Lawyers are responsible for upholding the law. Some of their job duties include drafting legal documents related to wills, divorces, and real estate transactions, gathering evidence or information, and providing legal advice. If you are interested in joining this field, then this article will be of great use to you. It will help you figure out how to become a Lawyer in Iowa.
Do you want to fight the injustice in society? If yes, then becoming a Lawyer is a great idea.
Candidates who want to practice law are required to meet several job requirements. These are highlighted in this section. The data presented in the table has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Outlook
It has been estimated by BLS that Lawyers are expected to experience employment growth of 6% through 2028. Since many corporations have started expanding their in-house legal teams, to cut their expenses, therefore the jobs in this field are predicted to grow.
Steps to Become a Lawyer in Iowa
The steps mentioned below will help you understand how to become a Lawyer in Iowa.
Step 1: Appear for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
After finishing a 4-year long undergrad degree, candidates should start preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). If the candidate fails the test, he/she would not be able to get into a Law school.
Step 2: Enroll in an ABA-Accredited Law School
After acing the LSAT, candidates should focus on their Law school applications. Law schools base their admission decisions on the strength of the individual’s application. For instance, those candidates who have a good academic record, a high LSAT score, and an impressive CV, have a good chance of getting admitted to a Law program.
Step 3: Study Hard!
Once the candidate has been accepted into a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, he/she should be prepared to study round the clock. The J.D. program helps candidates develop a strong foundation for legal writing and thinking. As part of their program, students get to study a range of topics, such as Civil Procedure, Constitutional Framework, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Law.
Step 4: Take the Uniform Bar Exam
The Uniform Bar Exam is coordinated and prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). Individuals have to pass this exam to become eligible to practice law. The Bar Exam has three components: the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), and the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE).
The exam includes essay questions, multiple-choice questions, and performance tests. After passing the Uniform Bar Exam, candidates are also expected to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. Once these exams have been cleared, candidates become eligible to work as Lawyers.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Lawyer in Iowa?
Becoming a Lawyer in the Hawkeye State is a long process. It can take candidates up to 7 years to meet the academic requirements. First, individuals have to earn a bachelor’s degree, which can take around 4 years to complete. And then, they have to earn a 3-year long Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
After obtaining the educational credentials, aspiring Lawyers have to take several exams, including the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Therefore, it can take a long time to join this field.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Lawyer in Iowa?
To become eligible to practice law in the State of Iowa, candidates have to satisfy several conditions. They must:
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Earn a Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) to meet the graduation requirements.
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Clear the Uniform Bar Examination.
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Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
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Have a good moral character.
How Much Do a Lawyer Earn in Iowa?
Official wage statistics published by BLS show that Lawyers in Iowa earned an annual mean pay of $119,700 in 2019.