We may receive compensation when you click on product links from our partners. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Last Updated on March 8, 2025
While some US states allow aspirants to practice law without a full-fledged law degree, the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar only allows applicants with a professional law degree to appear for the Illinois State Bar exam. Students must be well versed in Illinois Bar Exam subjects to clear the exam with good scores.
Illinois is home to the prestigious University of Illinois School of Law, one of the most reputed law schools in the US. Around 640 students enroll in the prestigious law programs offered by the University every year. While you cannot be a lawyer without a law degree, several related courses and careers you may pursue do not require a JD or LLB.
Lawyers deal with complex legal issues and offer legal advisory services to clients. Their formal education and practical
What This Article Covers
- Illinois Bar Exam Requirements: Learn why Illinois mandates a professional law degree to sit for the state bar and what subjects students must master to pass the exam.
- Alternative Legal Careers: Discover related legal professions that don’t require a JD, including roles like paralegal, legal consultant, and legal document preparer.
- Prestigious Law Schools in Illinois: Explore how institutions like the University of Illinois School of Law prepare students for successful legal careers.
- Historical Legal Entry Routes: Uncover how legal apprenticeships and alternative paths existed in Illinois history, including Abraham Lincoln’s law career without formal schooling.
- Importance of a Law Degree: Understand how formal legal education equips students with
critical thinking , legal analysis, and specialized litigation and corporate law knowledge. - Bar Exam Score Transfers: Find out how Illinois allows score transfers for the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) and Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) to practice law in other states.
Create a personalized LSAT study plan in seconds by just answering a few questions about your LSAT date and study preferences.
The Legal Apprenticeship Route
Aspiring lawyers in Washington, California, Vermont, and Virginia can become practicing lawyers without completing their law degrees. However, they may need to undergo evaluations, apprenticeships, internships, and other informal procedures based on the specific state’s laws.
The fees required for this route are significantly lower than those required for law school. Hence, the legal apprenticeship route allows students to avoid heavy law school debt and gain practical experience.
Additionally, students build strong legal networks and connections during the process. Supervising lawyers may have to appear for specified monthly exams or work with practicing attorneys in the initial stages of their careers.
Most other states, including Chicago, require students to have a JD or an LLB. The Illinois Bar previously allowed aspiring lawyers to register with courts without going to law school.
You may note that some of Illinois’s most prominent lawyers, including Abraham Lincoln (like most lawyers of his time), did not attend law school. The applicant was allowed admission based on an oral examination conducted by a panel of legal experts.
While this option makes becoming a lawyer more accessible to everyone, it has its downside. Clients may find it difficult to trust an attorney who does not possess sound legal education.
The LSAT Trainer is an LSAT prep book specifically designed for self-motivated self-study students who are seeking significant score improvement on the Law School Admission Test. It is simple, smart, and remarkably effective.
Why Do You Need a Law Degree?
Litigations, trials, and arbitrations require detailed knowledge of different legal provisions and sections. Law courses like JD and LLB are designed to educate students on different specializations and detailed sections under each specialization.
The Illinois Bar Exam subjects help students understand civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, family law, and evidence. Obtaining a substantial law degree has many benefits.
Recognized in All States
Students who have law degrees like JD, LLB, and LLM are qualified to appear for bar exams and work as lawyers in all legal states. Fortune 500 companies and other prominent MNCs prefer candidates with law degrees for legal counsel openings and other positions.
Graduates can pursue careers in academia, media, corporate law, industry, and practically any other sector. Students who choose the legal apprenticeship route may find it challenging to compete with students from reputed nationally and internationally accredited law schools.
The undergraduate Juris Doctor program at the University of Illinois School of Law includes three years of full-time study. Students who complete this program can take the bar exam in all 50 US states.
A career as a lawyer is an exciting one! But do you really know what it takes to become one? This book takes you inside the career and shows you the day and the life of a lawyer.
Exposure and Experience
Attending law school provides students with plenty of exposure and helps them develop their analytical, critical thinking, and reasoning abilities. In Illinois, students preparing for the state bar exam prepare subjects like civil procedure and criminal law using a practical approach.
The questions mimic real-life situations. Students must think fast and choose the correct option in a limited time. A JD or LLB makes students eligible to apply for advanced law programs like LLM and MSL.
Exams like the MPRE, conducted by the Illinois Bar, revolve around professional ethics topics. Students are required to answer questions on client confidentiality, conflict of interest, and similar aspects.
Exam Scores are Transferable
Illinois Bar Exam scores are transferable. Students can transfer MBE and UBE scores to another jurisdiction. This arrangement allows students to attend straightforward bar exams in other states. The prestigious NCBE formulates the UBE exam format and other procedures.
This book will help identify your career identity so that you can find lifelong satisfaction in the traditional practice of law.
Next Steps
- Research State-Specific Requirements: Check the eligibility criteria for becoming a lawyer in your state, including bar exam prerequisites and alternative pathways to legal practice.
- Explore Legal Education Options: Consider accredited law schools, online programs, or other legal education avenues that align with your career goals and financial situation.
- Gain Practical Legal Experience: Look for internships, clerkships, or legal assistant roles to build hands-on experience and develop essential
skills in a professional legal setting. - Connect with Legal Professionals: Network with practicing attorneys, law school advisors, and bar association members to gain insights into the legal field and career opportunities.
- Prepare for the Bar Exam: If eligible, start reviewing bar exam subjects, enrolling in prep courses, and utilizing study resources to improve your chances of passing the exam.
Final Words
Pursuing a legal career requires careful planning, whether through traditional education or alternative pathways. Understanding state requirements, exploring legal education options, and gaining hands-on experience can help you navigate your journey effectively. Take proactive steps today to build a strong foundation for a successful future in law.
Supercharge your legal career, on your own terms. Expertly designed, personalized courses and tutoring reinvented for modern education.
Joey Trebif is the pen name of Mark Fiebert, a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
