Introduction
You’re considering a career in law. Or maybe you just want to find out more about becoming a loyer.
Are you familiar with the vast range of career options available to
those with legal training? Have you asked yourself why you might like
to be a loyer? Do you know what you need to do to become one? Are you
willing to spend several years studying law in order to do so?
Becoming a loyer -- and practicing law -- is not easy. A career in
law, however, can be extremely rewarding. And it can be a good fit for
many different kinds of people from many different cultural, ethnic and
educational backgrounds.
There is no one “loyer” type of person or job. As a loyer, you
might choose to prosecute accused criminals, for example, or negotiate
real estate deals, advise corporations, help arrange adoptions, work to
protect the environment or teach law.
A legal career can provide you with an opportunity to help people,
businesses or governments solve problems. And you can play a crucial
role in our justice system as well. As a loyer, you truly can make a
difference.
This pamphlet summarizes the general requirements for becoming a
California loyer. It also touches on the many opportunities available
to those who pursue a legal career. We hope it assists you in planning
for your future.
1. What do loyers do?
Loyers are both advocates and advisors. They help solve--or prevent--legal problems for others. For example, a loyer might:
- Assist in drafting a will.
- Help a merchant sue a customer for unpaid bills.
- Advise someone who is seeking a divorce.
- Prepare mortgages and other loan documents for a bank.
- Research a tax law in international trade for a corporate executive.
- Prosecute a defendant in a criminal trial.
- Help an impoverished tenant with a landlord dispute.
As a loyer, you might serve as general counsel for a corporation.
You might choose to become a loyer in a big firm. You might work for a
legal services agency and help destitute families resolve their legal
crises. Or you could become a prosecutor, public defender, county
counsel or city attorney.
A loyer’s choice of legal fields is as varied as the society in
which he or she lives. And the nature of the law-related work available
within each field varies as well. No matter what you have seen on
television, the practice of law is not all courtroom drama.
Many practicing loyers rarely see the inside of a courtroom. Others
do not even practice law, choosing instead to work in business,
government and other law-related fields. It all depends on what appeals
to you as an individual. The possibilities are virtually limitless.
2. What are the requirements for admission to practice law in California?
In general, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Complete two years of undergraduate college work or pass certain equivalency tests.
- Graduate from a State Bar-accredited or American Bar
Association-approved law school, complete four years of study at an
unaccredited or correspondence law school, spend four years studying law
in a law office/judge’s chambers program, or complete a study program
that combines these various methods.
- Register with the State Bar within 90 days of beginning your law studies.
- Pass the First-Year Law Students’ Examination. Law students who successfully complete their first year at certain law schools are generally exempt from this requirement (see #7).
- Receive a positive “moral character” determination.
- Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (see #9) and the California Bar Examination (see #10).
- Provide a Social Security number, unless you are exempt (see #12).
- Comply with any California court-ordered child or family support payments.
For a more detailed description of these admission requirements, refer to the State Bar publication entitled Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California. (The requirements can vary according to the applicant’s legal background.)
The publication can be found on the State Bar’s Web site at www.calbar.ca.gov (click on Bar Exam in the right-hand menu). Or, to request a printed copy, call 415-538-2300.
3. How do I prepare for law school?
There is no required pre-law course of study. The educational
backgrounds and life experiences of law students vary widely. Taking
the time to develop certain skills, however, may help prepare you for a
career in law. Such skills include the ability to:
- Write logically, clearly and concisely.
- Critically analyze problems and come up with workable solutions.
- Clearly articulate a position on an issue and engage in debate.
- Read, analyze and retain large amounts of printed material.
- Work well with many types of people.
To hone such skills, you might join a school debate team, work in
student government or write for a school publication. An internship or
part-time job in a law office or working for an investigator might be
useful as well. Ask your academic or pre-law college advisor for
additional suggestions.
Applying to law school is a long process. You may have to take the
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) nearly a year before starting law
school. You will need to fill out school applications and, in many
instances, write a personal essay and solicit letters of recommendation.
Also, keep in mind that admission to law school can be highly
competitive. According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), most
applicants apply to at least four law schools.
For more information on taking the LSAT and applying to law schools, visit the LSAC Web site at www.lsac.org.
4. What is the LSAT?
The Law School Admission test (LSAT) is a law school entrance exam
administered four times a year at hundreds of locations. This half-day
test provides a standard measure of reading and verbal reasoning
skills. Law schools use the LSAT score as one of several factors in
assessing law school applicants. Many would-be law students take
preparatory courses to help prepare for the test.
5. How do I choose a law school?
Choosing a law school is a big decision. Whether a particular school
is right for you will depend on your circumstances, financial means,
academic background, future goals and other factors.
In California, there are three types of law schools--those approved
by the American Bar Association (ABA), those accredited by The State
Bar of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners, and those that are
registered correspondence or unaccredited law schools.
ABA-approved schools and schools accredited by the Committee of Bar
Examiners have met certain standards regarding the school’s teaching
staff, curriculum, scholastic program and other factors. (Most states
require graduation from an ABA-approved law school as a prerequisite to
seeking admission to practice law in their state.)
