Many people in the United States see a Juris Doctor (JD) as the ultimate gateway to a career in law. However, it’s important to understand that earning a JD, while a crucial step, does not automatically make someone a lawyer in the traditional sense. The journey from obtaining a JD to becoming a licensed attorney involves several complex steps, and this process is about more than simply holding a degree.
To fully appreciate the nuances, we need to dig into the historical, philosophical, and institutional dimensions of the legal profession in America, and understand how the JD fits into this broader context. Along the way, we’ll also address the practical challenges that law graduates face in their transition from academic study to legal practice.
The JD: A Starting Point, Not an Endpoint
The Juris Doctor is often treated as the defining credential in the legal world. It signifies that the individual has undergone rigorous legal training and is well-versed in key areas of law, such as contracts, torts, constitutional law, and civil procedure. But what many don’t realize is that the JD is not designed to fully prepare someone for the practical demands of being a lawyer.
The roots of this distinction go back to the late 19th century when legal education shifted under the influence of figures like Christopher Columbus Langdell, the dean of Harvard Law School, who introduced the case method of legal study. This method emphasized legal theory over practice, encouraging students to focus on appellate court decisions rather than the hands-on skills needed to navigate real-life legal situations.
Today, most JD programs still adhere to this model, prioritizing legal reasoning and critical thinking over practical experience. Graduating with a JD means one has developed the intellectual foundation necessary to think like a lawyer, but not necessarily the skills required to practice law. In fact, many JD graduates find themselves ill-equipped to handle the practicalities of legal work after they leave school, hence the growing demand for post-graduate legal training programs and clinics designed to bridge this gap.
Passing the Bar Exam: More than Just a Test
The next step after obtaining a JD is passing the bar exam, which serves as the primary qualification for practicing law in the United States. However, the bar exam is more than just a hurdle; it functions as a form of professional gatekeeping that serves two purposes: (1) ensuring that prospective lawyers possess a minimum standard of legal competence, and (2) protecting the public from individuals who lack the necessary skills and knowledge to provide legal services.
The exam itself is often grueling, combining state-specific essays with the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), a multiple-choice test that covers broad legal principles. There’s also a Multistate Performance Test (MPT), which evaluates practical skills like drafting documents, and in many states, the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), which covers legal ethics.
But despite this intensive process, passing the bar doesn’t necessarily make someone ready to practice law. Some criticize the bar exam for its focus on memorization and issue-spotting over real-world skills like client counseling, negotiation, or courtroom advocacy. What’s being tested is often theoretical legal knowledge, not the hands-on proficiency that many legal professionals need in their daily practice. In essence, passing the bar is a necessary step, but it does not automatically translate into professional competence.
The Lawyer’s Identity: A Matter of Practice and Responsibility
So, if a JD and passing the bar don’t make someone fully competent to practice law, what does it mean to actually become a lawyer? This is where the concept of professional identity comes in—a lawyer is not just someone who understands the law, but someone who takes on the responsibilities of upholding justice and serving clients within the legal system.
Being a lawyer is about more than just winning cases or mastering legal doctrine; it’s about ethical decision-making, client advocacy, and navigating the complexities of the legal system in a way that upholds societal values. Lawyers are entrusted with an immense amount of power—power that can shape lives, influence policy, and impact communities. With this power comes a responsibility to exercise it judiciously and with an understanding of the broader social consequences of legal action.
The American Bar Association (ABA) and other legal organizations stress the importance of professional responsibility as a cornerstone of legal practice. Courses in ethics and professional responsibility are mandatory in law schools, and they form a significant part of the bar exam itself. However, ethical decision-making is a learned practice, not something that can be fully absorbed in a classroom setting or tested by a multiple-choice exam. It’s developed through years of experience, mentorship, and reflection, making the process of “becoming” a lawyer a dynamic and ongoing one.
