what should you major in to become a corporate lawyer

How to be a corporate lawyer

1. Earn a bachelor's degree. One of the first steps to becoming a corporate attorney is to earn your bachelor's degree in a related discipline, which can include business, finance, ...
2. Complete an internship. Explore your internship opportunities at local law firms, government offices or legal clinics. ...
3. Apply for law school. ...
4. Earn your juris doctor degree. ...

More items...

Full Answer

What qualifications do you need to be a corporate lawyer?

The first step to becoming a corporate lawyer is passing your tenth and twelfth qualifications, known as 10+2. These secondary, intermediate and pre-university courses often focus on science, arts and commerce. Completing these levels of schooling is the minimum requirement for pursuing a career in law.

What should I major in to become a lawyer?

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. Consider majoring in a discipline that is related to the type of law you want to practice.

Is a business major a good option for a corporate lawyer?

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.

What is the career path of a corporate lawyer?

In western parts of the world, corporate law careers are generally known as corporate secretary or corporate lawyer; but a corporate lawyer does a lot more than just handle legal matters. To some extent yes, the corporate lawyer career path is to supervise the legal decisions pertaining to the management and business of any corporation.

What is the best major for corporate law?

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 ...

What majors do lawyers most?

political scienceThe 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 the judicial system works.

What experience do you need to be a corporate lawyer?

You must complete a three-year law school program and obtain a Juris Doctor, or J.D., degree before you can become a corporate lawyer. If you wish to specialize in corporate law, enroll in a school that offers a certificate or concentration program for that specialty within its general law degree curriculum.

What GPA do you need to get into law school?

However, among the highest-ranked law schools, the norm is to admit people with near-perfect college grades. All of the top-10 law schools had median GPAs of 3.7 or higher. Seven of these 10 schools had a median GPA that was at least a 3.8, and among those three had a median GPA that was a 3.9 or above.

What is a lawyer major called?

A Juris Doctor degree is the required legal degree for professionals who are pursuing a career as a practicing attorney.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaTax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.Immigration attorney: $84,000.Estate attorney: $83,000.Public Defender: $63,000.More items...•

Do corporate lawyers need math?

In general corporate law practice does not require higher math skills. However, good math skills are very helpful in any area of the law that deals with damages or financial transactions .

Is corporate law difficult?

You have to study for many years, so be prepared for hard work and sacrifice. You will need to get qualified, gain experience, and then continue your professional development and study for your specialism in corporate law. Corporate Law is a comparatively new field and the growth and career options are ample.

What does a corporate lawyer do?

A corporate attorney, or company lawyer, works on various legal issues related to corporate business practices. They often handle business, legal and financial functions for their client. For instance, a corporate lawyer might be in charge of corporate taxes or appraise and oversee mergers and acquisitions.

Corporate lawyer vs. commercial lawyer

While corporate lawyers and commercial lawyers handle cases related to business law, there is a difference in their areas of focus.

How to become a corporate lawyer

If you want to become a corporate lawyer, consider following these nine steps:

How long does it take to become a corporate lawyer?

It often takes several years and a lot of hard work to become a corporate lawyer. You can complete the five-year integrated B.A. LL.B or the three-year LL.B degree and then pass the bar exam to start practicing. As you gain work experience and insight in the legal field, you can study further for the one-year LL.M degree.

What qualifications do you need to become a corporate lawyer?

To become a corporate lawyer, you can pursue a five-year BA LL.B course after your 10+2. You can also gain a graduate degree in any discipline and then do an LL.B. degree. You can then specialise in corporate law or study further for a master's degree in corporate law.

Is corporate law a good career?

Corporate law is a good career as it offers many options in nearly every industry and a strong salary. As a corporate lawyer, you can work for the government or various business verticals, like retail, marketing, travel, hospitality, insurance, or technology industries.

Are corporate lawyers in demand?

The demand for corporate lawyers is rising, and it's likely to increase in the future as individuals, companies and governments seek expert legal advice and guidance on various elements of national and international business. With globalisation and an increase in outbound investments, international business transactions have gone up exponentially.

How many hours do corporate lawyers work?

Working as a corporate lawyer is usually stressful and highly demanding and it rarely sufficient to work for the regular working hours of about 40 hours per week. You will have many documents to review and check in order for a commercial transaction to legally take place. Accordingly, you will commonly need to work overtime every day as well as working on weekends especially if there were deadlines to meet. Corporate lawyers commonly have an actual working schedule that range between 60-70 hours which is quite demanding. This also depends on the size of the corporations, the annual billable hours requirement, work culture and the workload. Corporate lawyers may also need to travel to any location for some cases.

What is corporate law?

Corporate lawyers are sometimes called in-house counsel and are typically employed full-time by large corporations and private companies. That is why the largest employers of corporate lawyers are banks, insurance agencies as well as hospitals and biotechnology companies. Other employers include retail stores, manufacturing and large corporations like oil firms and other energy companies. The list of employers also includes modern communications and IT companies. The main objective of the corporate lawyer is to provide legal counsel and business advice to best benefit the corporation in the first place more than the owner himself. Therefore, a good corporate lawyer must have a decent background in related fields like Commercial law (international and national) as well as tax laws, trademarks and other related areas of the practice to distinguish himself and secure a prestigious position in any of these companies.

