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Careers: Law/Want to Become a Paralegal and later a Lawyer

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Expert: Sally A. Kane - 9/4/2008


Question
I want to become a paralegal and a few years later I want to become a lawyer do I still have to go the seven years of school to become a lawyer?

Answer
Dear Jessie,

To become a lawyer you must earn a bachelor’s degree, graduate from law school and pass your state’s bar examination.   It generally takes seven years of study – 4 years of college and 3 years of law school – although part-time study may lengthen this timeline.
  
If you already have a bachelor’s degree or complete one as part of your paralegal studies you will only need to complete the three years of law school to become a lawyer.

More detailed information regarding the educational requirements to become a lawyer can be found at: http://legalcareers.about.com/od/educationandtraining/a/Education.htm

You might also find the following Paralegal v. Lawyer article  helpful – it compares the pros and cons of working as a paralegal and as a lawyer:
http://legalcareers.about.com/od/legalcareerbasics/a/paralegallawyer.htm

Best of luck in your legal studies!

Sally A. Kane, J.D.
About.com Guide to Legal Careers
http://legalcareers.about.com/

Careers: Law

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Sally A. Kane

Expertise

I am an attorney with more than a decade of experience in the legal industry. I currently serve as a legal careers expert at About.com, providing guidance to law students, lawyers, paralegals and other legal professionals. Check out the site at http://legalcareers.about.com/ before posting your question - it may already be answered there!

Experience

I have thirteen years’ experience in the legal field and have worked in a variety of practice environments including large and small law firms, corporations and the judicial system. I have experience in many practice areas including products liability litigation, insurance defense, worker’s compensation and corporate law.

Publications
I profile law firms across the globe for Vault’s best-selling career guides and am a legal career columnist for Litigation Support Today. My work has also appeared in numerous print and web-based publications including Legal Assistant Today, The Legal Intelligencer, Cabin Life, and Working Nurse.

Education/Credentials
B.A. in English/Writing (Cum Laude) - 1989; Paralegal Certificate (Summa Cum Laude) - 1991; Juris Doctorate – Law Review - 2001.

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