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Step-by-step guide to becoming a lawyer
Although there are several paths to becoming a lawyer, there are 5 general steps that must be completed to become a lawyer.
American comedian Will Rogers once said that “the moment you read something you can’t understand, you can be sure it was written by a lawyer.” Will Rogers might be surprised how long it takes to develop the skills necessary to write in a way that only confuses people.
There are many different paths to becoming a lawyer, but they all tend to be long and uphill. Let’s explore some of these paths by looking at the top 5 steps to becoming a lawyer.
Step 1: Get a college degree
Law schools want whole students. Therefore, most law schools do not require you to study a particular subject (such as pre-law) as a student. In fact, there is some evidence that law schools prefer students who specialize in areas other than pre-law.
That said, attorneys interested in becoming intellectual property attorneys should seriously consider developing technical training (for example, specializing in engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, or computer science).
While law schools do not require you to study a particular subject, the vast majority of law schools require you to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
There is at least 1 ABA-approved law school (Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley School of Law) that will admit “exceptional students” who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. However, the school cautions that many state bar associations will not allow a student without a bachelor’s degree to take the bar exam.
Step 2: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
The LSAT is a standardized test administered several times a year by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at testing centers across the country.
All law schools require you to take the LSAT for admission. Law schools generally put a lot of emphasis on your LSAT score. For that reason, it is imperative that you take the LSAT seriously. Most admissions counselors recommend studying for at least 3 months.
You can enter your GPA and LSAT score into the LSAC Calculator to predict your probability of admission to each ABA-approved law school.
Step 3: Apply to law schools
Based in part on your LSAT score and GPA, you will need to decide and apply to law school.
There are a number of considerations that go into choosing which law schools to apply to, including:
- Your GPA and LSAT score
- Cost of attendance
- School location
- Bar passage rates
- Employment rates
- School specializations (including clinics offered by the school)
- Faculty
- Accreditation
When applying to law school, most law schools will require the following information:
- Application form.
- Application fee
- Personal statement
- 1 to 3 letters of recommendation
- Undergraduate transcript
- LSAT score
Tip: Most states require a degree from an ABA-accredited law school to take the bar and practice law (only taking the bar exam in Virginia, California and Vermont do not have this requirement). What’s more, graduates of unaccredited law schools have lower bar pass rates, lower starting salaries, and lower employment on average.
Step 4: Graduate from law school
Under the ABA Rules , a law student must complete no less than 83 credit hours to graduate from an ABA-approved law school. At least 64 of these credit hours must be in courses that require attendance at regularly scheduled class sessions or direct instruction from faculty.
Additionally, these 83 credit hours must be completed no earlier than 24 months and, except in extraordinary circumstances, no later than 84 months after the student has started law school. Consequently, it will take law students between 2-7 years to earn their JD (with most students completing law school in 3 years).
Step 5: Pass the bar exam
Before you can practice law, you must pass the bar exam for the state in which you want to practice.
So what is the bar exam?
The bar exam is administered through the Bar Examiners Board of the state in which you are applying.
Although the test may vary from state to state, the most common test setup consists of a 2-day bar exam that involves the following components:
- Multi-State Bar Exam (MBE). A 6-hour, 200-question, multiple-choice exam covering civil proceedings, contracts, lawsuits, constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, evidence, and real estate.
- Multi-State Essay Exam (MEE). It consists of 6 essay questions covering business associations, civil proceedings, conflict of laws, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, family law, real estate, secured transactions, lawsuits and estates and trusts.
- State specific tests. Some states include additional state-specific essays or multiple-choice questions.
- Multi-State Performance Test (MPT). It consists of two 90 minute skills questions that require: fact analysis, legal analysis and reasoning, problem solving, identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas, written communication, and organization and management of a legal task.
- Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). A multiple-choice test on ethics.
