How to Become a Real Estate Lawyer? – [Step-by-Step Guide]

If you have been deliberating on becoming a real estate lawyer but a little bit confused, read on to gain insight. A real estate lawyer carries out numerous services for his/her clients. Some of the things they do are taking care of zoning matters, the sale and buying of residential and commercial real estates. They also engage in negotiation of leases on behalf of their clients.

Also, these groups are lawyers who have gotten their license to practice but the concentrate on the laws regarding real estates. Real estate lawyers do not usually appear in court for litigation instead they carry out transaction practices. Their areas of work are extensive that is why their career requirement is high. To become a real estate lawyer, you need extensive education with much more hands-on experience.

 Steps to Follow:

• Finish your Bachelor’s Degree

In the journey of becoming a real estate lawyer, you will start by completing your first-degree program. The first-degree program will enhance your communication, oral, and analytical skills which are necessary for entering law school.  It will take you up to four years to complete the bachelor’s degree course no matter the field. You are free to choose any major for your bachelor’s degree since law schools do not require a specific major. However, since your field of interest is the practice of real estate, take courses on business. Such courses like Economics or Business will be good majors for your bachelor’s degree.

• Take your LSAT

The LSAT otherwise called Law School Admissions Test is a must-pass in your journey to real estate law. The exam only takes half a day to complete. It is used to evaluate a person’s verbal reasoning and reading skills. Taking the LSAT is a must if you are aspiring to attend law school since it is one of their considerations. There is a need to prepare thoroughly for this test since it is a prerequisite for law school admission. You can even take prep courses which will help you to get familiar with the questions of LSAT.

• Complete your Juris Doctorate Degree

To get your Juris doctorate, you need three consecutive years if you study full-time. Certain law schools have provision for part-time studies especially for professionals who are working already. However, taking this program part-time is likely to extend the number of years you should attend it otherwise. In the first year of your JD, you will take courses that are regarded as the basics of your profession. Such courses like; torts, legal writing, and civil procedures are what you will do. During the second and third year of your program, you will need to take elective courses, clinical or internship experience. The elective courses you will need include energy law, civil rights litigation, and administrative law respectively. Don’t forget to focus your elective classes on real estate laws.

• Pass your Bar Examination

In most states, for you to qualify as a legal practitioner, you will need to pass the Bar exam. The Bar examination format is not something you can predict. Sometime, you will face many days of choices questions and essays. Some states even include the MBE {Multi-state Bar Examination} and MPRE {Multi-state Professional Responsibility Exam} of six hours.

• Start your Practice as A Lawyer

When you are through with law school and pass your Bar exam, you are qualified to practice immediately. You should concentrate on practicing real estate law or list it as one of your field of practice. You should start your practice early so that you can gain much experience in the field. Don’t forget, most job employers require many years of experience. Try to start your internship with some reputed firm like EstateLawTexas.com

• Earn the LLM or a Certificate

It is quite important to earn the LLM which is the Master of Laws which most Law Schools offer. It will be a great addition to your Juris Doctor Degree. Also, you can get the admission easily since most law schools offer the program to practicing attorneys. Moreover, getting your Master of Laws certificate in real estate without a graduate-level law degree is possible. The main focus of the LLM is on real estate finance, federal tax laws regarding real estate, and commercial real estate. The elective courses you need include litigation for real estate, affordable housing, laws on historic preservation, and construction laws. Moreover, depending on the law school you are attending your LLM, you may even get to work with legal firms that specialize in real estate.

Conclusion

After passing through the above-listed career program, and building your professional reputation, there is no doubt that you will become a Real Estate Lawyer.