Table of Contents
Education Requirements
Becoming a personal injury lawyer requires a significant amount of legal education, including a four-year college degree, a law degree from an accredited law school, and passing the bar exam in the state in which you plan to practice.
You can major in any subject in college, but a degree in law, political science, business, or a related field is especially helpful in preparing for a career as a personal injury lawyer. A degree that includes coursework in areas like civil and criminal litigation, contracts, and tort law is also beneficial.
Licensing Requirements
After you have completed your college and law school education, you must pass the bar exam in order to be licensed to practice law. This exam is administered by the state or district in which you wish to practice, and typically consists of a written exam and an oral exam. You must also meet certain other requirements, such as completing continuing legal education courses, in order to maintain your licensure.
Gaining Experience
Once you have passed the bar exam and been licensed to practice law, you can begin gaining experience as a personal injury lawyer. This may include taking on internships with experienced personal injury attorneys, working as an assistant in a law firm, or volunteering with a legal assistance program.
Internship Opportunities
Many law firms offer internships to law students, which can provide valuable first-hand experience in the field of personal injury law. Internships may include researching legal issues, drafting briefs or motions, and attending court hearings or depositions.
Fees
Most personal injury lawyers take a percentage of the settlement or jury award, usually ranging from 33-40%. The fee percentage typically decreases if the case settles before going to trial. If a case does go to trial, the lawyer’s fee may increase if the lawyer has to pay for experts and other additional costs related to the trial.
To answer the questions:
How do I become a personal injury lawyer in the US?
In order to become a personal injury lawyer in the US, you must complete a four-year college degree, obtain a law degree from an accredited law school, and pass the bar exam in the state in which you plan to practice.
What percentage do most personal injury lawyers take?
Most personal injury lawyers take a percentage of the settlement or jury award, usually ranging from 33-40%. The fee percentage typically decreases if the case settles before going to trial. If a case does go to trial, the lawyer’s fee may increase if the lawyer has to pay for experts and other additional costs related to the trial.