In most jurisdictions, law degrees are required for a career as an attorney. As such, you will typically have to graduate from college and law school to become a legal malpractice attorney. This usually means making a commitment to seven years of education: four years of college and three years of law school. You may also have to pass an exam, typically called the bar exam, to become a legal malpractice attorney. Additionally, you will probably have to apply for a license to practice as a lawyer in your jurisdiction.
Many people start preparing for professional careers while they are still in high school. You don’t have to take specific high school courses to become a legal malpractice attorney, but there are some courses that may help you build the skills you will need for a career in law. For example, composition and public-speaking courses may help you build the top-notch communication skills you will most likely need for a legal career. Debate classes may prove helpful as well.
You will typically have to spend about four years — if you enroll full time — studying to become a legal malpractice attorney. You can typically choose just about any subject in which to pursue a degree; law schools accept students from all types of majors, including those that are unrelated to law, such as science or engineering. In most cases, your other qualifications are more likely to be considered important when you attempt to gain admission to law school. For example, a law school is more likely to consider your college grades, the results of standardized testing, and letters of recommendation from college professors in evaluating your application. Additionally, personal interviews and essays may help admissions officers further evaluate you as a law school candidate.
Law school will usually require a commitment to about three years of education. You will usually have to take a required core of courses that all law school students take, without regard to the field of law in which they want to practice. You may also have an opportunity to choose law school courses that are specifically related to your chosen field of practice. Additionally, you may secure an internship with a firm that specializes in malpractice cases as you work toward becoming a legal malpractice lawyer.
The final steps you have to take to become a legal malpractice attorney involve testing and licensing. In order to practice law in your jurisdiction, you will most likely have to pass a test of legal knowledge that is referred to as the bar exam. Typically, you will have to apply for licensing to practice law as well.
