Once you have completed your law degree, you will usually be asked for some experience of working on cases before you land a well-paying job. It sounds like a dilemma, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, quite a few students are dragged through the rut until they have a significant number of cases under their belt to qualify them as an experienced lawyer. However, there is an easier approach you can take, one that requires you to start practicing law even before you’ve gotten your law degree.
Although it is no easy task to study law and do well in it, if you want to be a successful lawyer, you will have to step out of your comfort zone and look for opportunities that will help you grow as a future lawyer. A law degree is much more than a few hastily written law essays. You have to know the ins and outs of the courtroom and how the law is utilized in the practical world. In fact, legal education provides a huge number of career opportunities. You can not only work as a lawyer, but also take part in the political life of the country or write law essays in law writing service to enhance the education of the nation. However, there is no easy way to become a great practical lawyer. Which is something you should work on while you’re studying to get your law degree?
How To Become A Lawyer
Both require a crucial set of exams and mandatory work hours before you are finally given the official status of a Barrister or Solicitor.A law degree is different for different countries. However, most countries, except the US and Canada, accept an LLB degree. Although an LLB degree usually means you’re a qualified lawyer in most countries, it does not necessarily mean that you’re fit to conduct a trial or practice. For that, you need more practice and experience. Your path as a lawyer may diverge at this point as you choose between becoming a Solicitor or a Barrister.
The United States has a slightly different and longer system for becoming a lawyer. You first have to earn a bachelor’s degree in any subject of your choice, before you are allowed to give the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). You then study law at your institute and obtain a Juris Doctor (JD). You can then sit for your state Bar exam, following which you can officially practice as a Lawyer.
What Can You Do With A Law Degree?
Although most people who take up law usually do so with the intention of becoming either a judge, lawyer, or public system prosecutor or for working at a private law firm, there are a few other career choices you can opt for as well.
- Police – you can work at the legal office or investigate criminal cases if you’ve studied criminal law
- Civil service – you also have the option of working as a clerk or legal advisor in the various legal departments of the institutions of the state.
- Journalism – Having a thorough knowledge of the law would give you an excellent and unique perspective on the general state of things of the country and its statesmen.
- Banking – You can be sure to find a job at a bank if you have studied finance law.
- Legal counseling and Mediation – Mediation is a special art that most lawyers must develop. However, if your mediation and conflict resolution skills are quite strong, then you can easily become a mediator who settles public, business, and private conflicts even before they are taken to court.
- Environmental Protection – if you’re passionate about the environment, you can study environmental law and become a fully certified environmental lawyer.
- Legislative representation – If you’re active in politics, you can always act as a legislative representative for a political party.
- College professors – you can do this on the side even if you are practicing law. Most lawyers are law school professors as well.
How To Start Practicing Law Before You Get Your Law Degree
Most law schools encourage students and even provide excellent platforms for students to find work that they can do before getting a law degree. If your law school has such a platform, then it is imperative for you to be enrolled in it and always be on the lookout for new opportunities. Other ways you can start practicing law before getting a law degree is through:As mentioned before, it is important for students to start looking towards gaining experience and practicing law even before they’ve graduated. Although doing so is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Not all students will be presented with the opportunity to start practicing law early; however, they must strive to look for such opportunities themselves. Any and all levels of practical work must be welcomed by students so that they can build their repertoire as an experienced lawyer once they graduate.
- Doing Pro Bono work: Although you may not be able to legally represent your clients in court just yet, you can always offer free legal counsel.
- Volunteer modules: most universities recognize the importance of working practically before graduation. Which is why they often have numerous volunteer opportunities that you can utilize to brush up on your skills.
- Informal work experience: you can gain valuable insights by simply interning at a well-recognized law firm. This will also increase your chances of landing a job at the same firm.
- Legal clinics: These are specialized law school programs that help students attain work experience by working with a well-established lawyer to provide legal services to clients.
- Court Marshal: you can sit with a well-known judge for a few days to gain valuable insights into cases and witness cases first hand. This will also give you unique courtroom experience.
Conclusion
Getting a law degree is not the only difficult part of becoming a lawyer. You have to make a name for yourself and gain adequate work experience even before you’ve graduated. To understand what it really takes to be a lawyer and how you can make the most of your law degree, you can start practicing law while you’re still studying. This will definitely help set you up for success.
