Many people who go into law do so because they have a passion for helping people. Those who choose to become a personal injury lawyer have this same passion, but also want to ensure that justice is served to victims of accidents. But how do you become a personal injury attorney? How many years of college are needed to be a lawyer? What degree do you need? We’ll discuss the answers to these questions and more below.
How Many Years of College is Needed to Be a Lawyer?
Individuals who have been injured in some sort of accident (whether it be physically or emotionally) may be entitled to financial compensation to help cover medical bills, lost wages, or damages. A personal injury attorney is someone who represents you in these types of cases. They work with insurance companies and the at-fault party to ensure you get the financial compensation you deserve.
Because these attorneys fight to protect your legal rights, it requires a significant amount of education to recognize and anticipate potential legal troubles and intervene before they occur. It also requires extensive knowledge of your state’s laws and court system. Overall, it takes about seven years of schooling to become a personal injury lawyer—four years to earn your bachelor’s degree and three years of law school. While this may seem like a long time, the degree you earn sets you up for a successful career defending accident victims.
What Degree do You Need to Be a Lawyer?
In terms of a bachelor’s degree, most law schools will accept any, but there are some that set you up for success more than others. Most successful attorneys hold a bachelor’s degree in one of the following:
- Political science
- Business
- Social science
- Economics
- English
- History
Some universities offer a pre-law major for aspiring lawyers though it varies from university to university.
Upon earning your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to complete law school at an approved American Bar Association school. This usually takes three years, with the first year focusing on studying criminal law, constitutional law, property law, etc., and the remaining two years filled with elective courses.
Finally, you’ll need to pass your state’s bar exam. The exam tests your knowledge of legal practice and state and national laws.
No matter the degree you get, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of how to defend and represent individuals in court and how to ensure that justice is served.
What Other Steps are Needed to Become a Lawyer?
One of the final steps to become a lawyer includes earning additional certifications required by your state. Some may require you to attend classes throughout your career to ensure you keep up on industry changes.
You’ll also want to have some hands-on experience upon graduating from law school and passing the bar exam. Look carefully at the training aspect of the law firms you’re seeking employment at. You’ll want to ensure that they have an adequate training period that sets you and your future clients up for success.
Hire the Professionals at Ipson Law for all Your Personal Injury Needs
While the road to becoming a personal injury lawyer is long, it’s incredibly rewarding. Representing those whose lives have been drastically altered in court and giving them the financial compensation they need is an incredible feeling.
At Ipson Law, our team of attorneys has the education and experience needed to represent you. No matter what type of accident you were injured in, we’ll get you the compensation you deserve. Contact Ipson Law Firm for all your personal injury needs, or click here to learn more about our firm.
See what previous clients have said about our services on our reviews page.
Michael is an attorney who started Ipson Law because of his passion for personal injury law. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA. Learn more about Michael on our about us page, and contact Ipson Law to find out how we can help you.
