Lawyers Near Me
What Is a Lawyer?
A lawyer is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in the courtroom.
What Are a Lawyer's Duties?
A lawyer has two core functions:
1. To uphold the law and protect the client's rights at the same time
2. To understand the law and be an effective communicator
Legal Requirements to Be a Lawyer
Lawyers must go through law school. Every state has standards that must be met before a person can be licensed to practice law.
Before being able to practice law in most states, a student must pass a fitness and character review. To be considered for a law license, you must be approved by a committee that investigates background and character.
Lawyers must also:
- Have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent
- Complete three or more years at an American Bar Association-accredited law school
- Pass a state bar test, which can last as long as two or three days; these exams test knowledge in the selected area of law.
- Take an oath to support the laws and the state and federal constitutions
- Receive a final license from the highest court in the state (state Supreme Court)