{"id":5439,"date":"2025-06-29T10:43:44","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T18:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mcclatchymhstg.wpenginepowered.com\/sabe-careers-education\/?p=5439"},"modified":"2026-06-19T06:33:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:33:45","slug":"become-a-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/become-a-lawyer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Lawyer: Step-by-Step Career Guide"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thinking about becoming a lawyer? I get it. That six-figure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roberthalf.com\/us\/en\/insights\/salary-guide\/legal\">salary<\/a> is pretty tempting. Whether you&#8217;re dreaming of arguing big constitutional law cases or helping clients through tough situations, you\u2019re stepping into a legal profession that\u2019s challenging, rewarding, and full of possibilities.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But where do you even start? And how long does it actually take?<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide walks you through every major step\u2014from college all the way to passing the bar exam\u2014with zero fluff and real talk on what it takes to get there.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>Law School Isn\u2019t Step One:<\/strong> The journey starts with a bachelor\u2019s degree, not law school. You need that before you can even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/when-do-you-take-the-lsat\/\">take the LSAT.<\/a><\/li> <li><strong>The LSAT Is a Gatekeeper:<\/strong> A strong Law School Admission Test score can make or break your law school options\u2014prep like it matters, because it does.<\/li> <li><strong>Not All Law Is Courtroom Drama:<\/strong> Whether you\u2019re into legal research, contracts, or policy work, there\u2019s more to law than suits and trials.<\/li> <li><strong>Bar Exam = Final Boss:<\/strong> Passing the bar exam is the biggest hurdle to getting your law license\u2014but totally doable with the right prep.<\/li> <li><strong>Legal Careers Are Flexible:<\/strong> A law degree doesn\u2019t lock you into one path. You can work in law offices, startups, government, and beyond.<\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/image-4-819x1024.png\" alt=\"attorney career guide\" class=\"wp-image-5440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/image-4-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/image-4-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/image-4-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/image-4-120x150.png 120w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/image-4.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-1-earn-a-bachelor-s-degree\"><strong>Step 1: Earn a Bachelor&#8217;s Degree<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you even touch a law book, you need a bachelor&#8217;s degree. It doesn\u2019t have to be in political science or pre-law (though those can help). Many successful lawyers studied everything from history to engineering.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What matters most is that you build critical thinking, writing, and research skills\u2014because trust me, you\u2019ll use them daily in legal practice.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-2-take-the-law-school-admission-test\"><strong>Step 2: Take the Law School Admission Test<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Law School Admission Test is your next big milestone. It\u2019s a standardized test that most law schools use to evaluate applicants. The LSAT is all about reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll register through the Law School Admission Council, which also handles a big chunk of the law school application process.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Prep seriously. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/good-lsat-score\/\">solid LSAT score<\/a> can open the door to most law schools, especially law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanbar.org\/\">ABA<\/a>). Plus, the scholarship potential is worth a serious investment of your time and money. The right prep course is <em>invaluable<\/em>.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-3-apply-to-law-school\"><strong>Step 3: Apply to Law School<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/how-lsat-scoring-works\/\">LSAT score is in<\/a>, it\u2019s time to apply.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applications typically include your transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and your resume. This is where you show schools not just what you\u2019ve done\u2014but why you care about joining the legal profession.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also a good time to research what kind of legal work excites you. Whether it&#8217;s property law, legal ethics, or working in law offices helping people with everyday issues, there\u2019s a niche for you.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-4-earn-your-juris-doctor-status\"><strong>Step 4: Earn Your Juris Doctor Status<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Law students, brace yourselves\u2014this is where things get real.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earning a law degree usually takes three years. You\u2019ll take courses in things like constitutional law, contracts, legal research, and legal documents. You\u2019ll also start thinking about the bar exam, because (spoiler alert) you\u2019ll need to pass it to actually practice law.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You might also intern at law firms, courts, or public interest groups. These experiences give you a taste of real legal services and help you figure out what kind of work feels right.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-5-pass-the-bar-exam\"><strong>Step 5: Pass the Bar Exam<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welcome to the boss level.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get your law license, you\u2019ll need to pass the bar exam in the state where you want to practice law. The exam is intense. It tests everything from legal ethics to detailed issues in criminal, property, and constitutional law.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each state runs its own version, but many use the Uniform Bar Exam, which makes your score transferable to other UBE states.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll also likely need to pass a character and fitness check, proving you\u2019re trustworthy enough to join the world of legal professionals.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-6-get-sworn-in-and-practice-law\"><strong>Step 6: Get Sworn In and Practice Law<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you pass the bar and clear your background check, you\u2019re in!<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll take an oath, get sworn in, and officially become licensed to practice. From here, your legal career can go in a lot of directions. You might join a law firm, work in government, go solo, or explore nontraditional roles where a law degree is a huge asset.