Can you get a law degree in 2 years?
Asked by: Aurelie Ernser | Last update: February 4, 2026Score: 5/5 (40 votes)
Yes, you can finish law school in 2 years through specific, ABA-accredited accelerated JD programs, like those at Drexel and Southwestern (SCALE), which condense the standard three-year curriculum into a faster pace, often by utilizing summer sessions and intense coursework to allow graduates to start practicing a year earlier and potentially save on costs, though it requires full-time dedication and strong academic standing.
What is the quickest law degree to get?
The fastest ways to get a law degree involve accelerated Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs, like two-year J.D.s (e.g., Southwestern Law's SCALE) or combined 3+3 programs with undergrads, letting you finish in as little as 3-6 years total (including undergrad), while specialized, non-traditional routes in California might technically offer faster paths but are difficult. For a quicker master's in law, Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs can be completed in about 12 months, but these don't qualify you to be a practicing lawyer.
Can you be a lawyer with a 2 year degree?
No; you need a bachelor's degree, which takes four years to obtain, and then three years of Law School; applicants without a bachelor's degree are not considered by Law Schools.
What is the shortest time to become a lawyer?
The shortest time to become a lawyer in the U.S. is around 6 years, using a 3+3 accelerated bachelor's/JD program, or 5-6 years with a fast-tracked JD, plus bar exam prep and passing, but an intense, year-round 2-year JD after undergrad is the fastest law school period, though 3 years is standard, with the absolute quickest involving California's Law Office Study (with a 4-year apprenticeship) or some states' bar exams requiring fewer prerequisites, but these are less common.
Is JD 2 or 3 years?
The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a three-year, full-time program that incorporates academic and practical learning to prepare one to practice law or work in a related field.
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Law School
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
What is the shortest law degree?
A legal certificate is another type of law degree available to students who want to work in law but do not aspire to become practicing lawyers. A legal certificate program is the shortest law degree and usually takes between three months to three semesters to complete.
Is 40 too late to be a lawyer?
No, 40 is not too old for law school; many older applicants successfully attend, leveraging life experience as an advantage, with a significant percentage of law students being 30 or older, and some older graduates building fulfilling second careers. While balancing family, work, and finances requires planning, law schools often value the maturity, dedication, and diverse perspectives older students bring, making it a feasible path for many.
Can I pass the bar without law school?
States That Allow You to Take the Bar Without Law School
In California, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, you can skip law school and still qualify for the bar exam. Each state has specific rules about supervision, study hours, and reporting requirements before you may sit for the bar.
What type of lawyer gets paid most?
The highest-paid lawyers are often in specialized fields like Patent Law, requiring science/engineering backgrounds, and Corporate Law, especially those advising major firms, plus Securities & Antitrust Lawyers, Medical Malpractice, and Intellectual Property (IP) Law, where high stakes and complex regulations drive huge incomes, particularly in BigLaw or in-house roles with bonuses.
What disqualifies you from law school?
What disqualifies you from law school often involves dishonesty, serious criminal history (especially crimes of moral turpitude like fraud), significant financial irresponsibility, or academic misconduct, all falling under the "character and fitness" evaluation, though a single minor issue usually isn't a bar if disclosed honestly and explained well; failure to disclose, lying on the application, or misrepresenting facts is often a more significant reason for denial or later disbarment.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
Can I finish a law degree in 2 years?
The traditional Juris Doctor program typically takes three years to complete. However, for working professionals or those seeking a faster track, some institutions offer accelerated 2-year law programs. Certain law schools allow their students to graduate in two years.
Do lawyers make $500 an hour?
For instance, lawyers in major cities like New York or San Francisco often charge upwards of $500 per hour, reflecting the market's demand for legal services in these areas. Conversely, attorneys in smaller towns may charge more modest rates, sometimes as low as $100 to $200 per hour.
Is it worth going to law school at 40?
Yes, going to law school at 40 can be very worth it, offering advantages like valuable life experience that enhances studies and career fulfillment, but it requires careful consideration of career goals, financial investment, and time commitment, as older students often find rewarding second careers, leveraging past skills for a new path in law. While you're in the minority, older applicants are common, and their diverse backgrounds enrich the legal field.
Which lawyer is easiest to become?
The easiest law to practice is often considered to be estate planning. This involves helping clients prepare for the distribution of their assets upon death or incapacitation, making it relatively straightforward compared to other legal fields.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?
Easiest Bar Exams to Pass for First-Time Takers:
Utah: Utah had the highest first-time pass rate in July 2023, with 94% of first-time takers passing the exam. (It's pass rate dipped to 69% in February 2024, but this is still higher than most other jurisdictions.) It also has a low passing score of 260.
What is the difference between a lawyer and attorney?
A lawyer is someone with a law degree, while an attorney is a lawyer who has passed the bar exam and is licensed to practice law and represent clients in court; therefore, all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys, a distinction that matters for courtroom advocacy. While "lawyer" refers to legal education, "attorney" signifies the official authorization (the license) to act as a legal representative in court, handle specific legal matters, and provide court-related services.
Can a 50 year old become a lawyer?
Is 50 too late to start a legal career? We get these questions all the time too – and the answer is YES you can become a lawyer in your 30s, 40s and 50s – and no, it's not too late!
Who is the oldest person to get a law degree?
There isn't one single "oldest law student" record, but notable examples include Alice Thomas, who graduated from law school at 79 in 2009, and Michael Kent Jones, who graduated at 74 in 2025, claiming to be the oldest man to do so in the U.S. Others like Australia's Joan Oliver, who graduated at 75 in 2021, and Jim Edwards, studying at 73 in 2014, highlight many people pursuing law degrees later in life.
What age do most lawyers start working?
First, very few lawyers are younger than 25, but roughly 13% of all American workers are. Second, many lawyers work past age 65.
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
What does LLB stand for?
LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus, the Latin term for Bachelor of Laws, an undergraduate law degree common in Commonwealth countries, equivalent to a US Juris Doctor (JD) in its professional function. The double 'L' in LLB comes from "Legum," the Latin plural for law (lex), used to indicate the plural form.
What is the hardest subject in a law degree?
The hardest law school subjects vary, but Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Property are consistently cited as top contenders, especially in the first year, due to abstract concepts, complex rules, and interconnected details. Advanced courses like Federal Courts, Tax Law, and Evidence are also known for their difficulty, involving dense statutory interpretation, complex codes, and intricate rules.