How To Become a Lawyer in the US: 6 Essential Steps

Thinking about a career in law? Becoming a lawyer in the U.S. requires dedication, education, and passing key exams. This guide breaks down the six essential steps to becoming a licensed attorney — from what to study in college, how to pick the right law school and how to get into law school,  to understanding the bar exam and state licensing requirements. This step-by-step overview lays out all 6 steps and offers nuanced tips to help you anticipate and plan for each one.

If you love the law and have a passion for learning more about it and building mastery in the field, it offers the prospect of an intellectually rich and stimulating college and career path, good compensation, and a wide variety of professional roles and work settings to choose from.

A crucial part of your journey is understanding where to start, how to prepare for getting into a good law school, and the steps after that required for obtaining a license to practice law, and thriving in a challenging profession.

To get started we’ll take a look at the career prospects that await aspiring lawyers and then tell you what's most essential about each of the 6 Steps for becoming a lawyer yourself!

Career Prospects

In the US, new job opportunities for lawyers are expected to increase about 5% over the next eight years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects, thanks to mobility across the profession and retirements.

In the US lawyers earn around $150,000 a year — but can earn much more over time, depending on areas of specialization, employment structures, and their qualifications.

Lawyers can work privately consulting or representing clients, but there are also many opportunities working for corporations, for corporate law firms, and for other organizations, including government roles or NGOs. This means you can target roles and work settings that match your personal interests and preferences.

In particular, demand for lawyers knowledgeable in technology law, corporate law, cybersecurity-related law, and intellectual property law is expanding, as technology evolves and business operations become more complex.

In essence, job growth is steady but not rapid, and while law practice can offer a rewarding compensation and diverse opportunities, some states have far fewer opportunities than others, and the profession is struggling to reflect the nation's true demographic diversity.

Job Satisfaction

A recent survey of law professionals found that 66% of respondents reported being "satisfied" or "very satisfied" overall when asked how they felt about compensation, opportunities for advancement, and collegiality, and a majority were happy with their current employer.

However, a significant number of respondents were experiencing a lot of job-related stress, including 38% citing chronic stress.

6 STEPS TO BECOMING A LAWYER

Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

Here are crucial components for obtaining a bachelor’s degree for aspiring lawyers:

• Select a college major that provides you rigorous training in skills you’ll rely on in law school and beyond.
• Align your extracurriculars with your law school aspirations and the kinds of foundational skills and knowledge we’ll explore below.
• Maintain an outstanding GPA.

Picking a Well-Aligned Major

If you’re planning to attend law school, you don’t genuinely have highly prescriptive prerequisites to fulfill in the way you would if you were headed into engineering, or preparing to study medicine, or quantitative economics.

But, building strong foundations is crucial for getting through the challenges ahead.

During this step, it’s crucial to hone your skills in verbal reasoning and analysis and build broad theoretical understanding in areas such as law, ethics, politics, and social and criminal justice.

Educators at Harvard encourage pre-law students to pursue the courses and majors that are most appealing and intellectually engaging. That said, you do need to pursue subjects that challenge you to develop broad foundations in social theory and in reading and evidence-based argumentative writing.

Pre-law majors that Harvard educators recommend for students planning to apply to law school:

• History
• Political science
• Psychology
• Criminal justice
• English
• Public Finance
• Philosophy

These choices give you **freedom to **follow your passions. The downside might be that, as Harvard points out, “there is no surefire undergraduate major, activity, or background that will guarantee you admission to law school.”

Undergraduate GPA & Extracurriculars

As an undergraduate you want to be thinking ahead to Step 2 — positioning yourself to be a strong candidate at top law schools. Therefore, it’s important as a pre-law undergraduate to:

Maintain a strong GPA and earn top grades in courses with theoretical depth and academic rigor. This way you’ll have a strong academic track record to point to when applying to law school.

Thinking strategically about your university extracurriculars will also be important.

Good forward-looking extracurriculars for your path to law school and beyond will be ones that help you:

• Flex your writing, research, and reasoning skills
• Hone relational and leadership skills
• Build a record of ethical integrity and reliability

There are lots of options to consider, such as:

• Activities related to journalism and communications
• Nonprofit advocacy or governance activities
• Law office or law clinic internships or other public-service legal work
• Research assistant roles — in fields such as history, sociology, political science, ethics, economics, journalism, business law, or criminal/social justice.

