A few major steps for becoming an attorney in L.A. consist of getting into a law school and then registering with the State Bar Association. Passing the First Year Law Students' Exam and the California Bar Examination is required to be able to practice law.

Before you decide to join a law school, think why you want to become a lawyer. Becoming an accomplished lawyer can take several years even after getting a law degree. If you have the will and the right reason to be an attorney, it can be a highly rewarding career choice. With a career in law you can help people or businesses. Join the legal department of government, prosecute criminals or just teach law.

What kind of lawyer do you want to become?

Like the medical profession, there are specific lawyers for specific types of cases, specializing in their respective fields. There are criminal, tax and divorce lawyers and those that prepare mortgages and wills or even those that help protect the environment.

The first step of getting into a law school for becoming a lawyer in L.A. is to prepare for the Law School Admission Test. This test is a measure of your reading and verbal reasoning skills. As the admission to a law school is a lengthy and a highly competitive process, the effort you put in for the preparation determines your chances of getting selected.

Apply to at least a couple of law schools. Choose the law schools according to your financial health, goals and academics. The law schools approved by American Bar Association or accredited by Committee of Bar Examiners have high standards regarding their curriculum and teaching staff.

Once you gain admission to a law school you have to register with the State Bar Association within 90 days of starting the school. Then you have to take the First Year Law Students' Exam if it applies to you. Students of certain law schools are exempted from taking the exam. You have to undergo moral screening during your course. Your background and moral character is checked. Honesty, respect for law and rights are some of the moral values considered. For becoming a lawyer in L.A., you must receive a positive moral character certificate.

After completing your first year at a law school you have to pass a national ethics examination that is the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. And finally the California Bar Examination which has to be passed before you can start to practice law in LA.

Can you become a lawyer in L.A. with no law school degree?

Yes, you can. You can study at an unaccredited law school or through registered correspondence. You can read the law in a law office without going to a law school. Pass the First Year Law Students' Examination and complete at least four years of law study in a law office of a lawyer in active practice of law.

Whichever way you choose to become a lawyer in LA, the effort you put in for your studies determines how successful you are going to be in your profession.