How to Be a Corporate Lawyer
As a corporate lawyer, you are responsible for representing the interests of companies in the field of business. Your responsibilities range from advising companies on legal matters to representing them in court, if necessary.
A successful career as a corporate lawyer requires a high-quality education, excellent negotiating and writing skills and an understanding of the corporation’s industry. Those who want to become corporate lawyers need to start early on in their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. This can include a degree in business, finance, law or political science. It’s important to develop strong relationships with advisors in your academic program and with legal peers who can recommend you for positions after graduation.
Applying for a juris doctorate, or JD, at an American Bar Association-accredited law school is the next step in becoming a corporate lawyer. This will allow you to earn your degree and prepare you for the bar exam, which you’ll need to pass in order to get licensed to practice law.
The bar exam is a standardized test that tests your knowledge of the laws and procedures of the United States. It’s administered twice a year and broken into three parts. It’s recommended you take the exam in the state where you plan to practice law.
Graduate from an accredited law school and secure a position at a firm or company with a legal department. Many law firms offer internships that give you experience and build your professional network in the field.
As you progress in your career, you’ll learn about a wide variety of business transactions and laws that govern them. This includes researching and drafting contracts, negotiating deals, reviewing agreements, conducting due diligence and ensuring that all parties are complying with applicable law.
You’ll also be tasked with reviewing and updating the articles of incorporation, bylaws and corporate charters that govern a corporation. This is a crucial task because it ensures the legality of the corporation’s basic operations, including the ability to operate as a private company and comply with government policy regulations and statutes. Recommended this site medical malpractice lawyer .
Guiding managers on regulatory and compliance matters is another part of your job as a corporate lawyer, which can involve educating employees on company policies and guidelines, such as OSHA regulations. You can also administer training workshops to educate managers on how to keep their businesses compliant with state and federal laws.
Depending on the size and scope of your work, you may be responsible for assisting companies with mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting, intellectual property rights, tax, bankruptcy, employment or securities law. You can also advise corporations on restructuring their assets, such as changing the equity or debt in their capital structure to improve profitability and reprioritize their resources.
A good corporate lawyer must be able to communicate well with both clients and colleagues. Whether you are communicating with the board or other senior managers, it’s critical to be able to express yourself clearly and concisely while maintaining your integrity.