These are all ways to build a profile and a portfolio of accomplishments that will be of interest to law professors and law school admissions officers.

Step 2: Take the LSAT

Similar to the SAT and ACT for college admissions, the LSAT is a prominent indicator among others of applicants’ intellectual and academic readiness for law school.

However, longstanding LSAT requirements are in flux due in part to efforts to make law pathways more accessible to students from more backgrounds.

This means more and more schools are LSAT-optional for admissions now, including some very prominent law schools. In most cases LSAT-optional means the option to take the GRE (Graduate Records Exam) — a more general scholastic aptitude test — instead of the LSAT.

LSAT Structure

The LSAT is administered in two parts: Multiple Choice and Writing Sample.

Multiple Choice Portion

• Online and in-person formats
• Takes 2 hours and 20 minutes (four 35-minute sections)

In August 2024, the multiple choice portion was updated to consist of two core components:

• Logical Reasoning questions that assess your ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and complete arguments
• Reading Comprehension questions that measure your ability to read and understand examples of long-form, complex materials that are similar to those that you’ll encounter in law school

The emphasis on logical reasoning in the LSAT can make the test challenging. Reviewing LSAT question types and leaving time for practice tests are good strategies as you approach Step 2.

Argumentative Writing Portion

• Online only
• Takes 50 minutes (15 minutes for prewriting analysis + 35 minutes for essay writing)

In 2024, the “LSAT Writing Task” was replaced with the “LSAT Argumentative Writing” with the intention of making the writing portion less prescriptive and less narrowly focused on pure logical reasoning.

• The LSAT Argumentative Writing prompt presents a decision problem, and you will be asked to choose between two positions or courses of action and defend your choice.
• There are no “right” or “wrong” positions. Instead, the writing sample is designed to let you demonstrate your persuasive writing skills.
• The new format allows test-takers more discretion in their reasoning and more latitude in how they defend their arguments.

LSAT Scoring

The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 to 180. The average LSAT score is around 152, but scoring higher will make you more competitive.

Importance in Law School Admissions

• In the fall of 2025 the ABA (American bar Association) moved to drop the LSAT test requirement as a criterion for law school accreditation, which could impact or decrease the importance of the LSAT for law school admissions.
• Be sure to check LSAT requirements and watch for test-policy updates or changes at your target law schools.
• Keep in mind that scholastic scores on your LSAT or GRE are important for admissions but are evaluated in the context of other academic indicators and a holistic approach to admissions.

LSAT: Key Takeaways

LSAT-Optional Admissions: Many top law schools like Harvard, Georgetown, Northwestern, Columbia, UCLA, and more are now LSAT-optional, often meaning you can take the GRE instead, though policies can vary from school to school.

A Shifting LSAT Landscape: With new ABA guidance, the LSAT landscape will likely be undergoing changes, so aspiring lawyers should monitor admissions policies at their target schools.

LSAT and Holistic Admissions: While the LSAT (or GRE) score can be a significant admissions component, most law schools use a holistic approach, evaluating applicants’ overall academic performance and their relevant soft skills.

LSAT Reporting Strategy: A strong LSAT score, even if optional, could provide additional support for your application — especially as a way to offset a weakness in another academic indicator, and may be required for certain scholarships.

Unscored But Important Writing Sample: Although unscored, the Argumentative Writing portion of the test helps law schools assess crucial evidence-based and persuasive writing skills.

Improving Your Scoring Potential: The LSAT can be challenging; familiarize yourself with test formats and look for strategies that can help you prepare more effectively.

You can also reach out to Crimson Education law school advisors to learn about LSAT tutoring services, and more.

Step 3: Attend Law School (JD Program)

Earning your JD degree (Juris Doctor) is the key academic requirement for practicing law. It’s a terminal degree, meaning there aren't higher law degrees, and takes about three years.

An exciting part of Step 3 is selecting the law schools you want to apply to.

