How to Become a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

While the route to becoming a workers' compensation attorney requires years of education, it's a rewarding and lucrative career with a good projected job growth. In this field, you can represent employees or businesses in cases related to injury on the job.

Get a bachelor's degree in a field related to law

Before entering law school, which is a masters-level program, it is necessary to hold a bachelor's degree in a related field. Pre-law and criminal justice are popular undergraduate majors for aspiring lawyers, but graduates from these majors scored, on average, less than 150 on the LSAT (the exam required for admission into law school.) It's often a smarter decision to choose a rigorous non-law major instead, especially if you have interests outside of law.

Some higher-scoring majors include sociology, journalism, accounting, English, liberal arts, philosophy, finance, history, engineering, and economics. It's best to choose a major that's interesting to you, rather than simply picking one off a list of majors which tend to score well on the LSAT. If you aren't passionate about your area of study, your grades will reflect that.

Choosing a major indirectly related to law can give you an advantage because these fields train your cognitive abilities and give you the skills you'll need in law school, such as research, analysis, and creative thinking.

Take the LSAT

The LSAT is a test which measures reading abilities, logical abilities, and analysis abilities. It's required in order to apply to law school and is heavily weighted in the selection process, so it's crucial to score well. After taking the exam, you can begin your applications.

Complete law school and earn a Juris Doctorate

A Juris Doctorate (or J.D.) is the degree awarded upon completion of law school.

If you're specifically interested in becoming a workers' compensation attorney, you should take any specialized courses your school offers related to workers' compensation law.

Pass your state bar exam

In order to practice law, all law school graduates are required to pass their state's bar exam, which ends in licensure. Some state exams have specific sections regarding workers' compensation law.

Once you pass the state bar, you'll be allowed to practice law. It's time to seek entry-level positions in firms which practice workers' compensation law. After following these instructions and gaining experience in your field, you'll be well on your way to becoming a top workers' compensation attorney.

The prospects

Workers' compensation attorneys represent clients, either employees or businesses, in cases involving injury on the job. All fields of law involve intensive research, and while some lawyers rarely see the courtroom, the path you take depends on your individual preferences.

Employment statistics

The number of employed lawyers is expected to increase by 6% from 2014-2024. As of May 2015, the median salary among all lawyers was $115,820.