How to Become a Law Professor
The law students of today need great law professors in order to become the lawyers of tomorrow. A lot of work is involved in becoming a law professor at a law school, but it is a profession that many legal professionals highly enjoy.
- Earn a Bachelor's degree. Attend a university to obtain your degree. Some schools have pre-law programs, but a student can get their degree in any major and still go to law school.
- Attend law school and earn a law degree. It usually takes three years to complete a law education and be awarded with a law degree. Most universities require that their law professors have a Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited school.
- Take the bar exam. Each state has their own form of the bar exam. It is required that a lawyer take the bar exam in the state that they plan to practice in. A law professor should teach in the same state that they are licensed in so they are familiar with that state's laws and statutes.
- Practice law as an attorney. A law professor needs to have hands-on experience as a lawyer. Join a firm that specializes in the type of law you are hoping to teach, such as family law, criminal law, or corporate law.
- Contact law schools. Talk to the person in charge of hiring professors, and tell them you are interested in a teaching position at their institution. Have a resume prepared listing your education, work experience, and any other highlights of your law career.