A movie shows a courtroom. The judge is in charge. The jury will pick the verdict. But all eyes are on one person. A lawyer is making a fiery speech.

Is that what lawyers do in real life? Only sometimes!

All lawyers know a lot about laws. But they do many different things. Some lawyers don't take part in trials. Maybe you'd like being a lawyer, even if you don't like making speeches.

Criminal Lawyers

Who do you often see in movies? Criminal lawyers. They defend people charged with crimes or argue against them. Trials are held for some cases. Others are worked out without going to court.

Business Lawyers

Like to make deals? Business law might suit you. Lots of lawyers help companies. Many write contracts. Some give advice about taxes. Some help companies buy other companies. Some help companies protect their ideas and brands. They keep other companies from copying those special things.

Environmental Lawyers

Some laws protect Earth and living things. The Clean Water Act is an example. Environmental lawyers help companies follow the rules. They are also hired by people to fight companies that break the rules.

What It Takes to Become a Lawyer

Lawyers must know how to do research. They need good reading, writing, and speaking skills.

To become a lawyer, people go to college for four years. Then they attend law school for three years. To work as a lawyer in most states in the United States, a person needs to pass a test. It's called a bar exam.

You've read about a few kinds of lawyers. But there are many more. Some work for movie stars or pro athletes. Some fight for people's rights, such as free speech.

Think it over. What's your verdict? Would you like to be a lawyer?

Think about and discuss these questions:
What evidence from the article supports the idea that it can take dedication to become a lawyer?
What skills should someone have to become a successful lawyer? What evidence from the article supports your response?
Question 2


2 / 4

Think about the article. How are business law and environmental law the same?

They both help with taxes.
They both help make movies.
They both help Earth.
They both help companies.

1 answer

1. What evidence from the article supports the idea that it can take dedication to become a lawyer?

The article mentions that to become a lawyer, individuals must go through a substantial amount of education: they need to attend college for four years and then law school for three years. Additionally, it states that they must pass a bar exam to practice law in most states. This lengthy educational path and requirement to pass a challenging exam demonstrate that becoming a lawyer requires significant dedication and commitment.

2. What skills should someone have to become a successful lawyer? What evidence from the article supports your response?

The article indicates that lawyers need strong research, reading, writing, and speaking skills. It mentions that lawyers must know how to conduct research, which is critical for building cases and understanding the law. The need for good reading skills is implied in the context of understanding legal documents. Writing skills are necessary for drafting contracts and legal arguments, and speaking skills are important for presenting cases and making arguments in court. This comprehensive list of skills supports the idea that a successful lawyer must be well-rounded in various forms of communication and research.

Question 2: How are business law and environmental law the same?

The correct answer is: They both help companies.

Both business lawyers and environmental lawyers work with companies, albeit in different contexts. Business lawyers primarily focus on legal matters related to commerce, transactions, and corporate governance, while environmental lawyers assist companies in following environmental regulations and addressing legal issues related to environmental protection.