How to become a lawyer

Pursuing a legal career requires commitment, strong academic performance, and careful planning. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps for how to become a lawyer—from completing your undergraduate education to being sworn in—so you can navigate each stage of the process with confidence.

Step 1: Complete a bachelor’s degree

Your journey to becoming a lawyer begins with earning a four-year undergraduate degree, which lays the academic foundation for law school. Law schools don’t require a specific major, but you’ll want to focus on courses that develop your writing, research, and critical thinking skills.

Popular majors include political science, English, and history, but any field is acceptable as long as you maintain a strong GPA and participate in activities that show leadership or public service.

Step 2: Take the LSAT

After building your academic skills in college, your next milestone is to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), a crucial exam for law school admission. This exam assesses your reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical thinking. Students spend several months preparing with study guides, prep courses, and practice exams.

Your LSAT score is a key part of your law school application, so give yourself plenty of time to study and consider retaking the test if needed.

LSAT test costs include the registration fee, charges for sending score reports to schools, and the price of prep courses or study materials. Planning for these expenses ahead of time will help you budget and focus on preparing for the exam.

Step 3: Apply to law schools

With your undergraduate degree and LSAT score in hand, you’re ready to start the law school application process by researching programs and preparing your materials. Applications usually require a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and sometimes a resume or additional essays.

Research each school’s requirements and deadlines and apply to a range of schools. Law school applications come with fees for each school you apply to, as well as costs for sending transcripts and LSAT scores. Some students also invest in application consulting services. Fee waivers may be available if you qualify.

Step 4: Complete law school

Once accepted, you’ll embark on 3 years of law school, where you’ll deepen your legal knowledge and gain practical experience. Your first year covers foundational courses like contracts, torts, and constitutional law. In the second and third years, you’ll participate in clinics, internships, or moot court to gain practical experience.

Upon graduation, you’ll earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. The JD is the standard law degree in the United States and is required to sit for the bar exam in most states. Earning your JD demonstrates that you have completed the rigorous academic and practical training needed to move forward in your legal career.

Law school costs can be substantial, especially at private institutions, with tuition and fees making up the largest portion. Also, you’ll need to budget for books, supplies, and living expenses throughout your three years. Many students use federal or private loans to help cover these costs, and scholarships or grants may also be available.

Step 5: Pass the bar exam

Following graduation, the next challenge is to pass the bar exam in your chosen state, a key requirement to practice law. The bar exam is a rigorous, multi-day test covering a range of legal topics. Most graduates spend two to three months studying full-time using bar review courses and practice tests.

Bar exam costs include registration fees, bar review courses, and sometimes travel and lodging if the exam is not near your home.

Step 6: Complete a character and fitness review

Alongside passing the bar, you must also undergo a character and fitness review to demonstrate your suitability for the profession. This process includes a detailed background check, questions about your personal and financial history, and sometimes an interview or hearing. Be honest and thorough, as transparency is crucial for approval.

There are normally fees for background checks, fingerprinting, and submitting required documents. These costs are less than other steps but should still factor into your plans.

Step 7: Get sworn in and start practicing

After meeting all those requirements, you will be officially sworn in as a licensed attorney, often in a formal ceremony. New lawyers often start as associates in law firms, public defenders, prosecutors, or government attorneys. You can also work in business, nonprofits, or open your own practice later on.

Some states charge a fee for the swearing-in ceremony or your initial law license. You may also need to pay for professional memberships, continuing education, and malpractice insurance as you begin your career.

Alternative paths: Becoming a lawyer without law school

Some states, like California, allow you to become a lawyer by apprenticing with a practicing attorney instead of attending law school. This “reading the law” path still requires you to pass the bar exam and meet all other requirements. While less common, it can be a good fit for some people.

While this path can save on law school tuition, you’ll still pay for study materials, bar exam fees, and living expenses during your apprenticeship.

FAQs about how to become a lawyer

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer in the United States takes about seven years of full-time study after high school. This includes four years to complete an undergraduate bachelor's degree and another three years of law school to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

After law school, you must pass the bar exam in the state where you intend to practice, which usually requires several months of dedicated study. Only after passing the bar exam can you get a license to practice law and represent clients in court.

How hard is it to become a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer is a demanding and competitive journey. Getting into law school requires strong academic credentials, and once admitted, students face intense coursework and high expectations. After graduating, passing the challenging bar exam is essential to practice law. The process tests your resilience, discipline, and commitment at every stage.

Can I specialize in a particular area of law?

Yes, many lawyers choose to specialize in a specific area of law based on their interests and career goals. Specialization can begin in law school and continue to develop through work experience and further education. Common legal specializations include:

• Criminal law

• Corporate or business law

• Family law

• Intellectual property law

• Environmental law

• Immigration law

• Tax law

• Personal injury law

• Real estate law

Choosing a law school

Choosing the right law school can significantly impact your education and career. Reputation and ranking may open doors to jobs and clerkships, but it’s important to weigh these alongside other key factors, including:

• ABA accreditation: Make sure the law school has American Bar Association accreditation.

• Location: Consider whether you want to practice law in the same state, as this can impact bar eligibility and job prospects.

• Specializations: Look for schools with strong programs in your areas of interest (e.g., environmental, corporate, or criminal law).

• Bar passage rate: Research the school’s bar exam pass rates, which can indicate the quality of its academic preparation.

• Employment outcomes: Review graduate employment statistics and on-campus recruitment opportunities.

• Cost and financial aid: Compare tuition, fees, and available scholarships or grants.

• Class size and culture: Think about the learning environment, student-to-faculty ratio, and campus culture.

• Alumni network: A strong alumni network can provide valuable mentorship and job connections.

• Experiential learning: Check for clinics, externships, and internship opportunities that offer practical experience.

• Career support services: Look for schools that offer robust career counseling, job placement assistance, and networking events.