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-if-i-don-t-want-to-practice-in-a-traditional-setting\"><strong>What If I Don\u2019t Want to Practice in a Traditional Setting?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Totally fair question. Not everyone wants to work in big law firms or wear a suit every day.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lawyers work in law offices, nonprofits, corporate teams, startups, and even in media, policy, or education. Your legal education can open a lot of doors\u2014even outside traditional legal practice.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some grads focus on legal research, while others use their skills to advocate for causes, write legislation, or support small businesses with contracts and compliance. The JD can be more flexible than people realize.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becoming a lawyer isn\u2019t a quick path, but it\u2019s a meaningful one. You\u2019ll spend years building the skills, passing the tests, and learning how to use your voice to help others. But once you get there? You\u2019ll be part of a community of smart, driven people making a real impact.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take it one step at a time\u2014and remember, every lawyer started where you are right now.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1750921338742\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How long does it take to become a lawyer in the US?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It usually takes about 7 years: 4 years for a bachelor\u2019s degree and 3 years of law school, plus time to study and pass the bar exam.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1750921382465\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is becoming a lawyer hard?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, it takes dedication, long hours, and a lot of studying\u2014but with the right mindset and planning, it\u2019s totally achievable.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1750921387179\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How much do lawyers make an hour? A year?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">According to the Robert Half Salary Guide, even a first-year attorney can expect to make<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roberthalf.com\/us\/en\/insights\/salary-guide\/legal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> $97,000<\/a> annually. However, even 2 years in, you can easily hit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/how-much-do-lawyers-make\/\">six-figure salary mark as a lawyer<\/a>. Some even make millions. The average hourly rate is roughly<a href=\"https:\/\/law.usnews.com\/law-firms\/advice\/articles\/what-does-hiring-a-lawyer-cost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> $327<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1750921390969\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the difference between being a lawyer and an attorney?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A lawyer has a law degree. An attorney is a lawyer who has passed the bar and is licensed to practice law. All attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1750921395929\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the first step in becoming a lawyer?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Getting your bachelor\u2019s degree is the first big step. After that, it\u2019s LSAT time and then on to law school.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751224386394\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can you take the bar exam without attending law school?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, in a few states like California, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/can-you-take-the-bar-exam-without-law-school\/\">take the bar exam without law school<\/a> by completing a legal apprenticeship (often called \u201creading the law\u201d) under a practicing attorney or judge.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thinking about becoming a lawyer? I get it. That six-figure salary is pretty tempting. Whether you&#8217;re dreaming of arguing big constitutional law cases or helping clients through tough situations, you\u2019re stepping into a legal profession that\u2019s challenging, rewarding, and full of possibilities. But where do you even start? And how long does it actually take? [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5441,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,245],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-law"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":false,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/How-to-Become-a-Lawyer-feature-768x427.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Become a Lawyer: Step-by-Step Career Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Curious about becoming a lawyer? Here&#039;s a simple, step-by-step guide from college to bar exam to help you kick off your legal career with confidence.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/become-a-lawyer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Become a Lawyer: Step-by-Step Career Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Curious about becoming a lawyer? Here&#039;s a simple, step-by-step guide from college to bar exam to help you kick off your legal career with confidence.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/become-a-lawyer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sacramento Bee - Careers &amp; Education\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-29T18:43:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-19T14:33:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/How-to-Become-a-Lawyer-feature.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"889\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-lawyer\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-lawyer\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"\",\"@id\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"How to Become a Lawyer: Step-by-Step Career Guide\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-29T18:43:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-19T14:33:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-lawyer\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1152,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-lawyer\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/How-to-Become-a-Lawyer-feature.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Careers &amp; Education\",\"Law\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-lawyer\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-lawyer\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Become a Lawyer: Step-by-Step Career Guide\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-lawyer\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-lawyer\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/How-to-Become-a-Lawyer-feature.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-29T18:43:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-19T14:33:45+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"\"},\"description\":\"Curious about becoming a lawyer? 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