The Centennial State is one of the top five U.S. states that have the highest concentration of legal jobs. If you are passionate about joining the legal profession, then read this informative article on how to become a Lawyer in Colorado.
Do you have good public speaking and leadership skills? If yes, then a legal career would suit you best. Take a look at the table below to familiarize yourself with the job requirements that Lawyers have to meet. These guidelines and information have been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Outlook
BLS has predicted that the demand for Lawyers will shoot up by 6% from 2018 to 2028.
Steps to Become a Lawyer in Colorado
This portion of the article will help you figure out how to become a Lawyer in Colorado.
Step 1: Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree
The first step is to enroll in an undergraduate program. A liberal arts degree, which focuses on developing writing and reading skills, can provide a firm foundation to become a Lawyer. Courses related to Real Estate, Accounting, Finance, and Business are useful for candidates who want to practice Commercial Law. Whereas courses like Environmental Sciences and Geology are useful for those individuals who want to establish a career in Environmental Law.
Step 2: Pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized exam that helps law schools screen applicants. You can take specialized preparation courses to get a good score on this test. It is recommended that you take this test in your senior year of college.
Step 3: Get Admitted to a Law School
A good score on the LSAT will help you gain admission into a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program. This degree can be completed within three years. To graduate from this program, you will have to study several modules, such as Legislation and Regulation, Legal Writing, Criminal Procedures, Family Law, Administrative Law, Education Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Economic Analysis of Law.
Step 4: Pass the Bar Exam
You will have to graduate from law school to take the Bar Exam. After passing this exam, you will be able to apply for a professional license. In addition to the Bar Exam, you will also have to take the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). A passing score on both of these exams is required to get the license.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Lawyer in Colorado?
Becoming a Lawyer in Colorado is not an easy task. It takes years of professional training to join this field. First, individuals have to complete high school, and then they have to complete a 4-year long Bachelor’s degree. After completing the undergraduate program, students have to enroll in a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program. It can take up to 3 years to complete this degree. Thus, all in all, it takes candidates around 7 years to complete the education requirements.
After getting the required qualifications, individuals have to pass a Bar Exam and the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Once these exams have been passed, the individual becomes eligible to practice law in Colorado.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Lawyer in Colorado?
Individuals must meet the criteria mentioned below in order to get a license to practice law in the Centennial State. The candidate must:
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Get a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
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Complete the Practicing with Professionalism Course. This course is offered by the Colorado Bar Association.
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Clear Colorado's Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).
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Clear the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE).
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Meet the fitness and character requirements set by the Colorado Office of Attorney Admissions.
How Much Do a Lawyer Earn in Colorado?
According to BLS, Lawyers working in Colorado earned an annual mean wage of $150,630 in 2019.