The Texas Supreme Court has the exclusive authority to grant licenses to practice law in Texas. To practice law in Texas, one must be licensed by the Texas Supreme Court and be a member of the State Bar of Texas. The State Bar of Texas is the agency with authority to regulate attorneys in Texas.
Steps to Becoming a Lawyer in Texas
The first step in this process is to pass the LSAT, or Law School Admission Test. Lawyers are individuals who have completed law school, passed the bar exam, and hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited institution.
Eligibility Requirements for Licensing in Texas
In order to be licensed in Texas without taking the Texas Bar Examination, you must demonstrate that you hold a J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or satisfy each element of a Rule 13 exemption from the law study requirement.
An individual cannot give legal advice, offer representation in court, or handle many other legal matters without a license to practice law in Texas. However, many tasks traditionally performed by lawyers are now done by legal assistants supervised by lawyers.
Duties and Qualifications of Lawyers
Lawyers provide legal advice, offer representation in court, and handle various legal matters. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics describes lawyers as licensed experts who consult, advise, represent clients, and help settle disputes. Becoming a lawyer in Texas requires a doctoral degree (J.D.) from an accredited institution and passing the Texas State Bar Exam. Unlike public prosecutors, lawyers have the freedom to choose their cases.
Verification and Complaint Process
The State Bar of Texas regulates attorneys and provides a platform to verify an attorney’s license status on their website. Complaints about attorneys can be reported to the Grievance Committee. Contact the State Bar Membership Department for questions regarding an attorney’s eligibility status.