Difference between revisions of "Become a Lawyer in the United States"
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=== Applying for Law School=== | === Applying for Law School=== | ||
| − | #Register for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). It's a half-day standardized test required for admission to all ABA-approved law schools, most Canadian law schools, and many non-ABA-approved law schools. It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. The test is administered four times a year, normally at various universities and colleges.<ref>http://ppmc.cc/</ref> | + | #Register for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). It's a half-day standardized test required for admission to all ABA-approved law schools, most Canadian law schools, and many non-ABA-approved law schools. It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. The test is administered four times a year, normally at various universities and colleges.<ref name="rf16059">http://ppmc.cc/</ref> |
#*Many law schools require the LSAT be taken by December for admission the following fall. However, taking the test earlier (June or October) is often advised. | #*Many law schools require the LSAT be taken by December for admission the following fall. However, taking the test earlier (June or October) is often advised. | ||
| − | #Study for the test. Actually, you should be doing this well in advance and spending time on it even to the minor neglect of other matters, considering success on it is as important as the rest of your classes—soon to be irrelevant except for some residual study and writing skills--'''combined'''. A 180 is a perfect score on the LSAT. Because of its importance, many students take a preparatory course to obtain the highest score possible, although disciplined study of course techniques from books may be as effective as hand-holding through them by a tutor. More information can be found on LSAC's website, including deadlines and fees (you'll be looking at around $300<ref>http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/lsat-cas-fees</ref>).<ref>http://www.lsac.org/jd</ref> | + | #Study for the test. Actually, you should be doing this well in advance and spending time on it even to the minor neglect of other matters, considering success on it is as important as the rest of your classes—soon to be irrelevant except for some residual study and writing skills--'''combined'''. A 180 is a perfect score on the LSAT. Because of its importance, many students take a preparatory course to obtain the highest score possible, although disciplined study of course techniques from books may be as effective as hand-holding through them by a tutor. More information can be found on LSAC's website, including deadlines and fees (you'll be looking at around $300<ref name="rf16060">http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/lsat-cas-fees</ref>).<ref name="rf16061">http://www.lsac.org/jd</ref> |
#*Although the LSAT is not often the best measure of a prospective law student's performance in law school, many law schools place substantial weight on scores on the LSAT, often approaching the weight given to college GPA. (The reason these are so important is that they are somewhat objective, especially the ''standardized'' test, so that they can be compiled for rankings, objective data of results rather than inputs such as bar exam scores is hard to come by or even manipulated as with short-term circularly school “funded employment”.) Take the LSAT very seriously. Some schools even give more attention to the LSAT than GPA. | #*Although the LSAT is not often the best measure of a prospective law student's performance in law school, many law schools place substantial weight on scores on the LSAT, often approaching the weight given to college GPA. (The reason these are so important is that they are somewhat objective, especially the ''standardized'' test, so that they can be compiled for rankings, objective data of results rather than inputs such as bar exam scores is hard to come by or even manipulated as with short-term circularly school “funded employment”.) Take the LSAT very seriously. Some schools even give more attention to the LSAT than GPA. | ||
#**If your GPA isn't the best, you can score well on the LSAT and it will be heavily taken into account. Scoring higher is also a factor for financial aid with most schools. | #**If your GPA isn't the best, you can score well on the LSAT and it will be heavily taken into account. Scoring higher is also a factor for financial aid with most schools. | ||
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#*Safety -- "Lower tier than I would like, but a safe bet I will get in if other schools don't come through." | #*Safety -- "Lower tier than I would like, but a safe bet I will get in if other schools don't come through." | ||
#Choose wisely. Application fees are high, so you can't just go around sending applications like you're giving out flyers. U.S. News and World Report publishes a widely-followed ranking of law schools that may be worth consulting before sending applications. To drill it in further, the better the school you go to, the more likely you are to have a sustainable career. Do your research before you commit to anywhere. | #Choose wisely. Application fees are high, so you can't just go around sending applications like you're giving out flyers. U.S. News and World Report publishes a widely-followed ranking of law schools that may be worth consulting before sending applications. To drill it in further, the better the school you go to, the more likely you are to have a sustainable career. Do your research before you commit to anywhere. | ||
| − | #*The job market for lawyers currently isn't pretty. In fact, across the country, twice as many people pass the bar as there are job openings. The only states that are producing fewer lawyers than they need are Wisconsin and Nebraska (and New York has the most).<ref>http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/the-lawyer-surplus-state-by-state/?_r=0</ref> In other words, competition is fierce. | + | #*The job market for lawyers currently isn't pretty. In fact, across the country, twice as many people pass the bar as there are job openings. The only states that are producing fewer lawyers than they need are Wisconsin and Nebraska (and New York has the most).<ref name="rf16062">http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/the-lawyer-surplus-state-by-state/?_r=0</ref> In other words, competition is fierce. |
#Resist the urge to apply to every school sending application fee waivers. Unfortunately, some schools are trying to generate a large base of rejected applicants by waiving application fees. Doing so makes their applied vs. accepted number seem higher and their school more selective. Although some schools may actively recruit you, you should apply with common sense. | #Resist the urge to apply to every school sending application fee waivers. Unfortunately, some schools are trying to generate a large base of rejected applicants by waiving application fees. Doing so makes their applied vs. accepted number seem higher and their school more selective. Although some schools may actively recruit you, you should apply with common sense. | ||
