How to Qualify as a Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

By Your Health Magazine Contributor

Your Health Magazine Contributor

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How to Qualify as a Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

Personal injury law is where the practice of medicine, the insurance industry, and the courtroom intersect. Personal injury attorneys help people injured in a car accident, a nasty fall, a dog bite, a defective product, and other cases.

“You are up against insurance companies that miss nothing. So, you mightneed to have the skills and an understanding of what the law is in the state of Nevada, because that is what local firms expect,” says Nevada personal injury lawyer David Boehrer of David Boehrer Law Firm.

The guide gives you a road map from choosing the right course to securing your license as a personal injury lawyer.

The Bachelor’s Degree Requirement

The first thing you could need on your path to becoming a personal injury lawyer is to gain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Law schools do not care what you choose to major in, so you can choose something you love.

Nonetheless, many pre-law students are drawn to Political Science, English, History, or Criminal Justice. These courses help you hone your writing, research, and analytical skills.

Keep your grades up. A good GPA goes a long way when you are applying. Usually, pursuing a bachelor’s degree takes four years if you are a full-time student.

The Law School Degree Requirement

After your bachelor’s degree, you must acquire a law degree from an ABA-accredited school, which is contingent on passing the LSAT. Scoring well is essential not only for law school admission but also for scholarships. Typically, people take three to six months of preparation before taking the test.

After passing the exam, it is now time to apply for the next admissions cycle. If you are from Nevada, the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law is the most preferred option. A full-time JD program will last for three years, and if you choose the part-time option, four. 

Bar Admission

There is one more big step to take after law school. It is called the Nevada Bar Exam. It is a challenging two-day event that delves into every conceivable area of law, including Nevada law. If you do not pass, your legal career is put on hold.

However, that is not all. You also have to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). Your background is also scrutinized for the character and fitness evaluation. They are searching for anything that could possibly put into question your preparedness to become a lawyer.

Once you have filled out all the boxes, the Nevada Supreme Court swears you in. That is when you can finally consider yourself a licensed attorney and ready to tackle any case as a personal injury lawyer.

Entering an Established Company

Once you pass the bar exam, do not go solo immediately. Begin with an established personal injury law firm. Consider this the real-world training arena in which you may learn how to work a case, negotiate with clients, determine a settlement, and get a sense of the courtroom, all of which will be taught to you by seasoned attorneys.

Choose a law firm that does personal injury and civil litigation cases. You want a place where training is more than just a slogan and where the people who train you are actually invested in helping you succeed. It is an essential part of your training and will serve you well when you are ready to strike out on your own.

Your Journey Forward

Becoming a personal injury lawyer requires a commitment to each step in the educational and licensing process. Look upon this process not simply as a series of obstacles to overcome, but rather as an apprenticeship.

Skills and the level of professional judgment you develop will provide the foundation for your practice, ultimately allowing you to provide informed and effective representation for your future clients in Nevada.