How much will the number of lawyers in the US increase in 2029?

According to the US bureau of labor statistics, the employment of lawyers including corporate lawyers is expected to increase by at least 4 % from 2019 to 2029 which is as fast as average expected growth for other jobs. Many corporations try to cut the costs of their legal work by employing in-house counsel or corporate lawyers to handle their work which may provide many work opportunities. However, each year many new lawyers graduate and the competition is increasing. Therefore, in order to secure the most prestigious position in any law firm, you are expected to put in more effort and gain whatever experience necessary to secure an advantage in the midst of this future competition.

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.

What is corporate lawyer?

In a career as a corporate lawyer, one is responsible to create a firm strategic planning refers to the process of designing the goals of an organization, and then enforcing that perspective through particular, clear objectives. corporate lawyers employed in the development of the strategy should achieve targets, evaluate what initiatives workers actually need to implement and motivate the company to accomplish that objective.

How many hours do corporate lawyers work?

But he or she needs to work more than fifteen hours a day in the financial year ending. Some projects need more concentration too, in those cases, he or she needs to extend their shift timing to complete it in time.

What is a civil litigation lawyer?

Civil Litigation Lawyer: A civil litigation lawyer is also known as litigators, or trial lawyers are responsible for representing plaintiffs and defendants in civil lawsuits. Civil litigation lawyers manage all phases of litigation from investigation, pleadings, and discovery through the pre-trial, trial, settlement, and appeal process.

What is a senior associate attorney?

A senior associate attorney is responsible for handling multiple legal matters simultaneously. He or she distributes assignments among associates and subordinates. A senior associate attorney also requires to involve in business development and marketing related activities He or she is responsible for representing clients independently in meetings, proceedings and negotiations.

How much does a junior associate make?

The size of the organisation and area where it is located affects the salary. On an average a junior associate earns Rs. 240,000 per annum.

Can a corporate lawyer work for a non profit?

There are numerous corporate lawyers who work for government agencies. Many corporate lawyers work for non profit organizations . All of these fields offer jobs on both contractual and permanent basis.

Is a corporate lawyer part time?

The work shift of a corporate lawyer is only full-time and not part-time. a corporate lawyer just works in the regular shift but that does not imply that they do not need to work extra hours. corporate lawyers do extra hours when it is needed especially in the financial year. Though they work for nine to ten hours a day, in the financial year it can be up to fifteen hours.

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.

What is the best major for a lawyer?

Bachelor’s in Economics . Economics is an excellent major for aspiring lawyers, especially for those intending to work in corporate law, intellectual property, or another niche where an understanding of economic theory and the levers that drive capitalism can be useful.

What are the courses required to take the LSAT?

Courses such as business law, contract negotiations, and public speaking are just a few that have proven to be helpful.

What is a business administration degree?

A bachelor’s degree in business administration is well suited for law school, especially those applicants considering a corporate law track where knowing business fundamentals is helpful . The coursework is rigorous in reading, writing, and quantitative analysis, which is also helpful in preparing for the LSAT.

What is a criminal justice degree?

Because the criminal justice and legal systems are so intertwined, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice serves as an excellent undergraduate major in preparation for law school. Those considering work as a prosecuting or defense attorney may find the degree especially helpful, as the coursework and internships will give students a strong familiarity with the criminal justice system. Potential law students can also form helpful relationships with current lawyers that can provide insight into what it’s like to work in the criminal justice system. Helpful courses include criminology, criminal psychology, law & the criminal justice system, and social science research.

How many pre-law students choose political science?

Approximately 12,000-13,000 pre-law students choose political science as an undergraduate major, making it the most popular major by a wide margin. One in five applicants has a bachelor’s degree in political science.

What is a bachelors in public policy?

Bachelor’s in Public Policy. Public policy is a major component of law. In fact, public policy is nothing more than systems of laws, regulatory measures, and funding allocations that drive the policy out into society. Law shapes public policy and vice versa.

Why is law important?

Laws have material consequences on every person and structure. They influence outcomes across the life course, making the field extremely important to the stability and progress of society. The work done by law professionals is competitive and pays well. Because of these things, students wishing to pursue a career in law are faced ...

Why is a business lawyer important?

The business lawyer plays a very important role at the point where the business and legal worlds intersect, adding value and performing a valuable service for the client.

What are the benefits of being a business lawyer?

In short, business law is incredibly financially and intellectually rewarding. You will likely earn a high salary, and you will work with your clients to help them achieve their business goals (some of which can be as newsworthy as Facebook’s).

What documents do business lawyers need to draft?

For example, a business lawyer representing a bank in a lending transaction must draft the necessary documents, such as the loan agreement, promissory note, and security agreement, with an eye toward protecting the bank and ensuring that the borrower is obligated to pay the loan back in the manner requested by the bank.

What is business law?

Business law covers a wide range of legal areas and applies to many different types of business activities. The legal issues that a business lawyer faces may involve corporate law, partnership law, banking law, sales law, securities law, or some combination of the above.

What is the American Bar Association?

Last but certainly not least, the American Bar Association advises anyone interested in a legal career, regardless of the chosen specialty, to pursue educational, extracurricular, and life experiences that will foster the strengths and abilities needed for success in the legal world.

History

English

Philosophy

Political Science

Economics

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 ...

See more on discover.com

General Tips