Subjects Needed to Become a Lawyer
What are the Professional Requirements for Becoming a Lawyer?
The woman told Arthur she had uterine cancer. Before long, they were discussing what her funeral could look like, the family she'd leave behind, and all the things she wanted to do before she died.
Many unrepresented parties cannot afford a lawyer to provide full-time legal assistance for their case.
The field of law requires the analytical, grammar and writing skills that courses in English provide. Lawyers spend quite a bit of time reading and analyzing cases, which makes having the ability to read documents and texts closely significant.
In addition to written skills, law schools will encourage students to have good public speaking skills, as most lawyers will spend at least some time in the courtroom. Public speaking skills can be acquired through several types of undergraduate debate and public speaking courses.
The American Bar Association (ABA) accepts students from all academic backgrounds, note authors at Learnhowtobecome.org. There are no right or wrong academic paths to pursue at the undergraduate level, and prospective lawyers need not have formally studied pre-law classes in high school or in college. However, most law schools do require ...
Law schools do, however, require that students take and pass a certain number of credit hours.
Criminal law deals with the types of behavior that society punishes with fines and incarceration. Criminal law is mainly derived from statutes; however, most law students who are taking a criminal law course are required to read cases regarding judicial opinions on each specific type of crime.
The subject of torts encompasses noncriminal damages that one party inflicts upon another. The most popular topics within this subject include negligence, products liability, defamation and the seven intentional torts (assault, battery, false imprisonment, infliction of emotional distress, trespass to land, trespass to chattel and conversion).
The subject of contracts deals with the legalities and formalities for forming a legally binding agreement between two or more parties. Common topics in a contracts class consist of the elements of a contract, the statute of fFrauds, parole evidence, the mail box rule and other provisions set forth in the Uniform Commercial Code.
Constitutional law encompasses the specific rights in the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights as well as the large body of Supreme Court decisions. Some of the more popular constitutional law topics include civil rights, abortion, commerce, states' rights and the specific roles and power limitations of the three branches of the federal government.
Property law deals with an individual's ownership rights in his own personal or real property, although the vast majority of property law revolves around issues dealing with land and real estate. Some of the more popular topics in property law include easements, the rule against perpetuities, landlord and tenant rights, gifts and mineral and water rights.
The exact requirements can vary somewhat by state, but educational requirements for lawyers always include certain degrees and exams.
The J.D. is the most common law degree, but you might also want to pursue a master of law degree or doctor of judicial science degree depending on your aspirations. The doctor of judicial science degree is the highest and most prestigious law degree available and recognized in the U.S.
Bar examiners in some states also consider the applicant's character. Most states require that lawyers take continuing education courses throughout their careers to keep current and to maintain their licenses to practice.
Admissions officers put a great deal of weight on LSAT scores; ABA-accredited law schools won't accept applicants who haven't taken the test. The LSAT is a half-day standardized examination that tests the analytical and reading comprehension skills considered necessary to succeed in law school.
Becoming a lawyer is no cake walk. It takes a lot of time, effort and intelligent choices to begin a career in law. Start by selecting the right classes. Even though you don’t need any specific ones to get into law school, certain subjects can help your chances.
Most law schools require a bachelor’s degree for admittance. Although no specific degree or set of courses is required for admission, certain courses can be helpful. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, classes in English, public speaking, government, history, economics and mathematics are useful.
Most law schools require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT. The LSAT measures reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logical reasoning, all skills needed to succeed in law school and as a lawyer. While the LSAT is not a university subject, you may take private courses to help you study for the exam.
Law school, which typically takes three years to complete, covers subjects to prepare you for a variety of legal situations. You can expect to take courses in constitutional law, which teaches about the legislative powers of the government, and contract law, which involves studying the nature of enforceable promises.
After you become a lawyer, you’re still not in the clear as far as studying goes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 45 states — as of 2011 — required lawyers to take continuing education courses on an annual basis or every three years.
Focus on a well-rounded high school education that hones writing skills.Take high school classes that emphasize organized research and persuasive writing, as well as critical study of others’ writings. Because much of a lawyer’s practice involves communicating, courses that build vocabulary help.
Law students and lawyers must learn to make persuasive oral arguments. Join your high school’s debate or forensics clubs to get a jump-start on verbal sparring. To develop public-speaking skills, make formal presentations in class or volunteer to speak in front of groups at school, in the community or at work.
There are several qualification routes you can take to become a solicitor:
If you are qualified as a lawyer in a different country you will need to have your qualifications recognised by the Law Society.