How To Become A Lawyer: Education, Salary And Job Outlook

If you’re passionate about the pursuit of justice—or you simply can’t back down from the promise of a healthy debate—a career in law might be the right move.

But what is a lawyer, exactly? Lawyers, also known as attorneys, are professionals hired to help clients navigate the complex legal system. Attorneys understand how laws and regulations apply to their clients. In many cases, lawyers appear in court to argue for favorable outcomes on behalf of clients. However, some specialize in areas of the law that do not typically involve court appearances.

Entering the legal profession requires many years of higher education, passing the bar exam, and keeping up to date with ever-changing laws and regulations. Read on to discover everything you need to know about becoming a lawyer.

What Is a Lawyer?

Lawyers are professionals hired to provide legal counsel to their clients. Attorneys represent their clients in legal proceedings, including court hearings and trials. They work with individuals, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, to name a few.

What Does An Attorney Do?

Attorneys are experts in the legal and judicial system. They interpret laws on behalf of their clients, research and analyze legal issues, represent clients in court, and prepare legal documents such as wills, contracts and lawsuits. They also advise their clients in writing about courtroom proceedings and the execution and implications of various transactions.

While the image of a lawyer standing up and arguing before a judge and jury is popularly associated with the profession, not all lawyers regularly appear in the courtroom. As founder and CEO of PreLawPro Ben Cooper points out, “There are also a lot of lawyers that work in areas outside of the courtroom; these areas often involve working with clients as they navigate complex transactions. Whether working in the courtroom or transactional work, lawyers can represent a broad spectrum of clients.”

All attorneys provide legal counsel, but specific duties vary depending on their specialization. For example, defense attorneys appear in criminal court on behalf of clients who have been charged with crimes. On the other hand, family lawyers help their clients navigate the legalities of divorce and child custody. Whatever branch of law they specialize in, lawyers help their clients achieve the best possible outcome of their trial or transaction.

Where Do Attorneys Work?

Most lawyers work in office settings for legal practices. Others work for state, local and federal governments. Public defenders frequently appear in court, but for many other lawyers, court appearances are a small part of their responsibilities. In some rare cases, attorneys may travel to meet with clients in their homes, hospitals, or prisons.

Being an attorney can be stressful and demanding, and it’s not uncommon for lawyers to work over 40 hours per week. Attorneys who work with vulnerable populations—such as children, the elderly and incarcerated people—may find the job rewarding yet emotionally taxing.

Lawyer Education Requirements

Prospective lawyers must earn a four-year undergraduate diploma as well as a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Attorneys commonly earn their degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), but not all states and jurisdictions require this.

Certification and continuing education requirements vary by state and specialization. For example, tax attorneys may pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree after earning their J.D.

Top Skills for Lawyers

Lawyers take on demanding work that requires strong reasoning and communication abilities. Here are some of the top skills needed.

• Analytical skills: Lawyers must be able to analyze laws and understand how they apply to client cases.
• Relationship building and collaboration: Lawyers must develop trusting relationships with their clients to be successful advocates.
• Research and critical reading: Attorneys spend hours researching laws and regulations that affect their clients to provide accurate and relevant legal counsel.
• Written and verbal communication: Lawyers must be able to deliver compelling arguments and provide clear and detailed written advice.

How To Become a Lawyer

It takes several years of study plus licensure to become a lawyer. Every attorney must be admitted to the state bar in order to practice law in their jurisdiction of choice.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

The first step toward becoming a lawyer is earning a bachelor’s degree. Law school programs don’t require any specific field of undergraduate study, but common pre-law majors include history and social sciences. Cooper notes that although your specific major is less important, “law schools do place a great deal of emphasis on your success as an undergraduate in the form of your GPA.”

Take the LSAT® or GRE®

Most ABA-accredited schools require applicants to pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT tests your reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning and writing abilities. The exam consists of several multiple-choice sections and a separate writing assessment.

General graduate school admissions use the GRE. This standardized exam tests your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing capabilities. As of January 2023, about 100 institutions also accept GRE scores instead of LSAT scores. However, the LSAT remains the only graduate admissions test accepted by every ABA-accredited law school.

Complete Law School

Earning a J.D. typically takes three years of full-time study, although part-time programs do exist. Attending law school equips you with the necessary tools to thrive as a lawyer, including communication skills, legal analysis and an understanding of the areas of law covered on the bar exam. Some examples of J.D. courses you will encounter include civil procedure, criminal law, torts, and legal research and writing.

