Qualifications of a Licensed Attorney

In the United States, only licensed attorneys are authorized to practice law—i.e., represent clients in legal matters, render legal advice, and hold themselves out as lawyers. Note that for purposes of this blog post, the terms "lawyer" and "attorney" will mean the same thing: someone authorized to practice law.

Licensed attorneys need to have several qualifications. When hiring a lawyer, look for these qualifications to make sure you are talking to someone who is actually licensed to practice law.

First, the attorney typically needs to have earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Law school entails not only academic coursework, but also practical fieldwork and extracurricular activities such as law journals and mock trials.

Second, the attorney must be admitted to the Bar in one or more states. Each state in America has its own Bar admission requirements. These requirements typically include passing a rigorous Bar Exam and passing Character and Fitness (a lengthy background check to assess whether the aspiring lawyer is of good moral character). Once the candidate passes the Bar Exam and Character and Fitness, they will then swear an oath to defend the Constitution and to discharge their duties to the best of their ability. Only after this final step does the candidate become a fully licensed attorney.

Thickstun Luo LLC's licensed attorneys may be able to help you with your legal needs in Illinois or Indiana. Contact us today for a consultation.

LEGALESE is an online blog by Thickstun Luo LLC. The blog explains legal terms and concepts in plain English.

Disclaimer: The LEGALESE blog and the posts therein do not form an attorney-client relationship between you and Thickstun Luo LLC. Furthermore, this blog is not intended to render legal advice regarding your specific situation. You should consult an attorney for specific legal advice. Some content in LEGALESE blog posts pertain to state-specific legal rules and concepts that may not be applicable in every jurisdiction.