Have you always wanted to work in the law? Make sure you take a look at this guide to learn how you can kick-start you career as a family practice lawyer.
If your top three TV shows include Matlock, Law and Order, and Suites, chances are you are interested in becoming a lawyer.
And you’re not alone. in 2018 there were 1.34 million lawyers in the United States. Being a lawyer is a noble career choice that brings prestige, intellectual challenges, and allows you to help others.
Have you always wanted to work in the law? Make sure you take a look at this guide to learn how you can kick-start your career as a family practice lawyer.
If you’re looking at leaving your current dead-end job or trying to decide where to start, here’s what you need to know.
What a Family Practice Lawyer Does
First things first. Before we talk about becoming a family practice lawyer let’s talk about what they do to make sure you are still interested.
A family attorney deals with a wide range of issues including:
- Divorce
- Adoption
- Domestic violence
- Prenuptial agreements
- Child custody
A family lawyer has to deal with everything from handling the financial side of settlements to defending a child in a domestic abuse case. These are sensitive issues that must be handled with care and confidentiality.
An average workday would include meeting with clients, researching cases, and investigating the evidence, and attending hearings. To get a better idea of what this job requires, visit this attorney’s website.
If this is something that sounds appealing to you, keep reading to find out how to qualify for this job.
1. Get Your Bachelor’s Degree
The first thing is to finish a Bachelor’s degree. It doesn’t matter too much what you get your undergraduate degree in, you just need a 4-year degree to get into law school.
Experts do agree though that your undergraduate degree should be rigorous. Don’t choose a degree just because it looks easy. Also, choose something that will develop critical and abstract thinking skills.
2. Take Your LSAT
The LSAT is the Law School Admittance Test and it is required to get into any law school. And not to scare you, but it is unlike any test you’ve ever taken.
The LSAT is a skills-based exam to test your critical reading and analytical thinking skills that are essential for law school. There are 5 sections of the test that are timed for 35 minutes each.
Be prepared for the LSAT by taking practice exams and prep courses.
3. Attend Law School
Most law students earn their law degree in about 3 years if they are attending school full-time.
Courses taken in law school include:
- Criminal law
- Property rights
- Civil procedure
- Contracts
- Constitutional law
Students will also learn how a courtroom runs by participating in mock court proceedings.
4. Pass Your Bar Exam
The bar exam is given in each state. Every lawyer, regardless of the specialty, must pass the bar exam to obtain a law license. You must be able to show proof of education and have a background check to take the bar exam
The bar exam consists of a series of tests taken over the course of 2 or 3 days. These tests include both multiple choice and essay questions.
5. Practice Law
Once you have passed the bar exam you free to do what you wish with your law degree. Most new lawyers will choose to work for a firm to gain experience. Others will take the plunge and open their own firm to be a family practice lawyer.
No matter what you choose, we’re here for you and all of your career questions. So don’t hesitate to contact us. We can give you the best advice on how to write the best resume, get a job, and then grow your law career to be more successful than you ever imagined.
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