A minimum of seven years of post-high school study is usually required to become a corporate lawyer, which is a lawyer who advises businesses. An aspiring corporate lawyer — or corporate attorney, as those who practice this type of law are known — typically needs to complete a four-year degree before enrolling in three years of law school. After graduating from law school, you must pass a licensing exam in order to be admitted to the bar and practice as a corporate lawyer. The bar exam is the name of the licensing exam.
You can begin studying to become a corporate lawyer even before you start college. Being a lawyer necessitates a great deal of writing. If you’re still in high school, taking classes to improve your persuasive, explanatory, and other writing skills will be beneficial. Being a strong writer will benefit you not only in your future career as a lawyer, but also in completing essay exams in college and law school. Critical thinking courses, such as philosophy, political science, ethics, and psychology, can also help you achieve your goal of becoming a corporate lawyer.
If you want to go to law school, you don’t need to complete a specific four-year degree program. Many people who want to go to law school study English, political science, government, and other subjects. More important than the specific major is a well-rounded, multi-disciplinary program that develops communication, research, analytical, and logical thinking skills. The term “pre-law” does not refer to a specific college major; rather, it refers to the courses you’ll take as part of a four-year degree program to help you develop the skills you’ll need to become a lawyer. A college guidance counselor can assist you in selecting the most appropriate courses and programs for your objectives.
Law schools may consider your college grades, performance on application exams and personal interviews, and previous work experience when deciding whether or not to admit you. Depending on the school, different factors are weighted differently. Consider law schools that specialize in corporate law when you’re looking for a school to help you become a corporate lawyer.
During your first years of law school, you will be required to take certain core courses. You can concentrate your studies in corporate law in later years. If you want to be a corporate lawyer, working on the school’s corporate legal journal and participating in legal clinics will be beneficial. While in law school, you can also look for part-time or summer clerkships in corporate legal departments.
To practice corporate law, you must pass the bar exam after graduating from law school. The bar exam varies depending on where you live. Passing the bar exam in the United States entitles you to practice law in the state in which you take it. If you want to practice law in another state, you’ll almost certainly have to take its bar exam. You may also be required to pass an ethics exam in some states.