writing skills which are a necessity in l…
See more on edsmart.org

English

  • Average LSAT Score: 155.25 Average GPA: 3.42 The English major is a very popular major for law school because of its immediately obvious benefits: advanced reading comprehension and persuasive writing skills. Students of the English major study dense and complex literature and are then required to process the information, make connections and create organized analytical …
See more on edsmart.org

History

  • Average LSAT Score: 156.22 Average GPA: 3.45 A significant part of being a lawyer is understanding past precedent on different legal cases in the past. Is it any surprise then that history is a great major for law students? History studentsnot only study the events of the past, but also study the way different legal systems have evolved, court rulings, treaties, and other leg…
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Economics

  • Average LSAT Score: 158.93 Average GPA: 3.47 Economics is a topic that has drastically altered the shape of the law. This is because many laws are enacted to adjust and correct economic behavior by businesses and individuals in the marketplace. Legal studies focus on topics that are rooted in economic analysis—torts, contracts, property rights, antitrust, business organizations, …
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Philosophy

  • Average LSAT Score: 157.53 Average GPA: 3.43 The granddaddy of all mind-stretching mental exercises, philosophy is a fantastic major that builds a student’s ability to think critically and argue. Law is heavily based on philosophical elements like ethics, and human nature—subjects that are commonly taught in a philosophy major. Philosophy is a difficult major. It requires stude…
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Sociology

  • Average LSAT Score: 150.71 Average GPA: 3.29 Sociology is a great major for potential law students because it studies the big picture of society. It looks at the social issues we face in our society like poverty, economic justice, racial discrimination, and LGBT rights. Sociology looks at the way the law can help, and how to develop solutions to fight inequality. In this light, sociology …
See more on edsmart.org

Communications

  • Average LSAT Score: 151.2 Average GPA: 3.32 Students with a passion for writing, public speaking, or negotiation often gravitate to the communications major. This major focuses on team building, organizational communication, and conflict management as well as developing critical thinking skills. These are all transferable skills when it comes to transitioning into law stu…
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Science

  • Average LSAT Score: 148.4 Average GPA: 3.21 When it comes to college admissions, the name of the game is usually to stand out from among your peers. There is no better way to stand out from the pack of law school applicants than with a science degree. While the degree may seem completely irrelevant to law, different areas of scientific study lend themselves well to specialize…
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