How to Get Into Family Law

If you have an interest in family law, there are various ways you can explore it. Start by browsing law school websites and attending in person visits.

Consider that becoming a family lawyer requires seven years, with four years of undergraduate study and three of law school leading to your Juris Doctorate (JD).

Education Requirements

For anyone aspiring to become a family law attorney, undertaking an intensive academic program that encompasses undergraduate and law school studies is necessary. Prospective lawyers must carefully select their majors so as to attain high enough grades and LSAT scores for admission into an appropriate law school; useful high school classes for future family lawyers include psychology, sociology, business accounting government history.

As part of your undergraduate education, in addition to earning your four-year bachelor’s degree, completing at least three years in law school will allow you to achieve the Juris Doctor (JD). While in law school, your studies should emphasize courses related to family law such as legal writing, case law analysis and reasoning, constitutional law, contracts, property rights, civil procedure and torts.

Externships and internships provide invaluable experience working directly with clients, drafting legal documents, arguing cases before judges or juries and more. Law schools typically offer career services offices to help find job opportunities as well as draft resumes and cover letters.

Experience Requirements

Family lawyers require strong relationships and knowledge of legal precedents to advance in their field. You can build both through networking with professionals in the field, joining law-related student clubs or events and gaining hands-on experience through internships or volunteerism. In order to further their career prospects, consider enrolling in a master of laws (LLM) program – often comprising taking the bar exam and receiving a license to practice law.

Aspiring family lawyers also require excellent written communication and research skills that are crucial in law school’s rigorous academic environment, as well as effective client interaction skills – many clients who are experiencing high stress situations that may have an impactful effect on their futures and livelihoods can require support during times of great emotional turmoil. Family lawyer practice areas may include working for small to mid-sized firms as well as government agencies.

Licensing Requirements

After graduating law school, family lawyers must pass the state bar exam in their jurisdiction of choice in order to practice. This exam may have multiple parts; therefore it is wise to find out the specific requirements before enrolling. Family law attorneys provide services for people seeking divorce or custody; adoptive parents; prenups/postnups to outline property ownership upon divorce; as well as minors looking for legal independence (emancipation).

Career as a family lawyer is both challenging and gratifying, helping your clients through major life transitions. Gain all of the information you need by researching law schools that offer relevant courses and experiential learning experiences, or speak with current family law faculty, students and alumni about becoming one.

Specialization Requirements

Aspiring family lawyers have the option of specializing in different aspects of family law. One day they may prosecute a divorce case; on another they might support parental rights in court. Family law presents both intellectual challenges and opportunities to make an impactful difference in people’s lives.

Given that these cases can often be emotionally exhausting, family lawyers need to possess patience and resilience. Beyond possessing standard written and verbal communication skills that all lawyers require, family law requires being able to support clients who may be at their most vulnerable state.

DePaul University’s College of Law in Chicago provides specialized programs in family law, such as its Family Law Fellow program and experiential learning opportunities through clinics and practicums. To specialize in family law, students will need to select courses which emphasize subjects that interest them while still adhering to an established core curriculum.