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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 09/06/23
Are you interested in becoming a litigator? Read on to learn more about this profession, the skills needed to succeed, and its average salary.
Many legal specialties are popular due to personal interest and high salaries. One of these is litigation law. In it, students are exposed to litigation law in their first year of law school, where they learn about civil procedure and dispute resolution.
However, if you can't wait until your 1L year to learn more about litigation or simply want more information on this specialty, this guide has you covered. Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about becoming a litigator.
A litigator is a specialized lawyer who represents clients in legal disputes. They handle cases through court proceedings or alternative dispute resolution methods. Their role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities throughout the litigation process.
Their primary responsibility is to resolve disputes within the court system. These disputes involve cases from any legal specialty, but tort cases are the most popular. These lawyers argue on behalf of their clients, in or outside of the courtroom, and perform the following tasks:
Litigation cases can take years to complete, depending on their complexity! The pre-trial stage and gathering of evidence tend to make up the bulk of these cases, meaning litigation lawyers typically spend more time outside of court than inside it.
If you want to spend every day in the courtroom representing clients on new and exciting cases, this specialty may not fit you.
Now that you have a better understanding of what litigators do, we’ll discuss how to become a litigation attorney and the process. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to join this profession:
The first degree you must acquire is an undergrad from an accredited university. Your performance in your undergrad will play a significant role in any law school admission committee’s decision, so you must maintain a high GPA.
There isn’t a specific major that will give you an advantage in the selection process. You do not have to complete a pre-law major or one related to law. Choose a subject you’re interested in and take diverse electives to expand your skill set.
Law schools will assess you based on your academics, experiences, and accomplishments. To ensure you come across as a well-rounded candidate, you should aim to participate in at least a couple of extracurriculars throughout your undergrad. Consider gaining work, volunteer, research, and recreational extracurricular experience.
These activities will ultimately be used to create your law school resume, a fundamental part of your application!
Depending on the schools you’re applying to, you may have to write the LSAT or GRE. Choose whichever test will reflect your abilities best. Ensure you set your target score according to the median scores of previous successful students.
When choosing which law school to attend, you should focus on those that can provide you with valuable experience through clinics, externships, internships, and courses. For extra guidance in aligning your strengths with the right programs, consider assistance with law school applications to streamline your decision-making process. Most schools do not have litigation programs in particular, but they have dispute resolution or trial advocacy programs, which are considered the same.
Most law schools require students to complete at least one course in litigation during their first year, but you should go beyond this and gain as much exposure and experience in the field as possible.
The MPRE is a licensing exam required by most states. It tests students' professional and ethical standards to ensure they understand the rules and conduct they must follow as lawyers.
Students typically only need a few weeks to prepare for this exam, but they should still create a study plan to ensure they do not procrastinate and can hold themselves accountable!
To become a litigator, you must only complete a JD degree. After completing your law degree, you have the education necessary to enter the field as an independent attorney.
However, you can gain more advanced training by pursuing an LLM in Litigation Law, Dispute Resolution, or a similar degree. This degree will only take an extra year but can offer you more job opportunities and higher pay.
Before you can officially become a litigation attorney, the final step is passing your bar exam. Your passing score will depend on the state you’re in. Ensure you spend adequate time preparing for this exam, as it will be far more extensive than the ones you completed before and during law school.
Litigators require the following skills to be effective attorneys:
Aspiring litigation attorneys must also be patient with these types of cases. They often take a long time to resolve, and even when resolved, they typically require appeals if they involve large sums of money.
The average annual salary for a Litigator is $194,989. However, they can make up to $236,466 depending on their location and years of experience.
Litigators are currently in high demand, and this will likely continue as they handle diverse disputes and have a high degree of employment flexibility.
Due to the wide-ranging nature of their work, litigators can work in various legal specialties, including personal injury law firms, corporate firms, employment law firms, and more.
For any remaining questions on how to become a litigator, read on to find your answers.
No, a litigator is not the same as a lawyer, though all litigators are lawyers. A litigator is a specialized lawyer representing clients in court proceedings and legal disputes.
Litigators are required to complete an undergraduate degree and JD at the minimum, although several also pursue LLMS in Litigation or Dispute Resolution to enhance their training.
Yes, litigation is challenging, with many barriers for aspiring lawyers. Becoming a litigator involves extensive education requirements, including completing a bachelor's degree, passing the LSAT, obtaining a law degree (J.D.), and passing the bar exam in your province or territory.
The average annual salary for a Litigator is $194,989. Experienced litigators can earn up to $236,466 per year.
It will take at least seven years to join this profession: four years for an undergrad, three years for a JD, and an optional additional year for an LLM degree.
Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University is the number one school for litigation law.
Now that you know how to become a litigator and the extensive list of requirements and expectations involved in joining the profession, you should be able to decide if it's the right legal specialty for you!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
