Lawyer; Your Attorney at Law

Lawyers; Your Attorney At Law

The world offers many job opportunities. The career many show and interests in is law. When thinking of law, to some lawyers may come to mind. What is a lawyer? A lawyer is one whose profession is to give advice and assistance to clients. Lawyers also have to represent their clients in legal matters. There is a lot of education required in becoming a lawyer. There are working condition and money involved with a lawyer.

Background

Lawyers are also called attorneys. A lawyer general has a main interest in people and law. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients concerning their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances faced by their client.

Lawyers may specialize in a number of areas such as, bankruptcy, probate, international, or elder law. Most lawyers are in private practice. Their main concentration is in criminal or civil law. A significant number of lawyers are employed with varies levels of government. Some work for State attorney General, prosecutors, public defenders, and courts. Government lawyers argue civil and criminal cases on behalf of the government. Other lawyers work for legal aid societies. These lawyers handle civil cases rather than criminal cases. Very little trained attorneys work in law schools. A lawyer is not the only profession when legal training is necessary. Lawyers are similar to paralegals, and legal assistances. The main differences between them are lawyers work with clients and defend them. Where as paralegals push paper and set up cases. They are also different on the pay scale. A lawyer is at the top. A paralegal is not completely on the bottom but it is below a lawyer. This profession has many benefits. Lawyers must go through special schooling (occupational outlook handbook edition 2006-07). Before allowed to practice law in most states, a person usually must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, complete three years at an accredited law school. They must pass a state bar examination, which usually lasts for two or three days; it tests knowledge in selected areas of law and in professional ethics and responsibility. One must pass a character and fitness review; each applicant for a law license must be approved by a committee that investigates his or her character and background. Another thing is to take an oath swearing to uphold the laws and the state and federal constitutions; receive a license from the state supreme court. Some states have additional requirements, such as internship in a law office, before a license is granted.

Education

In becoming a lawyer, school is a big necessity. Education is the most important requirement in becoming a lawyer. Lawyer need to have four years of college and three years of law school. In order to get into any law school, one must have a bachelor’s degree. This is a requirement to be admitted into the school. Going into and undergraduate school there are really no recommended pre law majors. Lawyers should develop proficiency in writing, speaking, reading, researching, analyzing, and thinking logically. These skills are all a requirement in succeeding in law school and this profession. Acceptance by many laws varies. The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is a test one must take in order to get into any type of law school, no matter the ranking. During the first year or year and a half student usually study constitutional law, contracts, property law, torts (Damage, injury, or a wrongful act done willfully, negligently, or in circumstances involving strict liability, but not involving breach of contract, for which a civil suit can be brought.), civil procedures, and legal writing. For the remainder of the years one may specialize in field such as taxes, labor, and/or, corporate law. A number of law schools have clinical programs. In these programs, students gain experience by practice trials and projects under practicing lawyers and law school faculties. After graduating law school, student will receive the degree of juris doctor (Doctor of Law)

(J.D.) as the first professional degree. To this, it requires an additional semester and/or another year of study. Some law pursues joint degree programs. Joint degree is not just in law. It is also in business administration, and/or public administration. After graduation, lawyers must stay informed about legal non-legal development that affects one’s practice. This practice involves a great deal of responsibility (Occupational outlook handbook 2006-07 Edition). Law schools are ranked in several