Attorneys are lawyers who specialize in a particular field of law. An attorney or lawyer is usually a legal person who practices alone, as an attorney in law, lawyer-in-law, solicitor, barrister, at law, civil law notary, and barrister. In Canada, lawyers are known as barristers.
a free-lance basis
Attorneys are attorneys that deal with court cases and other legal matters. An attorney can appear in court as a prosecutor, defense attorney, or legal advisor. Some attorneys offer their services on a free-lance basis while some work in the institution of marriage, divorce, adoption, property settlement, or criminal law. Attorneys can act on behalf of individuals or groups. They can also work on a contingency basis for some clients.
the state bar exam before becoming licensed
To practice legally, an attorney must receive formal education and pass the bar exam. Attorneys who have attended bar exams and gained experience are referred to as licensed lawyers or attorneys. Most attorneys begin their legal careers by being admitted into a state university. Some states also require an attorney to be a member of the American Bar Association. The requirements to become an attorney are different from state to state, and an attorney must take the state bar exam before becoming licensed.
a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree
The first step to becoming an attorney is to obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Attorneys who complete this degree program are eligible to practice law. Some states allow students to choose to attend law school on a part-time or full-time basis. Other states require students to pass the state bar exam before entering the Juris Doctor program.
the state certification exam
Attorneys can obtain the J.D. after passing the bar examination. Attorneys may choose to attend a law school for several years. After law school, they may choose to continue attending classes through the bar association. For most states, attorneys must pass the state certification exam to be eligible to practice. Also, each state may establish its own licensing boards for attorneys.
the attorney to practice law
Attorneys practicing in the state of Massachusetts enjoy some of the same benefits as attorneys practicing in other common law jurisdictions. Massachusetts has common law privileges, which allow the attorney to practice law in all areas where the attorney practices in Massachusetts. This includes cases dealing with criminal law, civil law, and corporate law. The same privileges are in place for attorneys who represent clients in the common law jurisdictions of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. In addition to privileges, attorneys may also be permitted to practice in the state by having graduated from college in Massachusetts. While these differences may vary by state, they are significant.