The real estate lawyers are also known as real estate attorneys and counselors. Some of their responsibilities take into account the following functions:
- Interpretation of laws
- Application of the laws to specific situations
- Drafting of new laws
The academic qualifications of real estate attorneys start from the law school which really grooms you for the various kinds of duties and knowledge fields that are involved in the profession. Applying for law school is not easy and even more difficult is getting through the course. For application, you need to pass the test and get a good score on the LSAT or the Law School Admission Test. You also need to complete a degree on the following topics:
- Criminal justice
- Real estate
- Political science
- Business
It is also important to be acquainted with the real estate market in your area. See whether you have time to spend as a real estate attorney with your Realtor or mortgage broker. This is something that will help you gain first hand knowledge on the operation of the real estate market. You may even spend time with the sales office of a builder for being around the industry and learning how the field works. You can also sit on a home closing.
Getting an internship program is one of the training programs that you, as an attorney can take up while you are still in school. Other than highlighting your resume, this is something that will give you the opportunity to work in the real estate related industry as well as work in a job once you have completed your graduation. In case you are unable to find a position with a law firm, try doing odd jobs in a real estate office.
There are also other things than you can take up except a law internship such as joining a law review, political clubs and even being a part of the other different activities.
Prior experience can be taken up with an internship program. For getting selected by a real estate law firm, you will find it helpful to sport an outgoing personality and have a polished resume. The attorneys who pass the bar examination need to go for formal training procedures and this is why experience is required. In fact, real estate attorneys can even practice in a state without having to pass the bar exam.
The career prospects for real estate lawyers are good and the competition is at the same time stiff. You can also set up your own real estate practice after practicing for some time.
The median salary for a real estate attorney is $95,000 per year with life insurance and pension benefits.
The real estate lawyers who start their own practice after completing graduation generally have little earnings in the first few years. Experience is something that can give the real estate attorney between $130,000 and $1,000,000 a year. For a career in real estate law, plan in advance and finish high school with good grades.
