How to become a family lawyer

How to become a Family Lawyer

Becoming a family lawyer requires a commitment to education, legal training, and ongoing professional development. 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 family lawyers choose degrees in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or political science.

Focus on developing critical thinking, writing, and research skills, as well as an understanding of social issues.

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 family lawyers 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, and ethics. Specialize in family law through electives such as divorce law, child custody, adoption, and estate planning.

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, ethics, and procedure.
• Preparation – Enroll in a bar review course and study intensively.
• In addition to passing the bar exam, some jurisdictions require candidates to take an ethics exam or undergo a background check as part of the licensing process.

Gain Experience

• Internships or Clerkships – During law school, gain hands-on experience through internships, externships, or clerkships with family law firms or government agencies. This can be crucial to provide you with insight into real-world family law cases.
• Volunteer Work – Volunteering with legal aid organizations or clinics that offer family law services can provide valuable experience, especially for those pursuing a career in helping low-income or vulnerable populations.
• Begin working as a family lawyer, either by joining a law firm, starting your own practice, or working for a government or non-profit organization.

Pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Family Law (Optional)
These master’s programs allow students to choose from a range of advanced courses, including family law, elder law, family finance law, child custody, adoption law, juvenile justice, child welfare, and international child rights. In many cases, options exist to create an emphasis within either family law or child law.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Once licensed, family lawyers are required to complete continuing education courses to stay current with legal developments and changes in the law. This ensures that they remain knowledgeable and competent throughout their careers.

Certifications
There are various certifications available to family lawyers that demonstrate expertise in specific areas of family law. Here are some prominent ones:

• Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) – This credential is offered by various state bar associations in the US and other legal bodies around the world. CFLS candidates must have several years of experience in family law (often five years or more) and pass a rigorous examination on family law topics, including divorce, child custody, spousal support, and other family-related legal issues.
• AAML Fellow – This fellowship is administered by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), a prestigious organization in the US that focuses on advancing the practice of family law. It is known for its high standards and membership is selective, requiring members to have significant experience and expertise in family law.
• Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) – Offered by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA), the CDFA program and examination cover topics like asset division, child support, and retirement planning. Although the credential is primarily for financial professionals, it can be beneficial for family lawyers involved in divorce cases with significant financial complexity.
• Family Mediator Certification – Offered by various organizations and state bar associations, this certification allows lawyers to serve as neutral third parties to help families resolve disputes outside of court, often in divorce, custody, or visitation cases. Mediator certification programs may require applicants to have some experience in mediating family law disputes.
• Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) – This certification, conferred by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), is a prestigious credential that signifies an attorney's specialized knowledge and expertise in elder law. It focuses on legal issues affecting seniors, including estate planning, long-term care, guardianship, retirement, and Social Security.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations and associations also cater to the family law sector, providing resources and opportunities for networking and education:

• National Association of Divorce Professionals (NADP) – The NADP is focused on supporting professionals who serve individuals and families going through divorce. While it is not exclusive to lawyers, it is a useful resource for family lawyers who work with divorce cases. It provides marketing and business development support and hosts events, conferences, and webinars on divorce-related topics.
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) – The AFCC is an interdisciplinary organization that brings together family law professionals, including lawyers, judges, mediators, and social workers, to improve family law practices and promote alternative dispute resolution methods.
• International Society of Family Law (ISFL) – The International Society of Family Law is an independent, international scholarly association dedicated to the study, research, and discussion of family law and related disciplines. The Society’s membership currently includes professors, lecturers, scholars, teachers, and researchers from more than 50 different countries, offering a unique opportunity for networking within a truly international family law community.
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) – Collaborative law is a form of negotiation in which the two parties and their lawyers meet in person or separately to negotiate a solution to their problems. The IACP promotes this cooperative, non-adversarial approach to resolving family law disputes.
• National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) – The NLADA is an association that supports public defenders and legal aid lawyers, including those specializing in family law. It focuses on improving access to justice for underserved populations.
• American Bar Association (ABA) – The ABA is one of the largest and most well-known legal associations in the United States. It offers a variety of resources and programs for criminal lawyers, including special interest groups within its Family Law Section.
• International Bar Association (IBA) – The IBA is a global organization that provides a platform for legal professionals worldwide. It offers a wide array of resources to family lawyers, particularly through its Family Law Committee.