How to become a corporate lawyer

How to become a Corporate Lawyer

Becoming a corporate lawyer involves a combination of education, licensing, and skill development. Here's an overview of the pathway to the career:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

• Field of Study – While no specific major is required, degrees in law-related fields, such as political science, business administration, finance, and economics are advantageous. Additional options include history, philosophy, English, and writing.
• Focus – Develop critical thinking, research, writing, and communication skills.

Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

• Purpose – The LSAT is a standardized test required for admission to most law schools in the US (or the equivalent in other countries). It assesses logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and reading comprehension.
• Preparation – Many aspiring corporate lawyers take LSAT prep courses, use online resources, and practise with sample tests.

Attend Law School

• Degree – Earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the equivalent authority in your country.
• Coursework – Core courses include contracts, torts, constitutional law, civil procedure, and ethics. To specialize in corporate law, take elective courses like business law, contract law, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, tax law, and intellectual property law.
• Internships / Externships – Gain experience through internships or clerkships with law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies.

Pass the Bar Exam

• Requirement – After earning your J.D. degree, you must pass the bar exam in the state or jurisdiction where you intend to practise.
• Focus Areas – The bar exam tests knowledge of state and federal law, ethics, and procedure. Many corporate lawyers specialize in specific areas of law such as securities or tax law, which may require additional expertise.

Gain Work Experience

• Entry-Level Roles – Begin as an associate at a law firm specializing in corporate law or join a company’s legal department. Aim to climb the ranks from associate to partner.
• Tasks – Work on contracts, compliance, and business transactions under the guidance of senior lawyers.

Pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Corporate Law or Business Law (Optional)
An LL.M. degree allows lawyers to gain advanced knowledge in corporate law and can be particularly useful for those looking to specialize in niche areas like mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, or international business law.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Corporate lawyers are often required to complete ongoing education focused on new developments in the law, including changes in regulations, corporate governance standards, and business practices. Keep up with emerging areas like ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) law, fintech, and data privacy.

Certifications
Corporate lawyers can enhance their expertise and marketability by earning various certifications, which signal to clients and employers that they are highly qualified and specialized in their practice areas:

• ACC In-House Counsel Certification – Offered by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the ACC program is designed for lawyers who work in-house for corporations. It demonstrates proficiency in key areas of corporate law, such as corporate governance, contracts, and compliance. Requirements include a certain number of years of in-house counsel experience and successful completion of the certification exam.
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) – Offered by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), the CIPP certification is a widely recognized credential. It focuses on legal and regulatory frameworks related to data privacy and protection. Candidates must pass the CIPP exam.
• Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) – Offered by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB), this credential demonstrates expertise in legal and ethical compliance in corporate settings, including anti-corruption, risk management, and internal controls. The primary requirements are relevant work experience in compliance and passing the CCEP exam.
• Certified Contract Manager (CCM) – The CCM credential, offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), is a prestigious certification for professionals in the field of contract management. It validates an individual's expertise in the principles of contract preparation, negotiation, financial analysis, and compliance. Candidates must meet specific educational and experiential requirements and pass a comprehensive exam to earn this certification.
• Certified Legal Manager (CLM) – This certification, offered by the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), is a prestigious credential designed for legal management professionals seeking to validate their expertise in the core areas of legal administration. The certification focuses on topics such as financial management, human resources, operations, business management, and legal industry knowledge.
• Certified E-Discovery Specialist (CEDS) – The CEDS credential, offered by the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS), is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual's expertise in electronic discovery (e-discovery). This certification focuses on the core competencies of e-discovery, including the legal framework, project management, data preservation, collection, processing, review, and ethical considerations.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – Offered by the CFA Institute, this credential is valuable for corporate lawyers who wish to specialize in financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), or securities law. It enhances understanding of financial analysis, portfolio management, and corporate finance. Requirements include a bachelor's degree, passing three levels of exams, and relevant professional work experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) – While not specific to law, the PMP certification, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), can be beneficial for corporate lawyers who handle large projects, mergers, or acquisitions. It demonstrates competence in managing complex legal projects, deadlines, and teams. Requirements include a specific number of hours of project management education and experience, and passing the PMP exam.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations and associations also cater to the corporate law community:

• American Bar Association (ABA) – The ABA is one of the largest and most well-known legal associations in the United States. It offers a variety of resources and programs for corporate lawyers, including special interest groups within its Business Law Section.
• International Bar Association (IBA) – The IBA is a global organization that provides a platform for legal professionals worldwide, including corporate lawyers. It offers a wide array of resources on international business law.
• Business Law Section of the California Lawyers Association (CLA) – This organization serves corporate lawyers practising in California. It focuses on a wide range of business law issues including corporate governance, securities, and intellectual property.
• International Business Law Consortium (IBLC) – The IBLC is an international alliance of select law practices with impeccable reputations for service-oriented professionalism, providing clients with experienced counsel and innovative solutions.
• Society for Corporate Governance (SCG) – The SCG is a non-profit organization focused on corporate governance, offering support to lawyers who work with boards of directors, shareholders, and senior executives on governance issues.
• National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) – The NACD provides resources and support to corporate directors and lawyers advising boards of directors. It focuses on governance, risk management, and compliance.
• American College of Governance Counsel – This organization specializes in corporate governance law. It focuses on improving governance practices and advising boards on legal and regulatory issues.
• Tax Executives Institute (TEI) – For corporate lawyers who focus on tax law and regulations, TEI is an important resource for networking and education on corporate tax issues.