What are the requirements for being a lawyer?

A lawyer (also known as an attorney, counsel, or counsellor) is a licensed professional who provides legal advice and representation to others. A lawyer today can be young or old, male or female. Almost all lawyers are under the age of 35. Almost half of today's law students are female, and women may eventually outnumber men in the profession.

I am from another country and require the services of a lawyer. Are notaries public attorneys?

A "notary public," "accountant," or "certified public accountant" are not always lawyers. Don't assume that titles like notary public mean the same thing as equivalent terms in your native language. A lawyer is known as a "barrister" or a "solicitor" in some countries.

A lawyer's main responsibility is to uphold the law while also protecting the rights of his or her clients. To carry out these responsibilities, a lawyer must understand the law and be an effective communicator.

Is the majority of a lawyer's time spent in court?

No. Most lawyers spend more time in their offices than in courtrooms. The practise of law typically entails researching legal developments, investigating facts, writing and preparing legal documents, providing advice, and resolving disputes.

What are the requirements for being a lawyer?

Lawyers must attend specialised training in order to understand how laws and the legal system work. Each state has enacted standards that must be met before a person can practise law in that state. Most states require that before a person can practise law, they must:

• A bachelor's degree or its equivalent is must be require.
• Complete three years of law school at an ABA-accredited law school.

Pass a state bar exam, which typically lasts two or three days. The exam assesses knowledge in specific areas of law. There are also tests on professional ethics and responsibility that must be passed.

1. Pass a character and fitness examination. A committee that investigates character and background must approve applicants for law licences.
2. Take an oath, typically swearing to uphold the laws as well as the state and federal constitutions.
3. Obtain a licence from the state's highest court, usually the state supreme court.

Is a lawyer allowed to practise law in all states once licenced in one?

Not necessarily. A lawyer who wishes to practise in more than one state must usually meet the bar admission requirements of each state. Some states, however, allow licenced out-of-state lawyers to practise law if they have done so for several years in another state and are approved by the new state's highest court. Many states also allow lawyers to participate in specific cases even if they are not licenced.

Is it necessary for me to engage a lawyer if I have a legal problem?

You do not have to represent yourself. Nonlawyers or paralegals may also be qualified to represent you in some specialised situations, such as filing a complaint with a government agency (for example, a dispute over Social Security or Medicare benefits). (Paralegals are nonlawyers who have received training to assist lawyers in a variety of tasks; they do not typically represent clients in court.) If you find yourself in this situation, inquire with the government agency involved about the types of legal representatives that are acceptable.

There are many issues that you can handle on your own if you know how. You can, for example, represent yourself in traffic or small-claims court, or negotiate and enter into contracts on your own. However, if you are unsure about the consequences of your actions or are unsure how to proceed, seeking quick legal advice from a lawyer could be very beneficial in avoiding problems down the road.

Why does it appear that lawyers speak and write in a foreign language?

Lawyers and others trained in the law frequently use legal terms as abbreviations for complex ideas or principles. These words and phrases, many of which have Latin roots, are jokingly referred to as a foreign language—legalese. Although some legalese may be required to communicate certain ideas precisely, a document that is understood by only a small percentage of its readers is simply poor communication.

Federal regulations have been required to be "written in plain English and understandable to those who must comply" since 1978. In addition, many states have laws requiring insurance policies, leases, and consumer contracts to be written in plain English.