The Legal Profession

Pursuit of a career in the legal profession involves commitment to a lengthy and rigorous process of specialized education. Certification in the legal profession begins following completion of a four-year undergraduate degree and three years of law school. A juris doctorate (J.D.) degree is awarded by law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). This academic credential paves the way for a career as a lawyer. Next, passing the bar examination is a precondition for obtaining a license to practice law. Because each state has its own bar association, lawyers must pass the examination administered in the state(s) in which they plan to practice. Members of the legal profession are expected to adhere to ethical standards and are prepared to apply their specialized knowledge and skills in the interest of others. Consequently, many states require passage of an ethics examination in order to practice law (see the specific requirements for New Jersey).

According to the ABA National Lawyer Population Survey, as of Jan. 1, 2023 there were 1,331,290 active lawyers in the U.S.  Since 2000, the number of lawyers nationwide has grown roughly 1.3 percent a year.  Two states, New York and California, combined have 27 percent of the nation’s lawyers.

Knowledge of the law allows lawyers to pursue professional careers in a great variety of organizational settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a comprehensive description of lawyers’ occupational pursuits.  Many serve as legal counsels for businesses or government agencies.  Elected officials in the U.S. frequently have law degrees.  For example, of the members of the 118th Congress of the U.S., 30 percent of House Members and 51 percent of Senators have careers that include a law degree and the practice of law.

Some lawyers become judges and preside over federal and state courts.  State and municipal judges are appointed or elected civil officers.  Federal judges who serve on U.S. district courts, U.S. courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court of the U.S. are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as stated in Article III of the Constitution (hence, they are referred to Article III judges).  Presidents have great discretion in the selection of judicial nominees who have life-time terms following confirmation.  An excellent review of the President’s role in the appointment of federal judges has been prepared by the Federal Judicial Center, a Congressionally-established research and education agency of the judicial branch of the U.S. government.