Before beginning your journey to becoming a lawyer in New Jersey, you must know what lawyers do. Simply put, lawyers are legal counselors, advisors, and advocates for people who are not familiar with the law.
Should I Become a Lawyer in New Jersey?
The New Jersey State Bar Association is monitored by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. All the judicial and legislative issues in the state are regulated by the New Jersey State Bar Association. The New Jersey State Bar requires lawyers to possess an ABA-accredited Juris Doctorate. Moreover, they must clear the New Jersey State Bar Exam and become licensed. Further details on this career are explained as follows.
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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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Must clear the New Jersey State Bar Exam to get lawyer’s license
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Experience/Training
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An internship or volunteer work is suggested
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Key Skills
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Interpersonal, Communication, Research, Analytical, Critical-thinking, Attention-to-detail, and Problem-solving skills, etc.
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Annual Mean Salary (2019) - New Jersey
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$147,170
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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
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 6% employment growth for Lawyers between 2018 and 2028. In 2019, a total of 657,170 Lawyers were working in the US, and 21,690 of them belonged to the state of New Jersey.
Steps to Become a Lawyer in New Jersey
Are you considering going to law school and becoming a lawyer in the state of New Jersey? If that is the case, then you must fulfill the state-set requirements to work as a lawyer. So, let’s get started using this stepwise guide!
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Get a Bachelor’s Degree
To become a lawyer, you must obtain a doctoral degree from a law school, and to qualify for that, you must graduate from a recognized/accredited 4-year bachelor’s degree. It is not mandatory to complete coursework in law during the bachelor’s degree. However, taking such courses can help with the advanced curriculum in law school.
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Take the LSAT Exam
All prospective candidates who are interested in obtaining a doctoral degree in law must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). It is a highly competitive exam and must be cleared with an excellent score to enter a prestigious law school.
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Graduate from a Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
The doctoral degree in Law is known as the Juris Doctorate (J. D.) which takes about 3 years to complete and must be accredited by the American Bar Association. Many ABA-accredited law schools in New Jersey offer a J.D., such as the Rutgers Law School at the State University of New Jersey.
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Take the New Jersey State Bar Exam
The New Jersey State Bar Association conducts the Bar Exam for lawyers in this state. All prospective lawyers must take the New Jersey State Bar Exam and clear it to become members of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Without it, lawyers cannot get licensed, or practice law.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Lawyer in New Jersey?
Including 4 years of bachelor’s degree, 3 years of law school, and approximately 1 year in preparing and passing the LSAT and the New Jersey State Bar Exam, the total time it takes to become a lawyer is around 7 to 8 years.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Lawyer in New Jersey?
To become a Lawyer in the state of New Jersey, all aspiring candidates must:
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Hold a bachelor’s degree
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Pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
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Graduate from an ABA-accredited Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
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Demonstrate fitness and character to practice law
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Clear the New Jersey State Bar Exam
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Apply, and obtain the New Jersey lawyer’s license
How Much Can I Make as a Lawyer in New Jersey?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2019 that Lawyers in the state of New Jersey had an annual mean salary of $147,170. While the District of Columbia was listed as the highest paying state for this career with an annual mean salary of $192,180.