| When you see all these handsome Lawyers in TV | | | | in fields such as tax, labor, or corporate law. Law |
| series like LA Law, sitting in their fancy offices, | | | | students often acquire practical experience by |
| driving these flashy cars, have you ever realized | | | | participating in school-sponsored legal clinic |
| what they have been through in terms of time, | | | | activities; in the school's moot court competitions, |
| years of education, money, Certifications etc'. | | | | in which students conduct appellate arguments; in |
| Let me Describe to you the Lawyers course of | | | | practice trials under the supervision of |
| training. Formal educational requirements for | | | | experienced lawyers and judges; and through |
| lawyers include a 4-year college degree, 3 years | | | | research and writing on legal issues for the |
| in law school, and the passing of a written bar | | | | school's law journal. |
| examination. | | | | Law school graduates receive the degree of juris |
| Competition for admission to most law schools is | | | | doctor (J.D.) as the first professional degree. |
| intense. prospective lawyers should develop | | | | Advanced law degrees may be desirable for |
| proficiency in writing and speaking, reading, | | | | those planning to specialize, research, or teach. |
| researching, analyzing, and thinking logically-skills | | | | Some law students pursue joint degree programs, |
| needed to succeed both in law school and in the | | | | which usually require an additional semester or |
| profession. | | | | year of study. Joint degree programs are offered |
| Regardless of major, a multidisciplinary background | | | | in a number of areas, including law and business |
| is recommended. Courses in English, foreign | | | | administration or public administration. |
| languages, public speaking, government, | | | | After graduation, lawyers must keep informed |
| philosophy, history, economics, mathematics, and | | | | about legal and nonlegal developments that affect |
| computer science, among others, are useful. | | | | their practice. Currently, 40 States and |
| Students interested in a particular aspect of law | | | | jurisdictions mandate continuing legal education |
| may find related courses helpful. For example, | | | | (CLE). Many law schools and State and local bar |
| prospective patent lawyers need a strong | | | | associations provide continuing education courses |
| background in engineering or science, and future | | | | that help lawyers stay abreast of recent |
| tax lawyers must have extensive knowledge of | | | | developments. |
| accounting. | | | | The practice of law involves a great deal of |
| Acceptance by most law schools depends on the | | | | responsibility. Individuals planning careers in law |
| applicant's ability to demonstrate an aptitude for | | | | should like to work with people and be able to win |
| the study of law, usually through good | | | | the respect and confidence of their clients, |
| undergraduate grades, the Law School Admission | | | | associates, and the public. Perseverance, |
| Test (LSAT), the quality of the applicant's | | | | creativity, and reasoning ability also are essential |
| undergraduate school, any prior work experience, | | | | to lawyers, who often analyze complex cases and |
| and, sometimes, a personal interview. | | | | handle new and unique legal problems. |
| During the first year or year and a half of law | | | | Lawyers held about 695,000 jobs in 2002. About |
| school, students usually study core courses, such | | | | 3 out of 4 lawyers practiced privately, either in |
| as constitutional law, contracts, property law, | | | | law firms or in solo practices. Most of the |
| torts, civil procedure, and legal writing. In the | | | | remaining lawyers held positions in government |
| remaining time, they may elect specialized courses | | | | and with corporations and nonprofit organizations. |