what to major in college to be a corporate lawyer

by Augusta Kiehn V 5 min read

  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. The next step in becoming a corporate lawyer is to apply for attendance at an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
  4. Earn your juris doctor degree. Law school prepares you to earn your juris doctor (J.D.) degree, the degree you must hold to become an attorney.
  5. Pass the bar exam. Even if you do well in law school, you'll still need to pass the American Bar Association's (ABA) bar exam.
  6. Get licensure in your state. Upon passing the bar exam, you can apply for licensing in your state. ...
  7. Meet with professionals in the field. When searching for a position as a corporate lawyer, you may find more success if you've taken the time to connect with current ...
  8. Develop your resume. A strong resume can convince a hiring manager that you're the best candidate for the open position, or at least that they should interview with you ...

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, political science, legal studies, government and economics, from an accredited college or university.Jul 23, 2021

Full Answer

What qualifications do you need to be a corporate lawyer?

Oct 20, 2021 · Bachelor's Degree in Business. Law schools do not require admissions applicants to have degrees in a specific major, and aspiring lawyers can generally major in any subject they wish; however, a student's undergrad major may provide a good background for the type of law they eventually practice. As such, those who wish to practice corporate law might benefit from …

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

Feb 12, 2022 · A minor in management or economics can serve the needs of students interested in corporate law after college. What Should I Study If I Want To Be A Corporate Lawyer? Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a business, finance, political science, legal studies, government, or economics discipline from an accredited university or college is the first ...

What should I major in to become a lawyer?

Oct 20, 2021 · Students who want to pursue corporate law programs may opt to focus in finance, accounting, marketing, or management. Bachelor of Business Administration Program Business, management or business administration are common majors offered at many 4-year colleges and universities. Students can find programs that are offered fully or partially online.

What can I do with a law degree in corporate law?

Jul 23, 2021 · Follow these steps to become a corporate attorney: 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, political science, legal studies, government and economics, from an accredited college or university.

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What is the best major for a corporate lawyer?

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.Jan 3, 2022

What majors do lawyers most?

What to Major in to Become a LawyerHistory. 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. ... English. ... Philosophy. ... Political Science. ... Economics. ... Business. ... General Tips.Feb 12, 2021

What college major should I choose to be a lawyer?

Technically, students can get into law school with any kind of bachelor's degree. While there is no required major, it will be easier for students to get accepted into law school if they take courses like public speaking, history, mathematics, English, government and economics.

Is a BA or BS better for law school?

Well, the short answer is that your major doesn't have much of an impact on whether or not you gain admission to law school. The type of undergrad degree you earn (BA, BS, etc.) doesn't matter either.Jun 13, 2021

What is a psych major?

Becoming a Psychology Major. A psychology major examines the science of human behavior and mental processes. This includes the study of the mind, the brain, and human and animal social interactions. The major touches on many different areas of psychology like social, cognitive, abnormal, personality and developmental.Jul 16, 2019

What is law Major called?

1. Juris Doctor. Most individuals who are lawyers in the United States have the Juris Doctor (JD) degree. The Juris Doctor degree is not only considered the first law degree in the United States but is also the most well-known and one that's offered through the American Bar Association.

What does a corporate lawyer do?

Corporate lawyers structure transactions, draft documents, negotiate deals, attend meetings and make calls toward those ends. A corporate lawyer works to ensure that the provisions of an agreement are clear, unambiguous and won't cause problems for their client in the future.Oct 10, 2016

Is Psychology a good major for law school?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, psychology is among the top five majors overall, in addition to being a popular choice for pre-law students. Psychology provides the research and writing skills, analytical competency, and fundamental education in human behavior needed for law school.Feb 10, 2022

Essential Information

A Bachelor of Business Administration typically prepares students for management positions in companies and organizations. Although the Juris Doctor degree is required to practice law, the business administration degree offers adequate preparation in many business-related fields pertinent to corporate law.

Bachelor of Business Administration Program

Business, management or business administration are common majors offered at many 4-year colleges and universities. Students can find programs that are offered fully or partially online.

Job Outlook and Salary Information

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for lawyers is expected to increase by 4% for the 2019-2029 period. This growth is about as fast as the national average for all other occupations.

What is a corporate lawyer?

A corporate lawyer is an attorney who represents the company they work for. It's common for a larger business, and small companies too, to hire corporate attorneys to make sure it's in compliance for its industry and following all rules and regulations.

Corporate lawyer salary

The national average salary for a corporate lawyer in the United States is $130,857 per year, although your years of experience, education, skill set and geographical location can affect your salary.

Skills for a corporate lawyer

Here are some skills that corporate attorneys possess that help them find success in their career:

Jobs for a corporate lawyer

If working in the law field is something you're passionate about, there are many jobs to consider. Here are 10 jobs similar to a corporate lawyer:

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.

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.

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 Discover Student Loans affiliated with LSAT?

LSAT is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council, Inc., and is not affiliated with Discover Student Loans.

Corporate Lawyer Education Requirements And Degrees

There are several education requirements to become a Corporate Lawyer. Corporate Lawyers usually study Law, Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies or Legal Studies. 35% of Corporate Lawyers hold a Bachelor's Degree and 29% hold a Doctoral Degree.

