Have you ever wondered who's behind the big mergers you read about in the Financial Times? Or who helps large corporations conduct business while staying within the law?
Welcome to the world of corporate law, a field at the heart of the business landscape, where corporate lawyers use their legal expertise to shape how companies operate, grow, and stay compliant.
They use their expertise to handle mergers, acquisitions and compliance. If you’re here, you probably already know that working in the corporate world appeals to you. The question is...how to become a corporate lawyer from where you are today.
*This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice.
Corporate law requires formal education to practice
You probably know this already, but you can't practice law without a degree. Any aspiring corporate lawyer needs to first earn a bachelor's degree (required for admittance to law school), then get into law school, graduate and pass the bar exam.
There are interesting career paths and job options in areas of corporate law, such as compliance, that don't require a law degree. But more on that later. If you want to be an actual lawyer—law school is a necessity.
Start with undergraduate education
Before you can become a corporate lawyer, you'll need a good undergraduate degree.
Most law schools don't require a specific undergraduate major. This is because many different areas of study can benefit attorneys, depending on what type of law they go on to practice. Political science, business, finance or economics degrees can all create a helpful foundation.
But I should note, whatever you major in, focus on courses that sharpen your writing, analytical and research skills. There are no areas of law where your ability to think critically and write well won't be essential.
Earn strong grades for law school admission
Law school admission committees look closely at your GPA.
Strong grades demonstrate discipline and intellect, both crucial for law school success. But don't just bury your head in the books! Extracurricular activities like student government, debate club and internships are highly beneficial and can set you apart.
These factors show your commitment to the legal profession. After earning a bachelor's degree, you must take the Law School Admission Test® (LSAT®) to apply for law school. Law school typically takes three years to complete, and you must earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree to practice law.
Communicate relevant experience in your application
Many people arrive at the decision to become a lawyer after they've already worked other careers, raised families, held down important community roles or spent years navigating our society's complexities.
Your experiences shape you—and everything you've learned or gone through can have relevance if you communicate it well. Don't shy away from what drives you.
Your application should tell a compelling story. Craft a thoughtful personal statement, secure strong letters of recommendation, and highlight leadership roles, internships or corporate experience to demonstrate your commitment.
Prepare thoroughly for the LSAT
The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is key to law school admission.
The test challenges your logical reasoning and reading comprehension skills, so start preparing early. These skills are crucial for legal research and analyzing complex legal documents.
Take practice tests, enroll in prep courses if needed, and make studying a part of your routine.
Get the most out of your law school
Law school can be expensive in both time and money. If you are going to do it--do it wholeheartedly.
Think about the type of corporate law work experience you want to have. One corporate lawyer might work in a massive global company handling international company mergers and navigating antitrust law.
A different corporate lawyer might work as a consultant and provide legal advice to help companies navigate intellectual property rights, contract law or other specific areas relevant to the business.
You don't have to make final decisions about your legal career at this point, obviously. But having an idea of where you want to go will help.
Research schools with connections to firms or corporations you'd like to work for and reasonable bar passage rates. Don't underestimate value and location.
Consider schools near main business hubs, as larger firms and in-house counsel offices at large corporations often recruit directly from these institutions. Being in a major city can offer more internship opportunities.
Coursework in law school
While in law school, take specialized courses in corporate law, securities regulation, tax law, corporate finance, intellectual property and business ethics. These classes will give you the knowledge and practice of basic legal procedures that you need to work for any corporate entity.
They will prepare you for the complexity of drafting legal documents and handling corporate matters as a corporate attorney.
Law school is demanding and requires high discipline.
But staying organized makes it manageable. Break large assignments into smaller tasks, create outlines of key legal concepts, avoid cramming and find a study routine that works for you. Consistent studying helps you master contract law, commercial law, property law and a general basis of knowledge.
Extra curricular activities in law school
Join a law review, moot court or legal clinics. These activities help to hone research, writing and oral advocacy skills, while legal clinics provide real-world experience assisting clients under supervision.
These opportunities let you draft legal documents, gain experience representing clients and build skills that employers in corporate law value.
Gain real-world experience in corporate law
Corporate law is very different from other aspects of law (ex: criminal law). Nothing will prepare you for the work as much as, well, actual work.
Seek internships at law firms or corporate legal departments. And don't underestimate the value of volunteering. Work experience is work experience--whether it's paid or unpaid, formal or informal.
Attending networking events, participating in legal clinics and connecting with alums will help you understand the realities of corporate law practice and can open doors you didn't even know existed. This is also why effective communication skills are essential.
Passing the bar exam to practice law
Before you can practice law, you'll need to pass the bar exam.
Each state has its version, but most include a multistate component plus state-specific sections. The multistate components cover corporate law, criminal law and other areas of practice law firms will expect their new hires to understand.
Start preparing early, create a study routine and schedule and stick to it!
Many students benefit from bar review courses, practice questions and study groups. (This is where all that networking you've been doing can come in handy!) Remember to pace yourself. Stay focused, but don't forget to rest. Burnout can slow down and derail even the best plans and intentions.
Upon passing the bar exam, you can apply for licensure and become a corporate lawyer in your state.
Corporate lawyers have many career options
Most corporate lawyers work at large firms, serve as in-house counsel for corporations or advise companies through boutique firms.
You could even start your career in government agencies overseeing corporate compliance.
Each path offers unique experiences and benefits with corporate transactions, regulatory matters and corporate governance.
As you gain experience, you can specialize further in securities law, contract drafting, corporate structuring or international business transactions. Building expertise and a reputation for excellence can lead to senior positions, including partnerships in a larger firm, C-suite legal professionals or corporate general counsel roles.
At this point, many students wonder what the corporate lawyer salary might be, which is fair--it's a big part of your career choice! But the truth is, your numbers will vary wildly depending on who you work for, where you work and what you bring to the table as an applicant.
Challenges of practicing corporate law
A corporate lawyer's role has its particular challenges. Corporate law is fast-paced and competitive. Many corporate lawyers experience long hours, tight deadlines and pressure to deliver flawless work.
If you want to become a corporate lawyer, you need a huge store of internal motivation--even a passionate interest in the field--to channel the work into your problem-solving mode.
Maintaining work-life balance in a legal career
Time management and setting boundaries are key.
Make time for exercise, hobbies, and relationships to recharge. Maintaining hobbies or relationships helps to reduce stress. Support can also make the journey easier.
How a business degree may support a corporate law career
As an instructor in the business department, I may be biased--but I think business is the perfect foundation for someone wondering how to become a corporate lawyer! The commercial awareness you gain in a business program will only help you down the road.
Plus, the essential corporate law communication skills of writing and presenting are a big facet of business coursework.
Becoming a corporate lawyer isn't easy, but it's a career path filled with opportunities to influence the company, navigate legal matters and business issues. Rasmussen University can help you build a strong foundation as you earn your bachelor's degree. Our programs focus on helping you develop critical thinking, communication and professional skills.
If you are still interested in corporate law after all this, you might just have what it takes! Check out Is Business Law a Good Career? Weigh These Pros and Cons.
1LSAT® is a registered trademark of Law School Admission Council, Inc.
2Rasmussen University does not offer a Juris Doctor (JD) program. It is important to check with your law school(s) of interest regarding specific education requirements
