If you want to become a lawyer, you can specialize in many areas. If you are interested in managing relationship matters, you may want to become a family lawyer. Those who pursue this type of legal career work on a wide variety of cases, often with high emotions and high stakes. This article explains how to become a family lawyer and what to expect in this career.
What is a family lawyer?
A family lawyer is also a legal professional who works on family-related matters. These cases often involve divorce, family disputes, child welfare, adoption, custody and annulment. When you work as a family lawyer, your job is to represent your client and help them navigate various legal situations. You can manage the affairs of spouses, family members or a guardian representing a child.
What does a family lawyer do?
Each aspect of the legal profession has its own challenges and expectations. A family lawyer performs the following tasks:
Advising clients in legal proceedings.
Act as your client’s representative during the legal process.
Prepare a case for presentation in the courtroom on behalf of your client.
Use evidence and research to find a favorable position for your client.
Help families and couples reach mutual agreement or compromise.
Talk to key witnesses and other people involved in the case.
Travel to meet with clients and other legal professionals.
Attend court hearings to argue your client’s claim or reach a settlement.
Fill out family court applications.
What skills do you need to become a family lawyer?
The legal field in general requires exceptional communication skills, while working with families requires interacting with others on a very human level. So, family lawyers need the following skills to succeed:
Analytical thinking
Much of your work involves reviewing evidence and information to reach a conclusion that works for your client. Family lawyers use their analytical thinking skills to develop solutions. Family cases can be complex and emotional, so it’s important to use your analytical thinking skills to figure out what’s best for everyone involved.
Communication
When you work as a family lawyer, you will put your communication skills to good use every day. From writing important documents to speaking in court, your written and oral communication skills are an important part of clearly presenting your ideas and arguments. Your strong communication skills will help you connect with clients and make a strong case for them.
Empathy
Whether it’s a dramatic divorce or a happy couple adopting, emotions can run high in family court. While family lawyers must remain logical and follow legal procedures, it is also important to empathize with their clients. Having empathy skills means being able to understand how someone is feeling in a given situation. Even if you’re not a therapist, you may need a calming presence if you work in this field.
Negotiation
When it comes to any type of court case, there are many hearings involved. This is especially true in divorce or custody cases. Strong negotiation skills are an important part of ensuring that your clients are treated fairly in the courtroom. Many of those involved in family court cases are vulnerable, especially children, so it is important to consider the needs of your clients.
Organization
Family lawyers do a lot of paperwork and important documents. You can keep everything organized with organizational skills. In addition to providing easy access to files, the organization ensures the protection of client data. You can always be sure that your confidential information only reaches authorized parties.
Research
While your client may provide useful information, you must use your research skills to fully understand their situation. Through research, you will find useful evidence and valuable testimonies. You can also use your research skills to interview people involved in your case. Asking the right questions is an important part of finding the information you need to best serve your customers.
Stress treatment
While empathy is an important part of customer service, you also need to have stress management skills to separate yourself from stressful situations. Family lawyers must balance work and home life to avoid burnout. Stress management is also an important courtroom skill. Even when things are heating up, you have to find a way to stay cool and continue to serve your customers.
schedule
Court proceedings are often time-sensitive, which means you’ll need the skills to prioritize your work. Time management skills to meet important deadlines and submit all documents on time. Remember that when you are a family lawyer, things always come up. This means you will need to adjust your schedule accordingly.
How to become a family lawyer
Practicing law in any capacity has certain licensing and educational requirements. To become a family lawyer, follow these steps:
1. Get a college degree
Before entering law school, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree. While some four-year schools offer a pre-law program, there are other areas of study you can pursue while in college. Students preparing for law school typically major in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or government. Courses completed can also prepare you for law school. Consider enrolling in courses that can improve your communication and public speaking skills.
There are several things you can do in college to prepare for law school. In addition to taking relevant courses, you can also use this time to build meaningful relationships with your academic advisors and professors. Having these connections gives you a pool of qualified people to choose from when you need letters of recommendation for your law school application.
2. Take the LSAT
An important part of getting into law school is taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Most aspiring family lawyers take this exam at the end of their bachelor’s degree. LSAT questions are designed to test your logical and analytical thinking skills. You can prepare for the exam by taking courses and practical tests.
In addition to a favorable LSAT score, many law schools require the submission of a letter of recommendation, a personal statement, and an application fee. A high grade point average (GPA) during your undergraduate studies, along with a high LSAT score, can increase your chances of getting into law school.
3. Get through law school
If you are looking for a law school, make sure it is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). While attending law school, you will work toward your Juris Doctorate (JD). Many law school programs last about three years. In the first year, you will learn about all kinds of legal topics. As you move into your second and third year of school, you will have the opportunity to enroll in advanced courses. This is your chance to learn about family law topics such as divorce, adoption, custody, child welfare, and marriage.
In your last year of law school, you will learn about passing the bar exam. This is a test given by states to determine if you know enough law to qualify as a lawyer. In addition to preparing for the bar exam, you can also work on gaining relevant family law experience to make yourself a more viable candidate after graduation. Many family law students participate in family law clinics and intern in family law offices
4. Get legal permission
After graduating from law school, it’s time to take the bar exam. Depending on the rules in your state, you may be required to take a series of tests that may take several days. Some of these tests include multiple choice questions, while others may include essay questions. If you pass the exam and submit everything to the state, you will officially become a member of the state bar.
5. Collect continuing education credits
Even after you’ve passed all your learning and driver’s license tests, you’ll need to earn continuing education credits throughout your career to keep your driver’s license. These requirements vary from state to state. You can earn continuing education credits by attending conferences, seminars or lectures. You can earn credit in an in-person or online course. Once you figure out how to continue your education, you need to make sure the state approves it.
6. Consider further education
Although additional degrees are not required for family lawyers, it is a great way to explore additional career options. Earning a master’s degree in law can make you a candidate for high-level family law positions. Some of these programs allow you to specialize in family law, so you can expand your knowledge in this field.