Check Jobs That Match To Your Education

Here are the most common colleges for a Corporate Lawyer career in the US based on their resumes. Advocates often get their degree in Harvard University, New York University, and University of Connecticut .

10 Best Universities For Corporate Lawyers

In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for Corporate Lawyers. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs.

20 Best Online Courses for Corporate Lawyers

Sometimes things are just better when you get to stay in your pajamas all day. That includes school. We found top courses for Corporate Lawyers from Udemy, Coursera, EDX, and ed2go that will help you advance in your career. Here are essential skills you need to be a Corporate Lawyer:

Essential Information

Corporate lawyers are experts in business law and all related concepts. They defend clients and provide legal advisement, assistance and advocacy to corporations or government agencies in financial, securities or real estate law and other similar areas.

Corporate Lawyer Career Info

Corporate lawyers are responsible for understanding, defending and upholding any and all legal matters related to business and corporate affairs.

Education Requirements

Becoming a corporate lawyer requires at least seven years of undergraduate and graduate education. Prior to entering law school, students must earn a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject and from an accredited institution.

What is corporate law?

Candidates who complete their degree in law with a specialisation in Corporate Law and go on to build a professional career in the same field are known as Corporate Lawyers . As corporate lawyers, the overall job of candidates is to ensure and check the legality of all commercial transactions of the company or organisation for which they work. Corporate Lawyers also have to advise their corporations regarding their duties and legal rights and this is inclusive of the responsibilities and duties of the corporate officers of that organisation. The role of a corporate lawyer affects the whole organisation at large and they represent their corporations on the legal front. It comes upon the Corporate Lawyer to resolve any controversy that is faced by the company and offer legal solutions for the same. Corporate Lawyers also have an important role to play in internal investigations in which they have to look over the attorney-client privilege so that they can be considered to shelter any potential wrong doing by the company.

What is a partner in a law firm?

The partner of a law firm is responsible for running the daily administrative services of the firm. Partners directly supervise the legal and technical support teams of the law firm. They also have the responsibility of coordinating the new cases that are assigned to the firm.

What is the salary package offered to candidates?

The salary package offered to candidates is quite lucrative and increases if the performance is good. If a candidate is good at his/ her work, he/ she can also get involved in policymaking. Corporate Lawyers can be hired for making policies of the government. Corporate do not have to go to courts for their job.

What is a legal manager?

A legal manager, or the designated Corporate Lawyer, of a company, is completed responsibly for all the legal matters of the organisation. He/ she has to be an expert in commercial law and has to ensure that the transactions made by the company comply with the laws and regulations of corporate.

What is an associate in law?

Associate. An associate of a law firm can be a junior or a senior attorney. Associates are viewed as the employees of the partners and are usually freshers who have just stepped into the professional venture of Corporate Law. An associate has to carry out the day-to-day legal work for their clients as directed by the partners.

What is senior associate?

The post of a senior associate is one step ahead than that of an associate. After an associate has worked at a law firm for a specific number of years and performed all his/ her duties well, he/ she is promoted to the level of a senior associate. The responsibilities of a senior associate are more complex than those of associates. They deal with bigger issues of their clients and have a team working under them. Senior Associates at law firms may or may not be supervised by the partner.

What is industry expert?

They provide legal insight to all the transactions, business negotiations, and contracts that the corporation makes with other bodies. Industry experts are at a higher designation that in house counsel and cater to more complex cases and responsibilities.

What is the best language for pre-law students?

English is another famous choice for pre-law students, since so much reading and writing is required to perform well in this field. Learning to synthesize a lot of content and becoming sensitive to careful word choice will make you a stronger applicant and a better lawyer. 4. History. Admitted Students: 2,657.

Why is it important to prioritize academics during your undergraduate years?

For that reason, it is important to prioritize academics during your undergraduate years. Pursue a program that strengthens your critical reasoning and attention to detail. Certain fields, such as Classics, Linguistics, and Mathematics, demand more critical reasoning and attention to detail than others.

What does "pre-law" mean?

When people say “pre-law,” they simply mean that they approached college with the plan that, after graduating, they would one day apply to law school. While there is no pre-law major or set of required classes, you can still prepare for law school while in college. Here are just a few ways you can do that:

Why do schools emphasize learning?

Some schools prefer to emphasize learning for the sake of learning, while others help students plan ahead for their careers. As a prospective law student, finding the latter type of school will give you the context and support you need to excel once it comes time to apply.

Is there a law school major?

Beyond taking these steps, there is no single best major for law school. You can major in absolutely anything and apply to law school. However, there are schools and programs that do a better job of preparing you for graduate study.

Is it easy to get into law school?

Graduates go on to be judges, prosecutors, professors, legislators, mediators, and so much more. But getting into law school is no easy matter.

Where does Veronica live?

in History and Classics. After graduating, she joined CollegeVine serving as the Curriculum Development Manager. She currently lives in Cambridge, MA and is writing her debut novel.

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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…
See more on discover.com

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.