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting schools:

• Accessibility: Consider factors such as location, cost, and acceptance rates do determine which schools are accessible, as well as desirable.
• Accreditation and Licensing Requirements: Most state licensing boards require you to have a JD from an accredited, ABA-approved law school. Understand your state’s licensing requirements and verify the accreditation status of your prospective law schools. For more information, consult ABA’s list of ABA-Approved Law Schools.
• Academic Specializations: Be sure your prospective schools have academic programming and well qualified faculty to support the areas of law you want to specialize in.
• School Reputation: Going to a school with a reputation for academic rigor and excellence can translate into your being better prepared academically for your next steps, including passing the bar exam and job recruitment. Check US News law school rankings and ask qualified professionals in the field about which schools have the best reputations.
• Outcomes for Graduates: Research professional outcomes for graduates, like graduation rates, the pass-rate graduates have on the bar exam, or employability and salary stats for graduates.

The JD Curriculum

Year 1

Students typically take a series of mandatory core courses in foundational topics:

• Torts
• Contract Law
• Legal Procedures
• Legal Research & Writing
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law
• Moot Court

In addition to foundational legal topics and concepts, first-year law students also learn important critical thinking skills and how to “think like lawyers do.”

Year 2

This is primetime in law school for pursuing courses emphasizing your chosen area of specialization. So earlier, in Year 1 if not before, you'll want to decide which area of concentration you want to pursue.

Common areas for law practice and specialization include:

• Criminal law
• Civil Rights law
• Corporate law
• Environmental law
• Education law
• Family law
• Intellectual Property law
• Personal Injury law
• Property/Real Estate law
• Tax law

In year two you'll also develop arbitration skills, learn how to marshal courtroom evidence, try your hand at more advanced legal research and client interviewing, and maybe get involved with scholarly writing and peer review processes for a legal journal.

Year 3

Year three is likely to involve a mix of further specialization, studying for the bar exam, and more practical career preparation, including:

• More advanced courses and topics
• Internships at outside agencies, like law firms, government offices, and public interest organizations
• Preparing for the bar exam
• Job searching

Step 4: Pass the Bar Exam

The bar exam is the standard licensing exam for lawyers. The National Conference of bar examiners (NCBE) coordinates these exams, but they are administered by the licensing boards in each state.

Bar exam requirements will vary based on the state (or other local jurisdiction) administering the exam.

Format, Difficulty, Retakes

Bar examinations often consist of substantial multiple-choice sections and substantial essay writing tasks, and the exam typically takes two days to complete.

The bar exam is considered very challenging and has a high failure rate, so it’s not uncommon for a candidate to need two or more attempts in order to pass the exam.

Policies about retakes vary by state or jurisdiction, with some states limiting the number of retakes allowed, so check with your state or local licensing board for specifics.

Understanding the Different Types of Bar Exams

• Multistate bar examination (MBE): All states, except California and Louisiana use the Multistate bar examination along with a state-specific written test. The MBE is a standardized, 200-item multiple choice exam made up of two 3-hour sessions, administered over one day. Subjects covered include: civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law and procedure, evidence, and property law.
• Multistate Essay examination (MEE): A growing number of states, all but six, now administer a national writing portion (the MEE), consisting of six 30-minute essay questions.
• Multistate Performance Task (MPT): The MPT tests your ability to use fundamental lawyering skills to complete a realistic task, one that the NCBE says “a beginning lawyer should be able to accomplish.” Almost all states include the MPT, except California, Nevada, and Virgina.
• Uniform bar exam (UBE): The UBE (coordinated by the NCBE) is composed of the MBE, the MEE, and two MPT tasks and is widely administered by US states, except for California, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, and a few additional states.

Step 5: Licensing & Practical Work Experience

Once you get past Step 4, passing the bar exam, there really is a lot to celebrate in terms of your progress on the road to becoming a lawyer.

But, as with most highly specialized fields of professional service, there are licensing steps and supervised learning experiences that are part of your journey to success.

Licensing

You need to be licensed in your state to practice law. The process for getting your license issues will vary by state. It will often involve ethics-related reviews, sometimes called "fitness" or "moral fitness" reviews. The MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam), an ethics exam, may also be required.

Once the process is completed, your newly issued law license will be like your passport to practice law in the state where you’re licensed!

