In 1933, the North Carolina General Assembly established the North Carolina State Bar to regulate the legal profession in the state. The North Carolina Bar Association is supervised by the Supreme Court of North Carolina and it is tasked with monitoring all the judicial and legislative issues in the state.
Should I Become a Lawyer in North Carolina?
Have you always wanted to practice law as a Lawyer in the state of North Carolina? If that is the case, then you must earn an ABA-accredited Juris Doctorate. Not only that, but you must also become a member of the North Carolina State Bar by clearing the State Bar Exam and becoming licensed. If you do not fulfill these requirements, you would not be able to practice law in this state. Further details on this career are listed below.
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Education Required
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Doctoral or professional degree (J.D.)
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Major Requirement
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Law
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License/Certification
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Clear the North Carolina State Bar Exam to get a license
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Experience/Training
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An internship or volunteer work is recommended
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Key Skills
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Research, Interpersonal, Communication, Analytical, Critical-thinking, Attention-to-detail, and Problem-solving Skills, etc.
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Annual Mean Salary (2019) -
North Carolina
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$133,290
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Annual Mean Salary (2019) - National
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$145,300
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Job Outlook (2018-2028)
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6%
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019)
Career Outlook
According to the estimation of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lawyers are expected to see a 6% increase in employment levels between 2018 and 2028. On the other hand, 657,170 Lawyers were reported to be working in the US in 2019, and 13,620 of them were from the state of North Carolina.
Steps to Become a Lawyer in North Carolina
If becoming employed as a Lawyer in the state of North Carolina has been your lifelong dream, this step by step guide can help you navigate the road to success. So, let’s get started!
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Graduate from a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step towards building a career as a lawyer is graduating from an accredited bachelor’s degree. A typical bachelor’s degree can take about 4 years to complete. It is not mandatory to take courses in law during the bachelor’s degree but doing so helps prepare to take on the advanced curriculum of the doctoral degree in law school.
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Clearing the LSAT Exam
The Law School Admission Test is the entry ticket to a law school. Without clearing this exam with a good score, nobody can enroll in a law school. If you want to attend a law school of good stature, you must ensure a good score in this exam as it is incredibly competitive.
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Earning a Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
To become a lawyer, all prospective candidates are required to earn a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) which is a doctoral degree in law. This degree must be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). A typical J.D. takes about 3 years to complete.
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Passing the North Carolina State Bar Exam
The North Carolina Bar Association is responsible for conducting the Bar Exam in this state. All lawyers must clear the North Carolina State Bar Exam to become members of the State Bar. Without clearing this exam, lawyers cannot become licensed and without a license, they cannot practice law.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Lawyer in North Carolina?
Overall, it may take about 7 to 8 years for anyone to become a lawyer in North Carolina. This timeline includes completion of a bachelor’s degree (4-years), getting the J.D. (3 years), as well as the time for preparation of the LSAT and the State Bar Exam.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Lawyer in North Carolina?
To work as a Lawyer in the state of North Carolina, all prospective lawyers must:
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Complete a bachelor’s degree
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Clear the LSAT exam
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Earn a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school
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Pass the North Carolina State Bar Exam
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Get the North Carolina lawyer’s license
How Much Can I Make as a Lawyer in North Carolina?
In 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that Lawyers in the state of North Carolina had an annual mean salary of $133,290. While the District of Columbia was named as the highest paying state for this occupation with an annual mean salary of $192,180.