What’s the easiest way to get certified to practice law in the U.S.?
2026-04-30 19:41 UTC
Replies (12)
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@barkybeak@lemmy.zip 2026-04-30 21:13
Become an LLC. LLC’s have more rights than citizens. You start an LLC, name it something lawyer sounding like the last names of your friends but never call it a law firm. Call it civil representation. Then when you get a customer not a client you can send letters on their behalf. Most people freak out when they get an official looking letter with a “law name” on it. I’m not talking about the minority of people on here, but the majority of the population. As long as you disclose your LLC does not practice law and you are simply “representing them” in a very general and broad sense you will be good.
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@disregardable@lemmy.zip 2026-04-30 19:48
If your goal is not to be a lawyer, I would try connecting with non-profits in your area/state and asking if they know anyone who is seeking volunteers. Otherwise you have to go to law school, spend years studying, pay money.
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@Kolanaki@pawb.social 2026-04-30 20:23
I would have thought you can just take the bar exam, but uh... Apparently, at least in California, you do need at least 4 years of education in law provided by an accredited school or with a judge before you can even apply to take the exam. Well shit. Those movies about random dudes just taking the bar out of nowhere and becoming lawyers are bullshit.
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@Doom@lemmy.world 2026-04-30 20:15
The easist/cheapest/safest thing to do would be to retain a lawyer to write those scary legalese letters FOR YOU. They'd be from a law firm, the cost per hour to send a letter actually isn't as bad as you think, and retaining a lawyer is a nice thing to have as an activist in case something happens. A lot of lawyers don't even charge for the initial consultation and you can call your state's bar to get referrals if you aren't sure what kind of lawyer you need.
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@HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 2026-04-30 21:26
Go to law school, get a degree, pass the bar exam. Law school is going to be a lot faster than reading law.
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@ivanafterall@lemmy.world 2026-04-30 19:55
Obviously the right answer is, "probably don't do this," but in the spirit of actually engaging with it, I think you'd want a diploma mill that gives out law degrees with some sort of track record of being accepted, which will probably come down to the accrediting bodies the "schools" fall under.
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@dhork@lemmy.world 2026-04-30 19:55
Unfortunately, the vast majority of states require someone to go to law school (and pass the bar exam) before they can practice. So that is three years of graduate school after your 4-year undergraduate degree. Some states might still let you take the bar exam without actually going to law school, but they will require proof of some amount of work (years) assisting in a legal capacity. You won't be able to just sign up for the bar exam just because you want to take it. The cheapest option is to live in a state with a good public University system, be smart enough to get in, and hope their law school tuition doesn't break the bank. However, sending legal-sounding letters doesn't require a law degree at all. You only need that when you go to court. However, if you have been vibing your way through threatening legal sounding shit, and it does go to court, you may be in a world of hurt when no actual smarty-pants lawyer takes your case.
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@Witchfire@lemmy.world 2026-04-30 21:34
Donate $100Mil to the right person
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@Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 2026-04-30 20:13
Look into paralegal training. You wouldn't be able to represent anyone in court, but they do learn the basics of legal paperwork.
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@Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2026-05-01 06:20
heard KIM kardashian did apprenticship? which apparently isnt easy but lower cost than going to a law school. you still have take the bar test. she failed more than once or something. the easiest way to go to undergrad and do pre-law then study for entry into law school. better to get a comprehensive knowledge of law rather than do what kim did, thats why she failed. you cant practice law without a license legally, just like with MEDICINE and nursing. apprentichship might be the cheapest route, but not easy at all apparently, and you have to find lawyers/law firms which has these programs.
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@stoly@lemmy.world 2026-05-01 05:35
Washington and another state (Vermont?) let you “sit for the bar”. You can just go take the exam and if you pass you are licensed and can practice law.
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@Hello_there@fedia.io 2026-04-30 20:48
So, there's nothing preventing you from making legal claims. As long as you're not saying/implying that you're an attorney, or accepting money for legal advice, I don't think youre breaking the law or being unethical. There is some additional weight from writing a letter form a legal office. But a well written letter citing statutes and threatening penalties and lawsuits could be as threatening. Open records law should be pretty clear - so you should be able to be pretty clear about what the agency's requirements and penalties are - even without a legal degree. Also, don't underestimate the power of showing up at a board meeting and being a pest by saying the agency is breaking the law.