How Long Does a Family Law Lawyer Go to Law School

As a family law attorney I am frequently asked about the length of time I went to school to become an attorney and what sort of special education was needed to specialize as a family law lawyer. Below is a quick exploration of the requirement needed to become not only an attorney, but a family law attorney.

Pre-Law Education

Prior to attending law school the potential attorney must possess a bachelors degree. It is not necessary to have any other graduate degrees or to adhere to any single major subject. Though some subjects are traditional for law school preparation - history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business - many law students study art, music, science, math and the like. Though undergraduate degrees can be achieved in four years, and sometimes less, it is not unusual for the process to take five or six years.

Law School

A full-time law student typically completes law school in three years. Part time students usually graduate in four, though five years is not unheard of. While law school is generally three years for a full-time student, it is possible to graduate a semester early - in 2 ½ years - if the student takes summer classes. However, as this will cut into precious internship opportunities, the experience of which is far more important than early graduation, it is a rare occurrence.

Law School 'majors'

Law school for the family law attorney is generally no different from the law school experience of other attorneys. Unlike an undergraduate degree, law students are not required to have a 'major' and law schools do not even offer them, in the traditional sense. What law schools do offer, though, are certifications in a variety of subjects and while individual schools may require certification in a given topic prior to graduation, the American Bar Association, does not. In addition to certificate programs, in some instances students are allowed to dual-enroll the law school and a master's program so that upon graduation they may receive a masters and a law degree at the same time, though dual-enrollment will lengthen the time spent in law school.

Graduate Law Degree

While there are no law school majors, a law school graduate can receive a master's of law degree. Master's of law degrees - otherwise known as L.L.M.'s are very specific in scope, with subjects ranging from taxation to family and juvenile law. In general these programs are one year of post-law school work, though part-time students could complete them in two.

Certification after admission

Once admitted to the practice this does not mean that an education is over as most bar associations offer some sort of certification that would allow an attorney to become certified as a family law practitioner, though such certification is not necessary to practice family law.