If you want to practice law in a different state, however, you will have additional hurdles ahead, which may be purely administrative, or may require some additional coursework or exams depending on each state's policies.

Gaining Practical Experience

Given the demands and complexities of law practice, accessing high-quality clerkships, apprenticeships, or internships can be a valuable next step, and for some individuals it may prove an essential one, for advancing their career as lawyers.

The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) identified some 147 foundations that new lawyers need in order to succeed — foundations that reflect traits such as:

• Communication skills
• Work ethic and workload management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Crisis management
• Professional development plans
• Nuanced skills in legal thinking and strategy

And more…

This means as a newly licensed lawyer you'll still have some important professional learning to do when it comes to on-the-job skills!

Step 6: Begin Law Practice

When you fully step into professional practice there are many roles, many areas of practice, and many different kinds of work settings or sectors, you can attach yourself to.

Work Settings: 

• Small and large private law firms
• Businesses and corporations
• Government/Regulatory agencies
• National and international nonprofit organizations and NGOs
• Your own private practice

Specialized Roles:

Litigator – Represents clients in court proceedings, handling trials, motions, and hearings in civil or criminal cases.

Legal Researcher – Conducts in-depth research on legal precedents, statutes, and case law to support litigation or advisory work.

Transactional Lawyer – Drafts and negotiates contracts, agreements, and other legal documents for business deals, mergers, and financial transactions.

Regulatory Compliance Attorney – Ensures that businesses and individuals adhere to industry-specific legal and regulatory requirements.

In-House Counsel – Provides legal guidance within a corporation or organization, handling contracts, compliance, risk management, and internal legal matters.

Policy Advisor or Legislative Counsel – Works with government agencies, nonprofits, or corporations to shape legal policies, draft legislation, or provide regulatory guidance.

Mediators and Arbitrators – Facilitates dispute resolution outside of court through mediation or arbitration, helping parties reach settlements.

Public Interest or Advocacy Lawyer – Works for nonprofits, NGOs, or government bodies to advance legal reforms, protect civil rights, and advocate for underserved populations.

Alternative Pathways

1. Online JD Programs/Distance Education

If you live far from any law school and relocating is not an option, that can be a tough spot. For this reason, the ABA allows ABA-approved law schools to grant a student the option to complete up to 50 percent of required credit hours for the JD degree through distance education courses.

Some ABA-approved schools with distance learning waivers offer more robust distance education programming and flexibility. However, monitor your state’s bar exam requirements and licensing provisions — a distance education pathway may limit your eligibility to sit for the bar exam in some states. 

At some schools, online programs may take longer to complete compared to traditional in-person JD programs.

2. Law Apprenticeship Programs

In almost all states, you’re not eligible to proceed to Step 4 — taking the bar exam — until you’ve completed Step 3 — going to law school and obtaining your JD degree.

However, four states also offer structured apprenticeship programs as an alternative path to qualifying you to take the bar exam. This is quite a novel approach with a variety of potential pros and cons…

Remember, apprenticeship options can be an alternative to law school, as a path to taking the bar exam, but they are not a substitute for the requirement to pass the bar exam!

3. LLM Degrees for International Students

A streamlined pathway for studying law in the US for international students who already have law degrees from outside the US is the LLM (masters in law) degree track. 

Some popular features of the LLM degree pathway include:

• Short duration (1–2 years)
• Flexible curriculum focus (such as preparing for a US state bar exam vs. studying comparative law)
• Typically costs less than a full-fledged, three-year JD degree program
• Opportunities to gain exposure to US legal education and US law
• Can qualify you in some states to sit for the bar exam

Final Thoughts

We can’t spare you the work it requires to become a lawyer, but hopefully we’ve decoded the 6 Essential Steps, giving you a clear map for what lies ahead. If you're passionate, committed, and ambitious, you should find both the challenges and rewards of becoming a lawyer stimulating and rewarding.

If you’re looking for a leg up in making a strong transition to a top law school, get connected with Crimson’s LSAT prep support and our transformative law school admissions advisory services. We have advisors with impressive law school accomplishments ready to learn about your law school dreams and help you succeed beyond your expectations!