what education do you need to own your own law firm?

Question

and how do i start my own law firm what do i do first and what will i get paid

Answer 1

Technically, there is only one kind of educational qualification you need to open your own firm: the license to practice law

However, in my opinion solo practitioners (which is what you would be called if you went out on your own to practice) require a second, perhaps even more important kind of education which you can only gain through experience. Namely, BUSINESS experience (and perhaps aptitude). In addition to legal work you will also have to handle marketing your firm, dealing with and keeping clients, collecting fees, dealing with payroll, taxes, etc. Navigating this stuff you're not going to learn at any law school.

However, both the monetary and psychological rewards can be enormous, if you're up for it. There really is nothing quite like being your own boss. Before you decide, I suggest working for a small firm or for a solo practitioner for a while before you start out. Contracting work from another attorney is also a great way to get your foot in the door.

A great book published by the American Bar Association is called, "How to Start and Build a Law Practice" by Jay Foonberg. It is a must read. Another wonderful resource is www.myshingle.com, which is a blog website for solo practitioners.

If this is your dream, go for it! Best of luck.

Answer 2

You will need a 4 year college/university degree. I suggest you study business. Take courses on accounting, marketing, computers, etc. After graduation you take the LSAT entrance exam and apply to an ABA (American Bar Assoc) accredited law school.

Law school takes 3 years on the day program, 4 years evening division. You get few elective courses in law school, as the curriculum is set to give students a broad outlook on the law and some preparation for taking the Bar exam. After graduation from law school, you take the Bar exam a 2 day test on general law topics and the law in your state. Once you pass the Bar exam you receive your law license.

As a lawyer you should try to work at many different law firms to see how things are run and what your talents are. I worked as an independent contractor attorney for around 5 years before I opened up my own firm.

Once you have your own law firm,you deal with marketing, accounting, personnel, non-paying clients and the actual work of law. You worry about the business 24/7 and must have a very understanding spouse. The majority of states do not allow non-licensed lawyers to own law firms due to ethical considerations. Good luck.

Answer 3

Besides the obvious law degree, you need to be able to balance a checkbook. Other than that, it's a matter of if you have the personality for it. Not everyone does.

Have you ever run your own business? It's scary if you haven't, so you need to get some good information on how to do it.

You have to know how to FIND business, how to SERVICE customers, and how to COLLECT for services, and how to MANAGE all the crummy little details like paying rent.

One of the first things to finding business is other lawyers for referrals. Go meet a few solos and get some input on how to hang out a shingle. Take notes. Ask for book recommendations.

Answer 4

Well, first of all you'd have to be a lawyer.

When you have your own company, you only get paid if the company makes money - then you get whatever the company makes, less expenses and taxes of course.