Becoming a lawyer is one of the toughest fields to get into. There is a lot of competition in this career and a lot at stake too. Going through law school will not be very easy to afford in any way. Therefore, before you pursue this career, it is important that you be well informed about all that is at stake and how to become a lawyer.

We will go through all the tips you will need at different steps of the way as you work towards becoming a successful lawyer.

Tip 1: Get a clear career outlook

Before you get admission into the university to study law or even dive into it, get a clear picture of the job. Know what it entails and do some research about the logical and statistical concerns you may have. What is the salary, what are job prospects, and what are the long-term benefits of studying law? This sort of detailed evaluation a great start because you can be sure that you want to do this.

Tip 2: Understand the job requirements

There are different kinds of lawyers. It is a very broad field and as a lawyer, you can do all kinds of jobs. You can work in a private, corporate, or government setting. The common responsibilities of lawyers include giving legal advice, counseling about legal issues, researching information, gathering evidence, and handling paperwork and prosecuting or defending cases in the court.

Tip 3: Define your career objectives

It doesn’t end at knowing about the lawyer. You need to know what your goals are in terms of achievement. What can you expect from this field? You can get a better idea if you check the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median pay in 2014 was reported to be $114,970 per annum. There was a job growth of 6% in all professions in the US, including law.

Tip 4: Excel in Academics

One thing that will better your chances at becoming a lawyer is a great college and university background. It is better for you to attend a reputable law school and college. This increases your chances of landing at a great job opportunity. Take all the necessary courses and excel at them. Be great at writing them, think critically, and do great in English and Government Economics.

Take part in extracurricular activities, be a leader. Take part in community services too. Start clubs or join clubs where you can apply or learn critical thinking and get leadership skills and qualities. Ensure that you have a disciplined lifestyle that would make you a better lawyer. When you complete high school and college, you must ace the LSAT exam. After that, take up some jobs for professional growth and prepare for the Bar exam. The Bar exam is very difficult and very few lawyers pass it.

To prepare for the Bar exam, you will need to study for at least 400-600 hours. This means approximately 20 hours a week. It is better to start studying in the third year of studying law. Do not wait until graduation.

Preparing for the Bar Exam

Here are some tips on how to prepare for the exam:

1. Study independently: Those who study at a reputable law school do quite well in their classes. Nonetheless, you will need to spend enough time studying for the exam, without depending on a teacher. Preparing yourself will be the best way forward.

2. Take up a bar prep course: Usually, law students take up prep course to stay on track. Taking this course will help you make sure that there are no gaps in your content strategy and knowledge. Such courses may be a bit expensive, but they help pass the bar exam.

3. Hire a private tutor: If you were not lucky enough to study at a highly ranked law school, it is okay. You can hire a tutor to help you become better and prepare for the exam to pass it with good grades. They know more steps to become a lawyer and can help. Choose a tutor who is affordable and has many recommendations. If you get a bad tutor, you may be wasting your time and money.

Tip 5: Continuing Education is important

It does not end with joining the American Association of Lawyers or passing the Bar exam. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) is very important because you must stay informed and be up-to-date with information.

Becoming a lawyer is not easy, but it is one of the best professions. Now you know how long does it take to become a lawyer?