Th requirements to become a defense trial lawyer will vary by country. In the United States, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree and then a Juris Doctorate degree. A trial lawyer must then become licensed in the state where he or she wishes to practice law. Once licensed, a trial lawyer should then gain experience as a civil litigator representing defendants.
A defense trial lawyer represents defendants throughout the civil litigation process. A civil litigation case begins when the plaintiff files a complaint alleging some wrongdoing by the defendant. Common examples include a personal injury lawsuit, a debt collection lawsuit, or breach of contract dispute. Defense trial lawyers are attorneys who specialize in civil litigation cases that are likely to result in a trial.
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In the United States, the first step that must be taken to become a defense trial lawyer is to complete undergraduate school and receive a bachelor's degree. Contrary to popular belief, there is no "pre-law" major; an undergraduate student may choose any major he or she wishes. Popular undergraduate majors for law school applicants include English, political science, philosophy, and business.
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After completing undergraduate school, the next step necessary to become a defense trial lawyer is law school. In the United States, law school is traditionally a three-year program culminating in a Juris Doctorate degree. During law school, anyone wishing to focus on defense trial work should take advanced trial practice as well as participate in Moot Court if possible. In addition, a law student should seek out internship opportunities that offer practical experience in a trial court setting such as with the local prosecutor's office.
Once all the educational requirements have been met, you must become licensed to practice law in order to become a defense trial lawyer. Each state determines its own licensing requirements and procedures, but all candidates must pass the bar examination as well as the multi-state professional responsibility examination. A character and fitness interview or background check is generally required as well.
Once licensed, a lawyer is ready to become a defense trial lawyer. Practical experience can be gained by seeking employment with local or state offices or private firms that handle a large volume of trial work. Again, the local prosecutor or public defender's office may be a good starting point. Although those cases will be criminal in nature, a beginning lawyer can gain a tremendous amount of actual trial experience in a short amount of time, which can later be translated to civil defense work.