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Lawyers are very important pillars of society. The importance of the legal system can be seen across every aspect of our society. It has been said that lawyers form the backbone of the system and that is no exaggeration. The career as a lawyer is quite lucrative. Lawyers are obligated to adhere to a strict code of ethics.
The role of lawyers or attorneys is very crucial in maintaining the balance of the society. If on one hand they advise their clients about their legal rights and obligations, on the other they also represent their clients in civil and criminal trials. Right from personal, business, environmental to real estate, insurance and patents rights, lawyers handle all types of cases. Different attorneys have different fields of specialization and position. The majority of the lawyers are in private practice. Many attorneys are also employed at various levels of government like public defenders, state attorneys, legislation, and prosecutors etc. Quite a number of lawyers start their own legal firms and hire promising lawyers to handle different cases.
In order to become a lawyer, one will require to complete a four (or three) year college degree, 3 years of law school, and clearance of written bar examination. The particular requirements can vary from country to country and state to state but in general, this is the basic criteria. Getting admission in a top class law college is no easy task. The competition is quite tough and candidates need to be at their best if they wish to go through the difficult entrance examination.
A lawyer needs to be proficient in writing and speaking, reading, researching, analyzing, and logical thinking etc. These qualities will hold a lawyer in good stead. It is also recommended to have multidisciplinary background to get into a law college. For instance, courses in English, history, foreign languages, mathematics, public speaking, economics, government and philosophy etc are good for an aspiring lawyer. Law applicants need to show an aptitude for the study of law, usually through undergraduate grades, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the quality of the applicant’s undergraduate school, any prior work experience, and sometimes, a personal interview if they intend to join their dream law college.
Applicants need to take LSAT for which completion is very intense. Once the candidate has been admitted into the college, he needs to take certain core courses like civil procedure, constitutional law, legal writing, contracts, property law and torts etc. Later on, he or she will to have choose specialized courses in fields such as tax, labor, or corporate law. To gain practical experience, candidates are encouraged to attend clinical programs and mock practice sessions under the guidance of experienced lawyers and judges. Students can also work in legal-aid offices, legislative committees, law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments to gain valuable work experience.
A lawyer must obtain license to practice law in the courts of any State or other jurisdiction. To get the license, person must pass a written bar examination and a separate written ethics examination. Career as a lawyer can be very rewarding. Most of the lawyers are self-employed, practicing either as partners in law firms or in solo practices.
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