1. The Path to Become an Attorney Randy Frack

2. What exactly is an attorney? Essentially, an attorney is any licensed man or woman who actively practices law and acts for another person in business or legal matters A form of representation Fights against self incrimination

3. How do I get there? All those in the state of Michigan will begin and end in the same place Michigan requires five broad steps to become an attorney: 1. Get accredited undergraduate education 2. Take the LSAT 3. Find a law school 4. Participate in the Michigan Bar Exam & 5. Admittance to the Michigan State Bar

4. Accredited Undergraduate Education The board of law examiners in Michigan requires that applicants participate in at least two years of undergraduate education However, the ABA and its accredited schools require four years Most people believe there is a pre-law major, this is incorrect No such thing exists, only sets of classes that are believed to help in admittance to law school exist These may include majors in history, English, philosophy, political science, criminal justice, and many more. After an accredited major is obtained, one should begin preparing for the LSAT

5. Preparing and Taking the LSAT The LSAT is the Law School Admission Test Tests preparedness for law school Tests over analytical and logical reasoning, as well as reading comprehension Requires a non-scored writing sample for future law schools to review Michigan allows undergraduates to sit for this test two times a week, four times a year The lowest possible score is a 120 The highest possible score is a 180 Scores are received within 14-21 days Upon passing, students can look and apply to law school!

6. Find and Apply to Law School Michigan requires a law school that is “qualified and reputable under Michigan law” Upon admittance, law students gain insight on the following subjects: Wills & Trusts Constitutional law Criminal law and procedure Corporations Evidence Trial procedure in state and federal court & many more Towards the end of law school, students complete an internship in a real life lawyer setting in which they will be graded by a supervisor and law school faculty member on their retention of knowledge and their performance Once this internship is finished and law school is complete, one is granted their Juris Doctor degree and is now ready to sit for the Michigan Bar Exam!

7. The Michigan State Bar Exam The Multistate Responsibility Exam is preliminary to the bar exam Includes the Multistate Bar Exam which tests on constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, evidence, and insurance laws. Now, one can sit for the Michigan Bar Exam Examinees then register with the National Conference of Bar Examiners, Michigan’s character and fitness board, get fingerprinted, and then submit all of this information to the Michigan state bar Scores are sent eight weeks later If an examinee passes, he or she will be notified of when and where to make their oath to the court and enter into the Michigan bar. Fully licensed at this point and ready to begin practicing law!

8. What Can I do Now? Attorneys can choose to practice privately, in an existing law firm, or they may choose to represent the state or federal government There is no requirement for lawyers to retain their law license or admission to the Michigan bar Michigan does not require that lawyers continue their legal education either; however, those who wish to do so can by obtaining special certifications. For example, to practice social security disability, lawyers have to obtain a certification from the national board of legal specialty.

9. The Path is Clear Once students finish their high school career, he or she will: Obtain a major in a law related course (i.e. English or Criminal Justice) Take the Law School Admission Test (& pass) Find and apply to law school Sit for the Michigan Bar Exam And then finally, students are not students anymore, and they are lawyers