| − | #*Most applicants apply to at least four schools.<ref>http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets/BecomingALawyer.aspx</ref> If you don't get into the one you want, know that you're in good company. So many people are trying to get in, it's impossible for them to take even all the qualified candidates. | + | #*Most applicants apply to at least four schools.<ref name="rf16063">http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets/BecomingALawyer.aspx</ref> If you don't get into the one you want, know that you're in good company. So many people are trying to get in, it's impossible for them to take even all the qualified candidates. |
=== Going to Law School=== | === Going to Law School=== | ||
#Form a plan for survival. Many respected full time law programs will not permit you to work your first year. Even if they allow you to, they will strongly advise against it since your program will essentially be a full-time job. | #Form a plan for survival. Many respected full time law programs will not permit you to work your first year. Even if they allow you to, they will strongly advise against it since your program will essentially be a full-time job. | ||
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#Take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. After your first year of law school, you'll probably have to take the MPRE -- a standardized test that evaluates your knowledge on the standards of professional conduct. It's currently $73 to take; when you need it by and the score you need to pass is determined by your location.<ref name=mpre/> | #Take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. After your first year of law school, you'll probably have to take the MPRE -- a standardized test that evaluates your knowledge on the standards of professional conduct. It's currently $73 to take; when you need it by and the score you need to pass is determined by your location.<ref name=mpre/> | ||
#*Only Maryland, Washington, and Wisconsin do not require the MPRE. Connecticut and New Jersey waive the need for the test if you have a grade of C or better in your ethics course in law school.<ref name=mpre>http://barreciprocity.com/ethics-exam-mpre/</ref> | #*Only Maryland, Washington, and Wisconsin do not require the MPRE. Connecticut and New Jersey waive the need for the test if you have a grade of C or better in your ethics course in law school.<ref name=mpre>http://barreciprocity.com/ethics-exam-mpre/</ref> | ||
| − | #*California currently requires the highest score (86)<ref | + | #*California currently requires the highest score (86)<ref name="rf16063" />, with many other states only right behind (19 require a score of 85). The lowest score acceptable (in a few states) is 75.<ref name=mpre/> |
#*Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Nebraska require that you have the MPRE on file before you take the bar. Iowa requires it months in advance.<ref name=mpre/> | #*Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Nebraska require that you have the MPRE on file before you take the bar. Iowa requires it months in advance.<ref name=mpre/> | ||
#Get professional experience. If you have time, get a position at a law firm while you are a student that involves serving as an assistant, messenger or file clerk. At the very least, do a summer internship program. This is a great way to gain experience and build contacts for when you do graduate. | #Get professional experience. If you have time, get a position at a law firm while you are a student that involves serving as an assistant, messenger or file clerk. At the very least, do a summer internship program. This is a great way to gain experience and build contacts for when you do graduate. | ||
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#*Cases are much more about knowing the laws that can apply, often from codes, and understanding the factual principles than law schools would suggest through their strained analogies to court opinions (and those in some outlying famously controversial cases they teach about, perhaps for that reason). Don't hesitate to take on whatever you need to resolve them: the law should generally make sense all in all, and you can help. | #*Cases are much more about knowing the laws that can apply, often from codes, and understanding the factual principles than law schools would suggest through their strained analogies to court opinions (and those in some outlying famously controversial cases they teach about, perhaps for that reason). Don't hesitate to take on whatever you need to resolve them: the law should generally make sense all in all, and you can help. | ||
#Stay up-to-date. Keeping up to speed with the latest laws and changes in technological approaches will give you an edge and elevate your chances of success as a lawyer. The world is changing so quickly now it's imperative that you stay on the edge. | #Stay up-to-date. Keeping up to speed with the latest laws and changes in technological approaches will give you an edge and elevate your chances of success as a lawyer. The world is changing so quickly now it's imperative that you stay on the edge. | ||
| − | #*Many states, schools, and local bar associations offer continuing training and classes to keep their elite on top. Laws are constantly changing, so this is a necessary part of your career. Hopefully, your employer will encourage you to take part in this -- but you should do it for yourself, too!<ref>http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm#tab-4</ref> | + | #*Many states, schools, and local bar associations offer continuing training and classes to keep their elite on top. Laws are constantly changing, so this is a necessary part of your career. Hopefully, your employer will encourage you to take part in this -- but you should do it for yourself, too!<ref name="rf16064">http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm#tab-4</ref> |
===Lawyer Resume=== | ===Lawyer Resume=== | ||
[[Doc:Lawyer Resume,Associate Lawyer Resume]] | [[Doc:Lawyer Resume,Associate Lawyer Resume]] | ||
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*Research other sites and find out which students with grades and LSAT's similar to yours are getting accepted. | *Research other sites and find out which students with grades and LSAT's similar to yours are getting accepted. | ||
*You will need to sign up with the Law School Admissions Council, which will coordinate your scores, paperwork and recommendation letters for the application process. You must go through this agency; it isn't an option. | *You will need to sign up with the Law School Admissions Council, which will coordinate your scores, paperwork and recommendation letters for the application process. You must go through this agency; it isn't an option. | ||
| − | *Some places are a bit wonky, like California. Technically, ''technically', you don't have to go to law school to become a lawyer there. You just need to study underneath a professional for at least four years. While this is possible, know that it's...not reassuring to others.<ref | + | *Some places are a bit wonky, like California. Technically, ''technically', you don't have to go to law school to become a lawyer there. You just need to study underneath a professional for at least four years. While this is possible, know that it's...not reassuring to others.<ref name="rf16063" /> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
