Truth be told, there is no one who can say no to the legal profession.  It simply is one of the best courses available in the market.  The course has a wide following and liking across the globe which has not only made it popular but also has made it one of the most preferred courses among high school and primary school students.  

However, the process of becoming a probate lawyer itself is not as easy.  It comes with a rigorous academic path which requires a lot of dedication and zeal to be successfully completed.  In other words, law is not really a course for the lazy or people who like to have things the easy way.  

The conventional paths to becoming a lawyer is by going to primary school then proceed to high school then major in Law at the university level. This is the path that many people know about much as it is not an easier one.  

However, what if you were told there is actually another path to becoming a lawyer which does not necessarily require you to go to a law school.  Seems impossible right? Wrong! There is actually such a path and you will actually learn more about it below. 

How to Become a Lawyer Conventionally 

Before looking at how to become a lawyer without going to a law school, it is important to first of all look at the traditional way of becoming a lawyer.  This path of pursuing a legal profession is what many people know about. 

The path involves going to primary school then proceeding to secondary school and then to University.  At University, the student pursuing law must then specialize in any branch of law and proceed to study for four years.  Once a student successfully completes the four year study period, he or she will graduate and be conferred with a legal degree in the end.  

However, this accomplishment does not mean that the graduate can then proceed to court. He or she still has some way to go before becoming a certified lawyer that can practice in a court of law.  After graduation, the law graduate should proceed to a law school where he or she will study for about three years before sitting for bar exams.  

If the student is successful with the bar exams then he will be admitted to the bar exams and start practicing right away.  A good percentage of the lawyers you see out here went through this process except a few who took the path that will be explained to you below. 

An Alternative Path to Becoming a Lawyer 

Truth be told, there aren't many practical options of becoming a lawyer without necessarily passing through a law school. In fact, the only practical method one can use to become a lawyer without necessarily going through a law school is by way of apprenticeship.  This alternative is sometimes referred to in some states as reading the law. 

However, even though this option is somehow practical and can actually help you get a law degree without going through a law school, it does not apply to all states.  In fact, only a few states in America state this as one of the alternatives of becoming a lawyer. 

What becoming a lawyer by reading the law means is that one can be allowed to sit for the bar exams without necessarily having a law degree.  All that one needs to do is read the laws as stated in the regulations of the state then proceed to the law school. 

If you are unable to get a law degree then proceed to sit for bar exams and you wish to go the reading the law way there are some things you need to know.  First, you need to start by checking the states that allow for pursuing a law degree using this means.  You need to be reminded that there are not many states in America which allow for this method which is why you need to first of all check out which states allow for this option.  

If by any chance you are not in one of the states that allow for attaining a law license using this means you better migrate to one right away. If not, you will not be able to become a lawyer using this means. 

Sitting For a Bar Exams 

One of the most crucial steps of becoming a lawyer is being able to sit for a bar exams and passing the exams.  Once a student has sat for these exams and passed, he or she shall then be awarded with a license which will then allow them to start practicing law. 

However, before sitting for these exams there are conditions that one must first of all satisfy.  For instance the student must first of all have a law degree or an alternative to the same allowed as per the states' regulations.  This is where apprenticeship comes in which is one of the few known alternatives to acquiring a law license.  

If you are able to satisfactorily prove that you have as they require read the law you will be allowed to sit for bar exams. If you sit for these exams and pass you will be admitted to the bar and offered a license to start practicing law. 

However, as said above, this method does not apply to all states in America but only a few.  Some of these states include the following: 

  • California 
  • Virginia 
  • Washington 
  • Vermont 

If you are in these states you do not need a law degree to sit for bar exams, any other alternatives can still work for you. 

Conclusion 

If you are in Washington, Virginia, Vermont and California there is a method you can use to attain a law license without having a law degree.  This method is known as reading the law which is what some people use especially those people who have never sat in a law school.