The short answer to this question is no, but the long answer is a bit more complicated. The requirements to be a lawyer vary widely between individual and national governments and states. If you are interested in becoming a lawyer, barrister, or advocate, you should look up the laws that specifically apply in your region. In most areas, a national or regional organization oversees the practice of law, and representatives can provide you with the information that you need.
In general, you must pass a bar examination to work as a lawyer. The bar exam contains a written portion dealing with legal specifics, to ensure that the candidate knows the law. It also has a section about personal and legal ethics, and in many areas, it includes a background check to determine whether or not the candidate is morally fit to practice law. The bar exam is not open to everyone, however, and every regional bar association has specific requirement from candidates who want to sit the exam.
In most locations, someone can become eligible for the bar either by attending law school or by interning in the chambers of a judge or at a law office. This is not the case in all regions, but in most areas it is offered as an option. Especially for someone who is interested in becoming a judge, an internship may be a great way to prepare for the bar, as it provides practical education. If you want to be a lawyer, both law school and an internship are good ways to learn about the practice of law, and you may want to combine both in your legal education.
In many parts of the world, a law school is considered to be a form of graduate school, which means that law students already have an undergraduate degree. Law students are encouraged to get an undergraduate degree in any of a variety of subjects to enrich their minds and make their practice of law better. Some potential lawyers pursue an undergraduate degree in a subject relevant to the field of law that they want to practice. For example, a lawyer who intends to deal with the field of medicine might earn a pre-med degree, and a lawyer who wants to focus on environmental issues might major in environmental science.
After successful application and acceptance into a law school, the student will study for three to four years before being considered eligible for the bar. In most regions, the bar association also accredits law schools, so if you want to be a lawyer, make sure that you will be able to sit the bar after attending the school of your choice. Graduates of unaccredited schools cannot sit for the exam.
If you chose to pursue an internship, it is best to find a legal professional to work with for the entire four years required. A law firm is a great place to study to be a lawyer, as you can see the legal system in action. The firm may also offer you employment after you are admitted to practice law, which is a distinct advantage.
The scope of your license to practice law also varies, depending on where you certified. In the United States, for example, many states have reciprocal agreements with each other, allowing a lawyer from one state to practice law in another. In other instances, a lawyer is restricted to practice in his or her home state. International lawyers must pursue additional certifications and be admitted to the bar in at least one nation. As a courtesy, some nations allow lawyers from other countries to take their bar exams without fulfilling an educational or internship requirement, since the lawyer's foreign education and work experience are considered comparable.