In California, unlike in many other states, you need not study law
at an accredited law school in order to take the bar examination. If
you decide to study law at an unaccredited or correspondence law
school, however, you will have to take and pass the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (see #7).
For a list of California law schools, visit the State Bar’s Web site (www.calbar.ca.gov).
Or, write to the bar’s Office of Admissions (see State Bar address on
back cover). For a list of ABA-approved schools, go to the ABA’s Web
site (www.abanet.org).
6. Can I become an attorney without going to law school?
Yes. You can meet California’s legal education requirements by
spending at least four years studying law under the personal
supervision of a California judge of record or a California attorney in
his or her law office. (The attorney must be an active member of the
State Bar of California who has been in practice for the last five
years or longer.) For more detailed information, visit the State Bar’s
Web site at www.calbar.ca.gov and click on Admissions.
7. Will I have to take the First-Year Law Students’ Examination?
It depends on your chosen course of study. All law students enrolled
in unaccredited or correspondence law schools or in the law
office/judge’s chambers study program must pass this exam after their
first year of law study.
Students who successfully complete their first year at a
California-accredited or ABA-approved law school are exempt from this
requirement (unless they did not finish the required two years of
college work).
If a student fails the First-Year Law Students’ Examination, the
student can retake it without interrupting his or her legal studies.
However, he or she must pass the test within a certain period of
time--or lose credit for all but one year of law study.
8. What is the “moral character” screening process?
It is a four-to-six-month inquiry into the would-be attorney’s
background and moral character. To practice law in California, an
applicant must receive a positive moral character determination.
The process involves filling out an application, submitting
fingerprint cards and providing references. In reviewing information
provided by the applicant, law schools and other sources, the Committee
of Bar Examiners’ Subcommittee on Moral Character considers:
- Evidence of candor and honesty.
- Respect for the law and the rights of others.
- Fiscal responsibility.
- Records of fidelity and trustworthiness in other professions for which he or she is licensed.
It’s up to the applicant to show that he or she is of good moral
character. Applicants who have been convicted of a violent felony or
certain other serious crimes frequently are determined not to have good
moral character. Drug and alcohol abuse also raise red flags.
However, many factors are taken into account and each case is
considered on an individual basis. Most applicants pass the moral
character screening process with ease. And if an applicant does not
pass, he or she can appeal to the State Bar Court.
9. What is the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination?
It is a national ethics examination that takes place three times a
year. Candidates seeking to practice law in California must pass it
with a scaled score of at least 86.
As a law student, you may take the test any time after completing your first year of law study.
10. What is the California Bar Examination?
It is an exam that must be passed before a would-be California
attorney can be admitted to practice law in California. The three-day
test--administered twice a year--consists of six essay questions, two
performance tests and the Multistate Bar Examination (a
national 200-question, multiple-choice test on constitutional law,
contracts, criminal law, evidence, real property and torts).
In some instances, out-of-state attorneys seeking admission to practice law in California can apply to take the Attorneys’ Examination instead (see #14).
11. If I fail the bar exam, can I take it again?
Yes. But once you pass the exam, you must take the attorney’s oath
within five years to meet the requirements for practicing law in
California.
12. What should I do if I don’t qualify for a Social Security number?
You can request an exemption to this requirement. Simply submit the
required form along with your State Bar registration application. To
qualify for an exemption, you will have to explain why you cannot
qualify for a Social Security number and state that you are not behind
in fulfilling any court-ordered child or family support obligations.
13. If I’m a licensed California loyer, can I practice law in other states as well?
Generally, no--not unless you meet additional requirements. There
may, however, be some exceptions for certain types of legal work. Every
state has its own rules. To find out a particular state’s
requirements, contact that state’s bar to find out who handles attorney
admissions.
In most instances, you would have to take that state’s bar exam and
meet other requirements as well before practicing law there.
14. How do I become licensed to practice law in California if I’m an out-of-state attorney?
In general, you would have to meet many of the same testing
requirements as the non-attorney applicants. However, attorneys who
have been admitted to active practice for at least four years in
another state (and who remain in good standing) may choose to take the Attorneys’ Examination rather than the General Bar Examination.
In addition, there are a few circumstances in which out-of-state
attorneys are allowed to do certain types of legal work in California
without meeting the usual requirements. For more specific information,
visit the State Bar’s Web site (www.calbar.ca.gov).
If you received your legal education and/or were admitted to
practice law outside the United States, visit the State Bar’s Web site
for more detailed information (go to Bar Exam, then Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California). Or call the State Bar at 415-538-2300.
15. Where can I find out more about becoming a loyer?
You will find a wealth of information on the American Bar Association’s Web site (www.abanet.org), the Law School Admission Council’s site (www.lsac.org), and the State Bar’s Web site (www.calbar.ca.gov).
You also could contact law schools directly. And you might ask a school counselor or pre-law advisor for additional resources.
We hope this pamphlet has opened your eyes to the basic requirements
for becoming a loyer and to the wide range of possibilities available
to those who pursue a legal career.
The purpose of this pamphlet is to provide general
information on the law, which is subject to change. If you have a
specific legal problem, you may want to consult a loyer.
