A wide range of skills and knowledge are required to succeed as a legal advisor in this potentially lucrative career. Any legal expert in the United States, for example, must complete law school, which requires at least a bachelor’s degree and a passing score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Students who earn a juris doctor degree (J.D.) have the option of continuing their education, working as an intern or law clerk, or pursuing additional training, such as an apprenticeship. Before applying for a job at a law firm, a private corporation, or a government agency that hires or seeks the advice of legal advisors, prospective legal advisors must first become licensed and certified.
Preparation for a career as a legal advisor begins even before attending law school. If you want to work as a legal advisor, you should have strong reading, writing, decision-making, and persuasive skills. Before going to law school, one should study English, public speaking, economics, and even mathematics in college. Computer science, history, and foreign languages can also assist a student in becoming a legal advisor by providing them with the necessary skills to pursue and advance their career. Debate teams and participation in school government help lawyers develop the interpersonal skills they need to succeed.
To get into law school, you don’t need to take any specific courses. To become a legal advisor, an applicant must first pass an entrance exam before applying to law school. However, applicants who have completed some college courses over a two-year period can usually qualify by taking a separate exam. Graduates must then pass a regulatory exam before moving on to licensure, after which they can look for apprenticeships and internships to gain experience in a professional setting. Additional certifications and licensing may be required, depending on the region in which one wishes to practice.
Finding a job after completing the required education and credentialing, which can take up to seven years, is the next step in becoming a legal advisor. Recruiters and networking strategies through the job seeker’s social and professional network, as well as online directories and legal magazines, provide a way to look for work. Legal advisors can work as attorneys in law firms or for other organizations that hire lawyers, such as banks, insurance companies, real estate companies, and manufacturers. A legal advisor for an agricultural, health-care, or construction firm is also an option.