The Legal Profession
Field Overview
Generally speaking, lawyers advise clients of their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in personal and business matters. Therefore, one practicing law should inspire trust and confidence, and be tactful, compassionate, and sensitive to the needs of others.
A lawyer while interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations, must be versatile and sharp to the ever-changing social needs and attitudes in society, economically, socially and politically.
Nature of the Work
Lawyers represent individuals on trial, counsel individuals and businesses to their legal rights and obligations, interpret the law, and apply it to specific situations. To do this, a lawyer is continually researching information and dealing with people in a courteous, efficient manner with strict confidence concerning matters discussed. Lawyers write briefs, which must communicate clearly and precisely. They must think quickly, speak with ease and authority, and be thoroughly familiar with courtroom rules and strategy.
Pre-law Curriculum
The Pre-Law Advisors National Council states that the pre-law student should take "courses that lend themselves to the creation of a context in which law may be better understood, courses that augment communication skills and courses that sharpen analytical skills." While pre-law students are not required to take any specific courses, preparation for the LSAT and law school itself demand that they be able to analyze problems, to express themselves effectively on paper and in speech, to understand our society and how it works, and to grapple with an understanding of human nature.
The following courses (among others) offered at Springfield College are likely to provide opportunities to pursue those skills.
"The support you get while going through the program is really helpful. This includes a lot of the speakers that have come to Springfield College (often virtually) to give presentations on a variety of subjects relating to law.... The flexibility you have in terms of how many different classes there are that are relevant for aspiring law students is great as well."
- Remington Ferrari, current student in the pre-law advising program
