Lawyer in 420: Antiphon writes Athens first courtroom spe — Section 923: Antiphon writes Athens first

How many years does it take to become a lawyer? In most common-law countries it's five to seven years: a three-year undergraduate law degree, or a US-style JD after an unrelated bachelor's, plus one to two years of vocational training and supervised practice before bar admission. Civil-law countries often add a mandatory post-degree clerkship, so the full path to genuinely independent practice frequently runs seven to nine years.

What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor? In England and a handful of Commonwealth countries, the profession is legally split: solicitors handle client relationships, contracts and case preparation, while barristers specialize in courtroom advocacy and are usually instructed by a solicitor rather than hired directly by the public. Most other countries, including the United States, merge both functions into a single lawyer or attorney role.

Do you need a law degree to practice law everywhere? No. A small number of US states, including California and Vermont, still allow candidates to sit the bar exam after several years of supervised 'reading the law' in a practicing attorney's office instead of law school, and England's Solicitor Apprenticeship lets school-leavers qualify over six years while working. Most countries, though, require an accredited law degree.