In addition, you must complete an extensive application and investigation of character and physical condition. Visit https://cobblawfirm.com/
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The Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited has dismantled the “Fantasy Dome,” owned by Fantasy Entertainment, which has been on the trade fair site since January 2018, to pave way for developers to complete the ongoing “Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project.”
The dismantled facility will be available to its owners for it to be relocated.
The tenancy agreement between owners of the Fantasy Dome and the Trade Fair Company Limited expired on 31 December 2023. Since then, all efforts by the management of the Trade Fair Company Limited to get “Fantasy Entertainment” to remove the “Fantasy Dome” from the Trade Fair site has proved futile.
The CEO of Fantasy Entertainment has stated in a Saturday March 17th interview that he has an injunction, but the Trade Fair Company Limited has VEHEMENTLY DENIED any such injunction. In fact the company states that it has not been served with any court processes and no injunction was served on the day of the demolition.
Ironically, access to the portion of the site where the “Fantasy Dome” is situated at the Trade Fair site is vital for developers to construct the power and water infrastructure for the project as well as the drainage system to serve the new Ghana International Trade Fair Center. The dome has hampered the progress of these works for approximately 12 months.
To this end, the Trade Fair Company Limited on Saturday, 16 March 2024, embarked on an exercise supervised by the Ghana Police Service with support from the National Security Ministry to take down the “Fantasy Dome” in order for construction works on the Trade Fair site to proceed freely.
Brief background
The Ghana Trade Fair Company (GTFCL) was established by an Executive Instrument (EI) in 1960 as a project to facilitate Ghana’s post-independence trade and industrialization drive.
The Executive Instrument 10 acquired a 239.92-acre land for this purpose and to showcase Ghana’s exports with the view to attracting investors into its fledgling economy.
From its origins in 1960, GTFCL has metamorphosed into a limited liability company strategically positioned to promote and facilitate trade in Ghana.
There have been attempts by successive governments to revive the company through various public-private partnership initiatives. These attempts have focused on redeveloping the entire center under various themes. The current redevelopment project is considered as a core part of President Nana Akufo Addo’s vision to position Ghana as a trade hub for West Africa.
The new Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project, when completed, would have a convention and an exhibition center, a technology hub, retail mall, commercial offices, hotel accommodation, and public realm spaces.
Infrastructure works and construction of the major exhibition center are now underway.
It is under the Akufo-Addo government that the company was revived to successfully undertake an aggressive redevelopment of the site. The management and board of directors of the company under this government have worked tirelessly to turn the company into a commercially viable business today and have secured funding from development partners to develop the site.
The new GTFC
The new Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project, when completed, would have a convention and an exhibition center, a technology hub, retail mall, commercial offices, hotel accommodation, and public realm spaces.
Infrastructure works and construction of the major exhibition center are now underway.
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Benjamin Garzy Mensah, popularly known as Mix Master Garzy is the Founder and CEO of 2MG Music Foundation, an NGO based in Ghana which is also affiliated with the 2MG Music record label.
Their inspiring mission of “Touching Lives through Music: was definitely achieved at the OTC Camp. On Ghana Independence Day, the music foundation arrived at the hospital loaded with instruments, ready to uplift spirits and bring smiles to the patients.
As the musicians played, OTC came alive with the soothing sounds of music. Children had the chance to showcase their talents through dance and song, creating a fun filled inclusive atmosphere. Performing artists rallied to show their unwavering support for the event such as Niashun, Akua Music and Mr Drew and the Band Masters who held the fort for the live entertainment.
The music served as a welcome distraction for the OTC members, reminding them of joy and resilience amidst their physical challenges. Each song imparted a message of hope, showing them, they were not alone in their journey towards healing. Beyond melodies, they forged connections and touched hearts, leaving a lasting impression on children, families and staff. Inspired, they pledged to continue spreading joy through music.
In commemorating Ghana Independence Day at OTC, 2MG Music Foundation embarked on a meaningful journey of compassion and solidarity. Through music, they brought smiles and hope to all, reminding us of the importance of supporting one another in times of need.
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