How to become a defense attorney

How to become a Defense Attorney

Becoming a defense attorney involves a significant commitment to education, skill development, and legal training. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is mandatory before entering law school. While there is no specific undergraduate major required, many prospective defense attorneys choose degrees in criminal justice or political science. History, English, psychology, or sociology are also relevant areas of study. All of these subjects help develop critical thinking, writing, argumentation, and communication skills, which are essential for law school and legal work.

It’s also important to maintain a strong GPA and take part in extracurricular activities like debate clubs or volunteer work related to law, which can strengthen law school applications.

Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

• Purpose – The LSAT is a standardized test required for admission to most law schools in the US (or the equivalent in other countries). It assesses logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and reading comprehension.
• Preparation – Many aspiring defense attorneys take LSAT prep courses, use online resources, and practise with sample tests.

Attend Law School

• Degree – Earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the equivalent authority in your country.
• Curriculum – Foundational subjects include constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law, civil procedure, legal writing, and ethics. Individuals who plan on pursuing a defense attorney role should focus on courses in criminal defense, courtroom procedure, and trial advocacy. Part of legal training is moot court, which is a trial or discussion dealing with an imaginary legal case, performed by students in exactly the same way as a real case.
• Internships, Externships, or Clinics – These opportunities at public defender offices, law firms, or non-profit organizations offer hands-on training in criminal defense and legal advocacy.

Pass the Bar Exam

• Requirement – After earning your J.D. degree, you must pass the bar exam in the state or jurisdiction where you intend to practise.
• Focus Areas – The bar exam tests knowledge of state and federal law, legal ethics, and procedural rules. It is comprised of multiple-choice questions (Multistate Bar Examination), essay questions based on state law, and performance tests simulating real-world legal tasks.
• Preparation – Enroll in a bar review course and study intensively.
• In addition to passing the bar exam, jurisdictions may require candidates to take a legal ethics exam (such as the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination), take an oath, and undergo a background check as part of the licensing process.

Enter the Workforce
Many defense attorneys begin their careers by joining a public defender’s office or working at a private criminal defense firm. Handling pro bono cases to build a reputation and skills in criminal defense, trial preparation, and legal research is also common.

Build a Specialization (Optional)
Develop expertise in specific areas, such as white-collar crime, juvenile defense, or federal law, through additional training or experience. For a comprehensive list of specializations in the field, please see the What does a Defense Attorney do? section in the career overview.

Pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Criminal Law (Optional)
An LL.M. in Criminal Law is an advanced, postgraduate degree focused on the specialized study of criminal law and related areas. This degree is designed for law graduates and practising attorneys who want to deepen their knowledge, enhance their expertise, or pursue careers in specialized criminal law fields. The curriculum emphasizes advanced topics in criminal law and justice, including:

• Criminal theory and philosophy
• Comparative criminal law (studying systems in different countries)
• Criminal procedure and evidence
• International criminal law (e.g., war crimes, genocide)
• White-collar and corporate crime
• Cybercrime and emerging technologies in crime
• Human rights in the context of criminal law

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Defense attorneys must regularly participate in continuing legal education courses to stay current with changes in the law and maintain their license to practise.

Certifications
There are various voluntary certifications available to defense attorneys that demonstrate expertise in specific areas of criminal law and justice. Here are some prominent ones:

• Certified Criminal Trial Specialist – Offered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), this certification is targeted at lawyers who specialize in criminal trial work, including representing clients in prosecutorial or criminal defense roles.
• Certification in DUI / DWI Defense – This credential is administered by the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), which has been accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). It focuses on building expertise in defending driving under the influence cases.
• Juvenile Defense Certifications – Offered by state bar associations or other legal organizations, such as the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR), these certifications are targeted at attorneys who specialize in defending minors charged with criminal offense.
• Death Penalty Defense Certification – Various state bar associations or entities, such as the Defender Services Office (DSO), provide specialized training in death penalty defense and certify attorneys who are qualified to handle capital cases.
• Certified Forensic Lawyer – This certification is for lawyers who specialize in the intersection of law and forensic science, which is a critical element of the criminal justice system. Forensic scientists examine and analyze evidence from crime scenes and elsewhere to develop objective findings that can assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of crime or absolve an innocent person from suspicion. A forensic lawyer might earn a certificate from an organization accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences or the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute. This can help these professionals demonstrate their knowledge of forensic science in regards to the law.
• ABPLA Certification – The ABA-accredited American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA) awards this certification to candidates who have demonstrated skill and expertise in medical malpractice and legal malpractice, and proven it through rigorous examination and testing.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations and associations also support to the defense attorney community:

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) – The NACDL is one of the largest and most influential organizations for criminal defense attorneys in the US. It provides advocacy for criminal justice reform and supports defense attorneys with educational programs, research, and networking opportunities.
• American Bar Association (ABA) Criminal Justice Section – The ABA's Criminal Justice Section provides resources, research, and a forum for discussion on criminal justice issues. It is one of the most prominent organizations for legal professionals, including defense attorneys, in the US.
• American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys (AAPDA) – The AAPDA is an exclusive organization for highly skilled DUI attorneys. It is designed to help members gain recognition and build expertise in DUI defense.
• National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) – The NLADA is focused on promoting high-quality legal services for low-income individuals, particularly in the areas of criminal defense, juvenile justice, and civil legal services. It supports public defenders and legal aid attorneys across the US.