becoming a lawyer
...y four years of College education. Jenson 2 Most law schools do not specify any particular courses for prelaw education. Usually a liberal arts course is advisable, with courses in English, history, economics, social sciences, logic and public speaking. The same requirements would apply to someone still in high school who plans on a career in law. A high school student should plan on a preparatory course in college though also the specialized training will come later. They should plan on courses such as economics, agriculture, or political science. they also should phone the law school of your choice and ask if they have any particular requirements. Right now 177 law schools in the United States law schools are approved by the American Bar Association, others, many of them night schools, are approved by the state authorities only. Law School training itself consists of required courses such as legal writing and research, contracts, criminal law, constitutional law, torts, and property. The second and third years can be devoted to things like, evidence, business transactions, corporations, or admiralty. The study cases and decisions of important to the law student who will eventually have to read and study hundreds of cases. A degree of Juris Doctor or bachelor of laws is usually granted upon graduation. Some students considering specialization, research, or teaching may go to advanced study. Most law schools require applicants take the law school admissions test, which is where prospective lawyers are tested on their critical thinking, writing and reasoning abilities. Lawyers with an outstanding ability may expect to go a long way in this job. Most lawyers normally start as clerks, but as they prove themselves and develop their abilities Jenson 3 many opportunities for advancement will come up. They can be promoted to a junior partner, or establish their own practice. They may also enter politics and become a judge, mayor, congressman, or other leader. About four-fifths of the 587,000 practicing lawyers in the United States are in a private practice, either in a law firm or alone. The rest are employed in government jobs at local levels. These consist of the Department of Justice, treasury and defense. The top 10 percent of graduating law students will have no trouble finding a worthy job. Graduates from lower class standings and from lesser known schools may have a little more trouble finding a good employer. The income of a lawyer generally will increase as the lawyer gains more experience and becomes well known. The starting salary for the federal government is about $27,000. Average starting salaries for lawyers is about $47,000. The top graduates from the best law schools is over $80,000 a year. The average for most experienced lawyers in a private industry are making more than $120,000 a year. Some senior partners earn well over one million dollars a year. Offices and courtrooms are usually the main working conditions for lawyers. They will also spend a significant amount of time in law librari...