Lawyers Talk » Becoming a Lawyer

How to be a lawyer without a law degree?

Tomas — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:42:19 +0000

It is possible to practice law without having a law degree. If you are very much interested in practicing law and committed to it, then it is not difficult to get a job in a law firm. Many of the qualities of a lawyer are not developed when learning law. They are acquired even while you are doing your non-law degrees. Even in your ordinary business of life you gain practical knowledge about law. Law firms, banks, city institutions and big corporations take in people with skills to handle matters related to law. They are not looking for your educational qualifications and the grades obtained, but they want people with real legal skills. If you have an aptitude to analyze available information and use it to your advantage, you surely can become a lawyer.

In California it is possible to become a lawyer even without a degree in any discipline. The first thing you have to do in California is to take the College Level Equivalent Program (CLEP) test. Then you have to pass the California First Year Law Student’s Examination, commonly known as Baby Bar FYSLX. 36 months after passing that test you are entitled to appear for the California Bar Examination. In California and some other states attending a college degree course or a law school is not mandatory to become an attorney. There study of law in a law office and passing the necessary tests and examinations are enough to become a lawyer. The attitude of the American Bar Association is still to discourage people to become lawyers without attending a law school. But it is possible.

How to become a lawyer late in life?

Tomas — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:17:26 +0000

Going for learning law at an age of 30 or more is not uncommon. People over 40 are seen in law schools. Age surely is not an obstacle to pursue study of law. After spending some time of your life in other professions, if you think you want to learn law it is not a difficult proposition. At that age you may have a burning desire to get into the lawyer’s profession. That makes it easier to concentrate on your new love. Being in your middle age is very helpful. You have with you all your experience in life. Your approach to things will be more mature and diverse. You can analyze the information available better and differently. And if you have a taste for law it is easier to learn it. The previous career will bring in a lot of experience also.

There are night schools which teach law. They have the approval of the American Bar Association. It takes four years to graduate from such schools. But the advantage is that you are financially independent. While going to the school in the evening you can go to work during the day time and earn money. Since you can take up a full time job during this period there will not be any difficulty in looking after the needs of your family. Before going for the lawyer’s profession you must consider the negative side also. Law education is expensive and very hard work is expected of a lawyer to succeed. You may not get enough time to enjoy life. But the profession is highly paying.

How to become a lawyer without leaving your home?

Tomas — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:51:01 +0000

Do you want to become a lawyer without going to the law school? In this age of internet it is not a difficult proposition. Even earlier it was possible through the correspondence schools. Interne has only made it easier, faster and avoided waste of time. First you have to make sure that you have the intense desire to learn law and become a lawyer. Obtaining a law degree online is possible. But both obtaining the degree and practicing law are not for the lazy people. Regular, planned work will make your dreams come true. Believe in yourself that you can do it and work systematically for attaining your goal.

Find out the source of learning from the internet. Get an overview of what you have to learn. Meticulously plan your time for learning law and other activities. If you are working for earning a livelihood, allocate time for that too. Do not be worried about what you have to learn. Review frequently what you have already learned. That will add to your confidence. It is not like old times now. No waiting for days together for the mail to come in the case of every lesson. All information is on your own fingertips. What you need is a computer, a high speed internet connection and a determination on your part to achieve what you need. The cost is also considerably lower than going to the law school. All the law libraries of the world are at your service practically without any cost for you.

One source of information on the learning of law is the website “Becoming a Lawyer“.