How to Become an Attorney in NYC

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, attorneys in the New York City metro area are the highest-paid in the nation. Here's how to become a lawyer in New York City.

1. Complete Undergraduate Education

To be admitted to a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association, you'll have to earn a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. While all majors are eligible for law school admittance, those interested in practicing law should consider concentrating in business, economics, history, political science, or related subjects.

2. Take the LSAT

The Law School Admission Test, commonly known as the LSAT, is available Saturdays and Wednesdays in June, October, December, and February. You'll need to submit your scores to the law schools you're interested in as part of the application process. It takes about 21 days to get your scores back, and you can take the test three times in two years.

3. Apply to Law School

For most ABA-approved law schools, you'll need to send official transcripts from every school you've attended along with letters of recommendation.

4. Attend Courses

If you attend law school in New York, you'll have 15 accredited programs to choose from, eight of which are in New York City or the boroughs. These programs comprise 83 semester hours that must be completed in between 24 and 60 months; an internship is also required.

5. Pass the Bar Exam

Once you've graduated from an ABA-approved school with a juris doctorate (J.D.), you'll be eligible to take the New York State Bar Exam. You may also take the bar after completing 28 credit hours of an ABA-approved program and spending at least four years of clerkship in a law office. If you have attended law school that was not approved by the ABA but practiced in another jurisdiction for five to seven years, you're eligible to take the New York Bar. Those who have completed the foreign equivalent of a U.S. approved program can take the New York Bar.

Once you've been admitted to the New York State Bar, you must complete at least 32 credit hours of continuing education in your first two years of practice. Because there is a large concentration of attorneys in New York City, new graduates often succeed in finding a job by joining a large, established firm. There are also many large companies and organizations in the city that hire attorneys to serve as in-house counsel.

William Doonan is a tax law and legal expert in New York.