Family law attorneys assist their clients through some of the most life-altering experiences and emotional transitions in their lives, making their role both integral and significant in society.
Are You Considering Family Law Practice? Obtaining the Required Educational Qualifications Is Essential If so, find out more about entering family law by finding a Mentor and Volunteering for Firms
Education
First step to becoming a family law attorney: earning an undergraduate degree. Pursuing a program focused on family law can give you invaluable hands-on experience during school; however, remember that your GPA and LSAT scores will play a larger role than your major. Choose something enjoyable while meeting your career goals!
At law school, you will study the fundamentals of family law such as divorce, domestic violence, child custody and surrogate motherhood. Some schools also provide family law clinics which allow students to work directly with clients and build their skills.
Participating in a pre-law internship is another effective way to gain practical experience and build relationships that could open doors post graduation. You’ll also gain insight into whether this field of law is the one for you – continuing education is also vital, with family attorneys needing to keep abreast of current legal precedents and trends.
Experience
Aspiring family lawyers should seek experience through externships, practicums and clinics like New England Law’s Family Law Clinic that allow students to assist clients in various legal issues including filing restraining orders against domestic abusers and helping families gain custody.
Family law can be an emotional field and requires great empathy – yet its rewards are immense: family lawyers aiding clients during some of the toughest moments in their lives is deeply satisfying work.
Establishing yourself in family law school can be daunting. While a strong undergraduate degree and LSAT score are both necessary components, finding a mentor who specializes in your area of interest and taking as many classes can also help prepare you for the rigors of law school and determine whether it is right for you. You might find such guidance through family-law related student clubs, professors, or alumni of family law.
State Bar Exam
Family lawyers help their clients through some of the most emotionally charged and poignant times in their lives, often needing extensive legal knowledge as well as remarkable empathy in handling these delicate cases. Many who specialize in family law end up working at nonprofit organizations, small to mid-sized firms or government agencies afterwards.
Although marriage and divorce aren’t heavily tested on the Multistate Essay Exam, property division is. Marital assets typically become separate property upon divorce while gifts or inheritance received during marriage may remain marital property. Child custody decisions must always be made with consideration given to what’s in the best interests of the child and can only be modified in extreme cases such as changes in circumstances.
Each jurisdiction outlines their own requirements to take the state bar exam; in New York, students must pass both the bar exam and have an excellent moral character in order to become licensed attorneys. Any student with outstanding tuition payments, housing payments or library fines will have their graduation application held until all outstanding debts have been resolved – which could prevent them from sitting for the bar exam, having their transcripts released or receiving their diploma.
Networking
Family law professionals rely heavily on referrals from fellow attorneys when seeking new clients. If other lawyers trust your expertise in handling their cases, they are likely to recommend you for more.
One way of building this network is to seek mentors, such as professors or members of law-related student clubs. You could also attend seminars and conferences focused on family law.
Family law attorneys may choose from various settings for employment; most often working for small to mid-sized firms or government agencies. Others might work for state or regional associations advocating on behalf of domestic violence survivors. Some even opt to establish their own law firms while working at nonprofit organizations or teaching family law; additionally there are lawyers who specialize in serving specific groups such as men, women, or LGBTQ+ families.