Pass the Bar Exam

Aspiring lawyers must pass the bar exam to become licensed in their state. The two-day exam includes an essay component and a 200-item test covering contracts, constitutional law, evidence, criminal law, real property and torts. Cooper advises, “Many states have accepted the Multistate Bar Exam while also incorporating aspects that are state-specific. To confirm the requirements of your desired jurisdiction, be sure to do your own research as the requirements do vary.”

Meet Character and Mental Fitness Requirements

Every individual must undergo a background investigation to be accepted to the bar. Even before reaching this stage, aspiring lawyers must disclose certain issues, such as academic discipline, arrests and criminal convictions, when applying to  J.D. programs.

Jurisdictions evaluate whether the applicant possesses strong moral character and mental fitness. They consider the applicant’s personal history, including any felony convictions, substance abuse or academic misconduct.

However, these concerns may not disqualify you from becoming a lawyer if they happened a long time ago or were isolated incidents and you can show that your behavior and character have changed for the better. “If you have concerns about this as it relates to your own journey,” Cooper suggests, “it is wise to contact the bar association of your desired state to seek guidance.”

Take Your Oath

After passing the bar exam, the final step is to take your oath and complete the process of becoming a licensed, state-recognized attorney. This involves a swearing-in ceremony organized by the local bar association, law school or other group. In limited instances, you can take your oath in a virtual ceremony rather than in person.

Lawyer Salary and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lawyers make a median wage of $135,740 per year. Attorneys employed by the federal government earn the highest median salary, clocking in at $158,370 annually. The most lucrative states for practicing attorneys are California, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C. Regardless of where an attorney works, salaries vary by area of practice, years of experience and employer size.

Employment for attorneys is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032—much faster than the average growth rate of 3% across all occupations.

Lawyer Specializations

Governments, nonprofits, corporations and individuals rely on attorneys to provide legal advice tailored to their particular situation. Below, we detail a few examples of attorney specializations.

• Environmental lawyers work on behalf of advocacy groups, government agencies, nonprofits and corporations. They ensure compliance with environmental laws and help clients interpret relevant regulations.
• Tax lawyers help businesses and individuals navigate tax issues and understand relevant tax regulations.
• Family lawyers advise families on issues such as divorce or child custody.
• Intellectual property lawyers interpret and apply laws relating to intellectual property, including trademarks, patents and creative works.

Certifications for Lawyers

Several certifications exist for lawyers to prove their competency in specific areas. We explore two examples below.

Accredited Legal Professional (ALP)

The ALP demonstrates overall preparation for entering the legal field. The certification is awarded after passing a three-part exam; each component takes 75 minutes. The exam costs $170 for National Association for Legal Support Professionals members and $195 for nonmembers.

Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS)

An EPLS certification indicates a high level of professionalism within the estate planning law specialization. Requirements for this certification include:

• Five or more years of experience as an estate planning attorney
• 36 or more hours of continuing legal education in estate planning over the last three years
• Professional liability insurance coverage
• Recommendations from at least five colleagues
• Passing a national exam

The certification exam costs $500 for members of the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and $600 for nonmembers.

State Board Certification

Individual states sponsor or approve board certification in various legal specialties. Lawyers can pursue board certification in dozens of legal subdisciplines. These include broad categories such as labor and employment, personal injury, criminal law and tax law along with niche focuses such as aviation, admiralty and maritime law, and franchise and distribution law. Check with your local authority to see what board certifications are available in your area.

Professional Organizations for Lawyers

Lawyers may join a professional organization relevant to their focus areas or specific communities. These include local bar associations and international organizations like the American Inns of Court.

Cooper offers this insight for emerging attorneys: “Many state and local bar associations have ‘sections’ or ‘divisions’ that are intended for lawyers in certain practice areas and often have a ‘young lawyers’ section which is great way for those in their first few years of practice to meet other lawyers in the same career stage.”

Women’s Bar Associations

Women’s bar associations provide for the legal needs of women and girls around the country. These area-based professional organizations for female attorneys offer local networking and professional development opportunities and promote the advancement of women in the legal profession.

National Bar Association (NBA)

The NBA is the nation’s oldest professional organization for Black attorneys and judges. It promotes diversity in the legal profession, provides networking opportunities for its members, and hosts several events and webinars throughout the year.

American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)

AIPLA provides members with education, advocacy and peer support resources, including in-person and online meetings and events, committee programs, and legislative policy activities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Lawyer