A lawyer is a legal professional. Lawyers work in many different legal fields. They may represent someone in court accused of a crime, draft a legally binding employment contract or help someone negotiate a difficult divorce. To become a lawyer you must graduate from college, attend law school and pass the bar exam. You must also demonstrate certain skills.
College
Those who intend to apply to law school can major in any subject they choose. Many law school officials recommend that students major in a subject that helps them sharpen skills that they will use as a practicing lawyer, such as philosophy, to help students understand arguments, or English, to help them understand read texts closely. In order to apply for law school students must take the LSAT or Law School Admission Test. This tests a student's knowledge of subjects such as logic, math and vocabulary. Potential law students can take preparatory classes that may help them earn higher scores. High LSAT scores can open the door to admissions at Ivy League law schools.
Law Classes
Students may study material pertaining to constitutional law, environmental law, prison law, conflict resolution techniques, jurisprudence, contract laws, property and torts. An emphasis is placed on helping students gain an understanding of how the law functions. Students are also taught under the Socratic method, where they learn glean information via questioning, think quickly under pressure and form cogent legal arguments rapidly. Students generally attend law school for three years.
Passing the Bar
Those who want to become a lawyer must pass the state's bar exam. This is a written formal exam covering many areas of law. Students who have graduated from law school typically take time to study for the bar and attend preparation classes, which focus on specific state requirements. Lawyers must usually take and pass bar exams for each state where they would like to practice law. Students can expect to be tested on their understanding of local laws as well as their general knowledge of wills and trusts. Candidates may also be required to pass a performance test where they are given a sample case and asked to formulate a memorandum that illustrates their understanding of the underlying legal issues raised by the case in question.
Writing Skills
Practicing lawyers must be able to draft documents that use legal language correctly and effectively. A lawyer's education focuses on helping students learn to write well. Students are also expected to learn write precisely and make use of proper legal terminology as part of their job.
Logic
Lawyers must demonstrate their knowledge of construct a legal argument. A lawyer must be able to defend a client effectively and write a document that makes logical sense. As part of their education student lawyers are taught use logic to form arguments as well as use logic to deconstruct them. Law school can be grueling. Be prepared to focus intensely on the subject of law. Expect homework each night. Students who can block out distractions and set aside time solely to work on class material should excel in law school.
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