Lawyer Training?

Princess Leia

1) Get good grades in high school so you can go to a good university;
2) Go to a good university. There are lots of good state universities so try to find one in the state you currently live in so you only have to pay the resident rate;
3) If it is too expensive (university) and/or you don't do well in high school, go to a junior college for 2 years and see if you can get your paralegal degree (Associate's degree in paralegal studies). This way, you can learn about the law while getting a 2 year degree that you can use to transfer to a 4-year university to get your bachelor's degree.
4) Get good grades at the university;
5) Take a prep course for the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) and score very well in it. Some schools may give you good scholarships based upon your grades at the university and your LSAT score;
6) Go to a good law school. Again, there are many that are good (ABA approved) and are at state universities so they aren't as expensive as private law schools;
7) While you are in law school, apply for summer internships at local law firms - that way, you will have an "in" at various firms which may offer you employment once you graduate and pass the bar exam.

Other tips:

When you're 16, see if you can get a part-time job at a law firm (after school) working as a file clerk. You can see how you would like working there.

And, depending on what city, state you are in, check with your local district attorney or public defender's office to find out if they have internships (summer) for interested high school students. You won't be paid but at least you'll learn about criminal law - to see if you like that.

Stephen - he always has depressing stories. I hope one day he'll post his own story (assuming he is an unemployed attorney) instead of compiling all the depressing stories.

Spike

Don't listen to Debbie Downer there. He has managed to compile the worst stories possible, there are good ones as well.

There's probably a good chance your mind will change, but for now just focus on getting good grades. You really don't need to do too much else until you're in college. Get good grades in high school and be involved. Then, go to a good college, be involved and do well. You won't need to do much until you're about a sophomore or junior in college. Then you'll start preparing for the LSAT.

Here's an idea, but maybe a little ways down the road, see if you can get a job as a runner at a law firm. That way you can see what it's really like and if and when you do go to law school you'll have some contacts.

good luck

Andre

That's good that you're thinking big. You probably have high goals and want to earn a lot of money, but I don't think law is the best vehicle for it anymore. With 40,000 new law graduates each year, it gets harder and harder to find gainful legal employment. The odds are stacked against you because there simply aren't enough jobs to keep up with this trend. Law schools have done nothing to curb admission or set higher standards. The student loan debt should be enough to keep you from going to law school. College is expensive as it. Do you really want to be saddled with additional debt beyond that? Being a lawyer really means slaving for 7 years and hardly earning money. Paying the debt is almost like paying for a house.

http://barelylegalblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.calicocat.com/2004/08/law-school-big-lie.html

http://informeddecisionmaking.blogspot.com/

http://justiceforlawyers2007.blogspot.com/

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