The Lawyer’s Role in Society: Power and Responsibility
Another critical aspect of lawyering that goes beyond the JD or the bar exam is the lawyer’s role in society. Lawyers do more than represent clients in court—they are key actors in the preservation of social order, defenders of individual rights, and facilitators of justice. This places them in a unique position, as both professionals and public servants.
Historically, lawyers have been seen as gatekeepers to the legal system, mediating between individuals and the power structures of government, corporations, and institutions. As a result, the legal profession enjoys a privileged position in society, but it also carries the heavy burden of ensuring that justice is accessible to all. This broader societal role adds another layer of complexity to the question of what it means to be a lawyer.
For instance, public interest law and pro bono work are crucial components of legal practice. Many states require licensed attorneys to perform a certain number of pro bono hours each year. These obligations reflect the belief that lawyers should not only serve paying clients but also contribute to the larger community, particularly to underserved populations who might not otherwise have access to legal representation.
What Happens After You Become a Lawyer?
Once a JD graduate passes the bar and becomes a licensed attorney, the journey is far from over. The first few years of legal practice are often described as a continuation of one’s legal education, a period during which new lawyers finally learn how to apply the theories and doctrines they’ve studied to the real-world scenarios they’ll face on a daily basis.
This period of “practice maturity” often involves working under more experienced attorneys, gradually developing skills in client management, case strategy, and courtroom procedure. It’s a time for new attorneys to learn from their mistakes and refine their approach, often under the mentorship of seasoned legal professionals who guide them through the complexities of practice.
The identity of a lawyer continues to evolve long after they’ve passed the bar. The law is a living entity, constantly changing with new legislation, court rulings, and societal developments. Staying competent requires ongoing education and professional development, which is why many states mandate continuing legal education (CLE) for practicing attorneys. A lawyer’s journey, in other words, is a lifelong process of growth, learning, and ethical reflection.
FAQs About Becoming a Lawyer After Earning a JD
1. Does having a JD mean I’m a lawyer?
No, having a JD is necessary but not sufficient to become a lawyer. To officially practice law, you must also pass the bar exam in the jurisdiction where you want to work and meet any other licensing requirements.
2. What happens if I don’t pass the bar exam after getting my JD?
If you don’t pass the bar exam, you cannot legally practice law as an attorney. Many individuals retake the bar, often after additional study or tutoring. Some also choose to pursue alternative careers where a JD is useful but bar admission isn’t required, such as legal consulting, academia, or policy work.
3. Can I use my JD without becoming a practicing lawyer?
Yes, many JD graduates work in fields like corporate compliance, human resources, lobbying, or nonprofit management. A JD provides a strong foundation in critical thinking, contract analysis, and regulatory compliance, which are valuable in many industries.
4. What’s the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
In the U.S., “lawyer” and “attorney” are often used interchangeably, but technically, a lawyer is someone trained in law (someone with a JD), whereas an attorney is a lawyer who has passed the bar exam and is licensed to practice law.
5. How long does it take to go from earning a JD to becoming a lawyer?
After earning a JD, it can take anywhere from several months to over a year to become a licensed attorney, depending on when you take the bar exam and whether you pass it on your first try. Some people may take additional time if they fail the bar or decide to delay taking it.
6. What is the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)?
The MPRE is a separate test from the bar exam that evaluates an individual’s understanding of professional ethics. Many states require you to pass the MPRE before you are admitted to the bar.
7. Do all law graduates work in traditional legal fields?
No, many law graduates use their JD in non-traditional legal roles or in careers entirely outside the legal profession. The analytical and research skills developed during law school are highly transferable.
Conclusion
Becoming a lawyer is far more complex than simply earning a JD. The JD is just the beginning of a journey that includes passing the bar, honing practical legal skills, and developing a sense of ethical responsibility toward clients and society. For those who choose to pursue the path to becoming a licensed attorney, the bar exam is an important hurdle, but it’s just one part of a much larger process. Lawyering, in the truest sense, is about ongoing professional growth, an ever-developing ethical commitment, and a deep understanding of the lawyer’s role in shaping justice within society.
