What does an Attorney do?
Published 3 min read
An attorney is a professional who provides legal services to clients in exchange for compensation. Attorneys may represent clients in both criminal and civil cases. They may also provide other legal services, such as drafting wills, trusts, and contracts.
Attorney job duties include:
- Advise and represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private legal matters.
- Communicate with opposing attorneys and present facts in writing and verbally to support their case.
- Conduct research and analysis of legal problems.
- Draft and file pleadings with the court.
- Examine witnesses, present evidence, and make arguments in court on behalf of clients.
- Investigate facts to help them determine whether they have a legal problem or issue.
- Negotiate settlements of legal disputes on behalf of clients.
- Prepare wills, trusts, and other documents to ensure the efficient disposition of client assets according to the client's wishes.
- Represent clients in mediations, arbitrations, and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
Attorney Job Requirements
In order to become an attorney, one must first earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. After completing a four-year undergraduate program, the individual must then attend law school for three additional years. Upon earning a Juris Doctor degree, the individual must pass the bar exam in the state in which they wish to practice law. Some states also require attorneys to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis in order to maintain their license to practice law.
Attorney Skills
- Analytical skills
- Research skills
- Writing skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Public speaking skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Organizational skills
- Time management skills
- People skills
- Negotiation skills
- Mediation skills
Related: Top Attorney Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become an Attorney
There are many different types of attorneys, and the path to becoming one depends on which type of law you want to practice. But in general, here are the steps you need to take to become an attorney:
1. Get a bachelor's degree. You'll need to complete an undergraduate degree before you can go to law school. While you can major in any subject, it may be helpful to choose a major that emphasizes writing and critical thinking, like English or philosophy.
2. Go to law school. After you've completed your undergraduate degree, you'll need to attend law school for three years. During your time in law school, you'll take classes like constitutional law, contracts, and civil procedure.
3. Pass the bar exam. Once you've graduated from law school, you'll need to pass your state's bar exam before you can start practicing law. The bar exam tests your knowledge of the law and your ability to apply it to real-world scenarios.
4. Find a job. Once you've passed the bar exam, you can start working as an attorney. Many attorneys work in private firms, but there are also opportunities to work for the government or non-profit organizations.
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