Real Estate Attorney Education Requirements

<p>Real estate attorneys are licensed lawyers who deal in all aspects of real estate transactions, from contract negotiations to litigation and compliance issues with relevant laws. Working directly with clients, they are advisors in the legal and financial implications of real estate transactions, helping them prepare documentation, understand the taxes and fees involved, and draft contracts that guard their interests. Take a look at the table below for more details about a career in this field. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's and Juris Doctor degrees</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>License Requirements</b> </td><td> Relevant state bar exam for licensing</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Continuing Education Requirements</b> </td><td> Continuing Legal Education (CLE) required in most states</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Key Skills</b> </td><td> Verbal and written communication; research and problem-solving skills</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 9% (for all lawyers)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Median Salary (2021)</b> </td><td> $81,89**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Payscale.com</i> </p> <h2 id="section---WhatAreTheFirstStepsToBecomingARealEstateAttorney">What Are the First Steps to Becoming a Real Estate Attorney?</h2> <p>To pursue a career as a real estate attorney, you need both a bachelor's and Juris Doctor degree before obtaining a license to practice in your state. </p> <p>Your bachelor's degree does not need to be in any specific area of study, as law schools consider applicants from all majors. If you have a passion for real estate, however, you could increase your credentials in this field by focusing your undergraduate degree in a major related to the real estate industry. Examples are finance, business administration, accounting, or real estate development. </p> <p>Once you have completed a bachelor's degree, you need to complete the LSAT exam in order to apply to one of the hundreds of law schools that offer Juris Doctor (JD) degrees in the United States. While many law schools have concentrations or elective courses dedicated to real estate law, these courses and electives are not required to pursue a career in that area. </p> <h2 id="section---HowDoIBecomeALicensedRealEstateAttorney">How Do I Become a Licensed Real Estate Attorney?</h2> <p>In order to become a licensed attorney in your state, you must take and pass the bar examination. Each state has different requirements for both preparing and completing their that examination. </p> <p>If you reside in one of the states that has adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), your scores are considered portable, allowing you to apply for licensing in many other states and jurisdictions. For more information, you should refer to your state's bar website. It is important to review the most updated requirements as they change frequently. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatOtherSkillsExperienceAreRequired">What Other Skills/Experience Are Required?</h2> <p>Beyond the ability to write contracts and be knowledgeable of the relevant tax laws in their states, real estate attorneys are often tasked with negotiating purchases or leases, as well as understanding the financial implications of their decisions. Because of these two important aspects of the career, job listings for real estate attorneys often mention the need for excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience with financing and leasing transactions is also often mentioned as a requirement. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatAreTheContinuingEducationRequirements">What Are the Continuing Education Requirements?</h2> <p>Because state tax laws that govern real estate transactions change frequently, most states have specific Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements that attorneys must adhere to in order to maintain their licenses in good standing. The amount and frequency may vary by state. Examples of such continuing legal education courses for real estate attorneys might include topics like neighboring property matters or ethics in real estate law. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatAreTheSalaryAndCareerOutlook">What Are the Salary and Career Outlook?</h2> <p>In 2021, Payscale.com calculated the median earnings for real estate Attorneys at $81,891 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics analyzes the salary and career outlook information of all attorneys in general. Together, those attorneys have a projected job growth of 9% between 2020 and 2030.</p>