What is the best major for a lawyer?
Asked by: Garrison Christiansen I | Last update: February 20, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (16 votes)
There's no single "best" major for law school, as the American Bar Association (ABA) notes students come from nearly all disciplines; however, majors like Political Science, History, English, Philosophy, and Economics are popular because they build critical reading, writing, and analytical skills essential for law. The most important factor is choosing a challenging major you enjoy to achieve a high GPA, while developing strong research, writing, and logical reasoning abilities.
What should a lawyer major in?
You don't need a specific major to become a lawyer; law schools accept students from any undergraduate field, but popular choices that build key skills are Political Science, History, English, Philosophy, and Economics. The most important thing is to choose a major that develops strong critical thinking, reading, writing, and logical reasoning, as these skills are crucial for law school and the LSAT. A solid GPA and LSAT score from any challenging major are more important than the subject itself, according to the American Bar Association.
Which degree is best for a lawyer?
The best degree for a lawyer involves a bachelor's degree in any major that builds critical thinking, writing, and research skills (like Political Science, History, English, Philosophy, Economics) followed by a required Juris Doctor (JD) from law school, which is the professional degree to practice law in the U.S. While no single undergraduate major is mandatory, fields focusing on analysis, human behavior, and government, or specialized areas like STEM for patent law, offer strong foundations.
What did most lawyers major in?
Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students
- Political Science. Percentage of Students Admitted: 74.0% ...
- Economics. Percentage of Students Admitted: 78.2% ...
- History. Percentage of Students Admitted: 79.1% ...
- Philosophy. Percentage of Students Admitted: 75.5% ...
- English. ...
- Finance. ...
- Arts & Humanities. ...
- Psychology.
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.
Top 5 Majors to Prepare for Law School
Which lawyer is the richest?
There isn't one single "richest lawyer" as wealth fluctuates, but top contenders include Peter Angelos (personal injury, Baltimore Orioles owner) and John Morgan (personal injury firm founder) in the U.S., while globally figures like Wichai Thongtang (Thai corporate/investor) also rank high, with many building wealth through investments beyond just legal practice, like late Charlie Munger (Berkshire Hathaway, legal background) and Judge Judy (TV fame).
How difficult is law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
What GPA do you need for law school?
Law school GPA requirements vary significantly, but most schools look for at least a 3.0, with top programs often seeking 3.5+ (even 3.8+), while some less competitive ones accept below 3.0; your GPA, combined with your LSAT score, determines competitiveness, with high scores needed for elite schools and your undergraduate performance trend (e.g., upward) also considered.
What are 5 careers in law?
Five prominent legal careers include Lawyer/Attorney (representing clients in various specialties like corporate, criminal, or IP law), Paralegal/Legal Assistant (supporting lawyers with research and case prep, requiring less education), Judge (presiding over courts with a professional degree), Compliance Officer (ensuring organizations follow laws, often in finance/tech), and Mediator/Arbitrator (helping resolve disputes outside of court).
Is a pre-law major hard?
Even though a pre-law major can introduce you to the basic concepts that are taught in law school, the courses associated with it are not considered to be that difficult.
Is law school 2 or 3 years?
Most U.S. law school Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs are three years for full-time students, but part-time programs can take four to five years, and some accelerated programs might finish in two years, especially for international lawyers. The standard path after a four-year bachelor's degree is a three-year J.D. program to become a lawyer.
Who is the youngest lawyer?
17-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Person Ever To Pass the California Bar Exam. While most teenagers are still figuring things out, a teen named Sophia Park already achieved her dream of becoming an attorney at the age of 17.
Which law is easy to study?
Which is the easiest law to study? Intellectual property law and tax law are the easiest to study and practice in India.
What is the most accepted major for law school?
Common Undergraduate Majors for Pre-Law Students
- Political Science. According to LSAC data, about 18% of law school applicants major in political science, making it the single most common major by over 10 percentage points. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- English. ...
- Economics. ...
- History. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- Strategies for Choosing a Major.
Should I double major for law school?
If you are seriously interested in two different areas, a double major can allow you to dive into two subjects and show that you are up for the challenge, writes Gerald Bradshaw in the Chicago Tribune. “If you are serious about law school, a few clients suggested you go one more step and take a double major.
Do law schools like science majors?
Science. There are a variety of science courses that you can major in to increase your chances of getting into law school. Some of the most popular are chemistry, biology, ecology, animal sciences, natural sciences, and others.
How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?
To earn $500,000 a year as a lawyer, you need a strategic combination of specializing in high-paying fields (like corporate, IP, or plaintiff-side personal injury/class action), mastering business development through robust lead generation (SEO, PPC, referrals), and potentially moving into leadership roles like Big Law equity partner or becoming a renowned expert/mediator in a niche, leveraging strong marketing and scalable firm operations rather than just billable hours.
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.
Who are the big 5 lawyers?
"Big 5" law firms usually refers to the top firms by revenue/size, often led by Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins, with others like DLA Piper, Baker McKenzie, and A&O Shearman frequently in the top ranks globally, though specific lists vary, sometimes including firms like Skadden, Sidley Austin, or the UK's "Magic Circle" (A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, etc.). The exact "Big 5" changes depending on whether you're looking at US-specific, global, headcount, or revenue metrics, but the consistent leaders are Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins.
Can a 2.7 GPA get into law school?
There is so much more that admissions committees consider! I had a 2.9 and got a 160 LSAT, I got into several schools in my area with scholarships. Granted I had a 3.8 grad GPA from a masters program (most schools don't care much about that), but yes, you can get in with a 2.7 just make sure you have a strong LSAT.
Is law school harder than med school?
Medical school is generally considered harder due to its intense, fact-heavy curriculum requiring massive memorization and dealing with life-or-death stakes, while law school focuses more on reading, critical thinking, and analysis, though both are rigorous and demand significant commitment. Med school involves vast scientific knowledge and clinical rotations, whereas law school builds analytical "thinking like a lawyer" through heavy reading, writing, and case application, culminating in high-stakes final exams.
What did Barack Obama get on the LSAT?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?
Yes, $400 an hour is a significant rate for a lawyer, often reflecting experience, specialization, and location, falling at the higher end of average rates ($100-$400+) but can be standard or even considered a "deal" for highly specialized work in major cities, while being quite expensive in other areas or for less complex cases. Factors like the firm's size, location (big city vs. rural), the lawyer's expertise (e.g., corporate, IP vs. family law), and case complexity greatly influence this rate.
Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?
Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.
What is the fail rate of law school?
How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions.