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In the United States becoming a professional attorney usually involves being admitted
to a State Bar Association. The American Bar Association sets national standards
for the states. First you'll need a bachelor degree and then you'll
need to attend a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association.
The degree sought by law students is the Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD).
A law degree is required in most states along with passing the Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT), which is required
by all American Bar Association-accredited law schools. This is a
half day test that you usually are only allowed to take up to three times in a two year period.
More information can be found about it at The Law School Admissions Council website (lsac.org).
You need to plan on taking this test the December before your fall enrollment.
Another important test is the
Responsibility Examination (MPRE) administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
You will also need continued
education. The bar exam in most states is two days long.
Requirements for bar admission vary from state to state. In most states the legal profession
is regulated by the State Bar Association or a judicial agency. In Texas, lawyers are overseen by
the State Board of Law Examiners. Some states have criminal penalties for unathorized law practice.
