How To Become A Family Law Attorney

By Marlene Blevins


Family-related law is an area in the law profession that deals with matters relating to family relationships. There are many issues covered under this law. Major ones include divorce, child and spousal support, custody, dividing of assets, adoption, paternity, ending of parental rights, protection against abuse, dependency and neglecting of kids. In Dallas, OR, the professionals who specialize in this area of the law are called family law attorneys.

Becoming effective as an attorney in this area takes skills, years of academic work, and experience. Even once one has been certified, there is still much to do to maintain the certification status. The Bar Association requires all lawyers to complete continuing education credits to keep their licenses. Job description requires practitioners to spend hours traveling to file cases, attend court sessions, and consult with clients.

Lawyers work in different environments depending on where they are employed. Generally, their job description includes representing clients and ensuring that verdicts from the court are carried out. Lawyers are normally known for working several cases at ago. As such, they work for long hours everyday. This requires them to be good at organizing their work and managing time. Otherwise, this career can seem very strenuous.

All job requirements that must be met to become family lawyer are outlined by the BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The main requirements are key skills, computer literacy, licensure, experience, bachelor degree, and a law degree. The bachelor degree does not have any restrictions and may be in any field from any institution around the world.

The juris doctor degree however has some restrictions, which must be fulfilled. The major restriction is that the degree must be earned from an institution that is approved by the Bar Association of America. This is the association that governs most activities in this field in the US. In fact, it has information on all lawyers in the US hence, one seeking to hire one should consult the association. Information on current standing of an attorney and their reputation can be found there.

Prior experience is not mandatory for one to start practicing law once training has been completed. However, the chances of getting job offers from firms for people who take summer and part-time jobs is higher. Some experience is normally earned while still schooling by handling cases under the supervision of a professor. Both private and public sectors employ attorneys.

Practitioners in this field are required to have elegant verbal and written communication skills. Additional skills in data and case analysis and research are beneficial too. Using the legal research software requires possession of computer skills. Individuals interested in practicing in a legal capacity cannot avoid certification.

The bar exam is mandatory for certification. The governing body is responsible for administering the exam to applicants after training. Licenses are only issued upon passing the test. Taking continuing education credits is mandatory to maintain the license.




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