How to become a business lawyer in the US? please read at first?
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at
1:16 am
dontworryaboutit asked:
I am in high school now. (junior) I have left 2 more years so
1. What classes should I take?
2. In college what should I major in?
3. Do I need to know math very well?
4. What does the business lawyer do, specifically?
I am in high school now. (junior) I have left 2 more years so
1. What classes should I take?
2. In college what should I major in?
3. Do I need to know math very well?
4. What does the business lawyer do, specifically?
Tagged with: Business Lawyer • Math
Filed under: Attorney FAQ
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You should do good in Social Studies class in High School. In college you want to go to law school. Your major is law and your prepared to pass the Bar exam to be a lawyer. As for math you don’t need the complex math equations, but problem solving is good practice. Lawyers need more writing and reading skills such as essay writing etc. Many business lawyer counsel on forming and running a Corporation. This may include antitrust, mergers, acquisition, and contracts to name a few.
A strong business background will not hurt at all, including college courses in marketing and accounting. Law generally requires very good reading, writing, research, and reasoning skills. English, History, Philosophy (logic, argumentation) all apply. Many lawyers major in Political Science in undergraduate school, especially if they have political ambitions. However, no specific major is required. Some law schools offer dual-degree programs, where you end up with a law degree and an MBA (masters in business administration). That is a powerful combination. I am not aware that accounting requires anything more than basic math and algebra. Statistics, though, can involve calculus and differential equations. Being on a debate team may be good experience in High School. Good luck!
Ignore the first answer..
1. go to college..pick a major wherein you write a lot. It is super important.
2. take the LSAT the summer before your senior year
3. Apply to law school in dec of your senior year.
4. Go to law school.
Simple plan..
You can graduate from foreign colleges and attend law school in the US. However, college is a prerequisite for US based law schools. That means finishing high school, attending a 4 year institution, then applying to law school. You will have to take the LSAT after graduating college, as these test scores are needed for your application process to law school (you can google to find some old tests – but don’t let them freak you out, as there are programs that help you learn how to take the LSAT). You don’t need to be an attorney in your home country before applying to law schools in the US, but it can help if you want to attend a better law school. After graduating law school you will take the bar exam in the state you want to practice in.
Your major in college doesn’t really matter. However, there are statistics on what percentages of undergrad majors get into law schools. You will find economics and political science at the top of the heap. I know just a couple of engineers, and no mathematicians. However, I know one music major and a few medical/biology majors. Law schools like diversity, so, again, your undergrad major doesn’t really matter.
Law schools don’t require that you specialize in any particular type of law. The first year classes are the same for law students across the country, with just a little deviation. You take contracts, torts, property law, and criminal law your first year. Then you can pick classes your 2nd and 3rd years. Some schools offer specializations, like in litigation or family law.
Business law (also referred to as corporate law) deals with helping businesses deal with business related problems. It can be drafting contracts, employment agreements, to assisting in real estate transactions, to defending or prosecuting a lawsuit. Law students who want to do this type of work at the best firms usually have skills that make them desirable (multilingual plus good grades), or are from a top ranked law school. Relax a little at this point, as you don’t need to decide what type of law you will practice for a few years!
I recommend one thing to become proficient in over the next few years: language and communication skills. The law is all about being able to communicate well and being able to convey thoughts and ideas.