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required education in attorney jobs

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Answered by GPT-4o mini
To become an attorney, individuals typically need to complete several educational steps:

1. **Bachelor’s Degree**: The first requirement is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. There is no specific major required, but degrees in fields such as political science, history, economics, or philosophy can be beneficial.

2. **Law School Admission Test (LSAT)**: After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, aspiring lawyers must take the LSAT, which is a standardized test designed to assess reading and verbal reasoning skills. The score on this test is a critical part of the law school application process.

3. **Law School**: Candidates then must attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Generally, law school takes three years to complete and culminates in a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. During law school, students typically study various aspects of law, participate in internships, and may also have opportunities for practical training through clinics or externships.

4. **Bar Examination**: After graduating from law school, candidates must pass the bar examination in the state where they wish to practice law. The bar exam tests knowledge of state-specific laws and ethics, and each state has its own requirements and format for the exam.

5. **Character and Fitness Assessment**: In addition to passing the bar exam, candidates must also undergo a character and fitness evaluation, which assesses their moral character and suitability to practice law.

6. **Continuing Legal Education (CLE)**: Once licensed, many states require attorneys to complete continuing legal education (CLE) courses periodically to maintain their license and stay updated on legal developments.

In summary, becoming an attorney involves completing a bachelor's degree, passing the LSAT, completing a law degree (JD), passing the bar examination, and fulfilling character and fitness requirements. Continuing education is also necessary to maintain licensure throughout one's career.

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