Among the many types of law available for study and specialization, workers compensation is one of them. Becoming an attorney, or a lawyer at all, is hard but rewarding work if you put in the time and effort.
Like all attorneys, you must first attend college and then become accepted into law school. Choose a school that offers a thorough selection of electives or specialty courses in workers compensation. A strong workmans’ compensation curriculum will give you a good start to becoming a highly-trained workers compensation attorney.
Once you’ve entered law school and have worked your way through some of the prerequisite courses, start concentrating in workmens’ compensation classes. Familiarize yourself with the professors of those classes and get to know them. A good attorney is always building contacts and networking for the future. Let the faculty know of your desire to become a workers’ compensation attorney and use their expertise and guidance to help navigate through your studies. Additionally, pay attention in classes and keep in mind how workmans compensation can apply to the world around you, in and out of law school.
As many as there are, classes do not make the man, or in this case, the attorney. Most law schools require internships in a law firm before you may graduate. Search for internships in with a firm that specializes in workers compensation. Summer internships or associate programs are a wonderful way to network and find another workmens compensation attorney who can lend you advice in the field. Internships will also help you decide if worker’s compensation is truly the right field of study for you.
Upon graduation, there is one hurdle left: the Bar Exam. All attorneys of any specialization must pass the Bar Exam in their states before being allowed to legally practice. To be a workers compensation attorney requires an enormous amount of time dedicated to studying, and all general law as well. Buckle down and study hard to pass the first time.
Finally, the day has come and you’ve passed the Bar Exam. You are now ready to begin working. Target firms where you interned; if you are lucky, a workmans’ compensation attorney in one of those firms may be able to help you get a job. If a position with one of those firms is not available, use the workmens’ compensation networking and contacts you developed in school to apply for jobs at firms that specialize in workers compensation. Be sure to emphasize your education, your experience, and of course, your enthusiasm for becoming a workmans compensation attorney.
As you become more experienced you will begin building your client base. When you first begin practicing law, you may not necessarily be practicing only workers compensation law; you may be receiving all sorts of cases in many areas. Work those cases and begin to let your associates and colleagues know that you are specifically interested in working on workers compensation cases. Additionally, search your area for a local Bar Association and join the branch for workmens compensation attorneys. This will help you network and build a solid base of clients who are specifically looking for a workers compensation attorney. Apply all your knowledge acquired from school, internships, and legal practice, and become a successful and knowledgeable workmans compensation attorney.