How To Become a Female Injury Attorney

Lawyers show up for people when they have a legal issue, and for some, it could be on the worst day of their lives. Being a personal injury lawyer means representing people, offering legal advice, and helping them move forward from a bad experience. One key way of doing the latter is by helping them mitigate their losses and getting them a fair settlement. At Sara Williams, we have trained female attorneys ready to accident victims with their personal injury claims.

So, are you a woman looking to go into personal injury law? Stick with us to find out how to become a female injury attorney. 

Who Are Personal Injury Attorneys? 

Everyone has seen a personal injury attorney in action one way or the other, whether it’s while visiting a courtroom or on TV. But what exactly do personal injury lawyers do?

An injury attorney provides legal representation to a person or parties who suffered a civil wrong. The wrong could be a physical injury like botched breast reduction, property damage, or psychological harm. Personal injury attorneys handle cases of negligence and intentional tort. 

For instance, when an accident victim claims against the negligent party, they need to retain a personal injury lawyer. The latter is vital if the matter is contentious. An example of a contentious case is when the victim suffered a traumatic brain injury.

The victim would have to undergo medical treatment to get better. The preceding would, in turn, lead to medical expenses that the injured party might be unable to pay. Also, the negligence party’s insurance company might be unwilling to settle or offer a paltry sum.

With all these going on, the accident victim would have to hire hard-working lawyers to help them get compensation. If the victim chooses to file a personal injury lawsuit, they would need legal professionals to represent them in court.

Below are some of the events that would require the service of personal injury lawyers: 

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Construction site accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Nursing home abuse

How To Become A Female Injury Attorney?

The world has evolved to a point where women can be anything they want. While issues of gender inequality remain, women attorneys are taking their place in the legal profession and other fields. Female lawyers work in several top injury law firms, representing both male and female clients. 

Here, we look at the steps involved in becoming a female injury attorney. 

1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree

The first thing to do in your journey to becoming a female injury lawyer is getting a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Some laws schools accept undergraduates from other study areas like Political Science, Social Science, English, Business, Economics, or History. 

Some universities offer pre-law degrees for those who want to become lawyers in the future. Keep in mind that you must keep your grade up to get into law school. A high GPA shows that you’re a hardworking student, so focus on your studies. 

2. Apply for Law School

A good GPA is a step in the right direction. But beyond that, you need a good LSAT (Law School Admission Test) percentile. The preceding is the most important factor for admission into law school. For example, the University of Alabama School of Law accepts applicants with a median score of 163. Getting a high score would also help you qualify for a scholarship. Note that you can only take the LSATs three times in two years.

3. Complete Law School and Pass the Bar

Just in case you’ve seen the TV series “Suits” and think that it’s possible to practice law without completing law school, you’re wrong. You must complete law school and pass the bar exam before becoming eligible to offer legal services. 

Earning a degree from an accredited American Bar Association (ABA) law school takes three years. It consists of 30 weeks per year. Note that employers are more favorable to those who attended ABA-accredited law schools. You will go through a period of field placements (internships) during the training. 

Internships place you in real-life situations where you will learn and get accessed by on-site supervisors. Faculty members from your law school will also supervise you. An internship is a great time to make connections and network for future job prospects after graduation.

You must register with the state bar as a law student within 60 days of starting law school. After law school, you will have to register for the state bar exam. In Alabama, the exam happens in February and July. You must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) within 12 months before or 20 months after the state bar exam. 

4. Admission to the Bar

Normally, the bar examination result will arrive in your mail in about eight to nine weeks. The Alabama Supreme Court will certify the list of successful candidates. After getting your result, you’ll get notified of the formal Admissions Ceremony if you’re successful. You must attend it to execute your written and oral oath as an attorney. 

5. Start Practicing

Once you’ve taken your oath, you can start your legal career. At this point, you can choose to go solo or join a law firm. Also, you can get your specialty certification as a personal injury attorney. Specifying in a particular field increases your career opportunities. Note that you must fulfill the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) yearly to maintain your license as a legal counsel. 

What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Do? 

Female injury attorneys handle several legal matters like their male colleagues. Some of the most common are:

• Explaining Rights: A personal injury lawyer can explain an accident and the legal issues that might affect a victim’s rights. They will explain the applicable statutes, legal principles and ensure the injured commence an action before the Statute of Limitations elapses. Also, they will explain the available damages, how much their client stands to get, and the duties owed to them by the at-fault party. If the victim played a role in their injury, it is your job to let them know how it affects their claim. 
• Providing Advice: The first thing a lawyer does is provide advice to their personal injury clients. Litigation is often a long and tedious road, so it is better to settle out of court when possible. As a personal injury attorney, you must let clients know the best time to reach an agreement and when to proceed to trial. You must explain legal jargon and the strength or weakness of your client’s case. 
• Providing Representation: Another thing injury attorneys do is represent their clients. It could be during settlement negotiations with insurance defense firms or in court. 

How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Get Paid?

Most injury attorneys get their fees when they win cases. In legal practice, it is referred to as contingency payment. It means that you won’t get paid until you get a settlement or judgment sum for your client. If you fail to make a recovery for the client, you don’t get paid.

In that case, you might only be able to recover out-of-pocket expenses like filing fees. The amount of the contingency fee depends on the percentage agreed upon between you and the client. Some women attorneys charge as low as 15% and as high as 40% of the settlement. 

Do You Want to Become a Female Injury Attorney? Consult Sara Williams

Today’s generation of women is filled with strong women taking their place in the world. However, to become a strong female trial or injury lawyer, you need guidance and experience. At Sara Williams, we offer you both and are dedicated to helping you grow as a trial counsel and personal injury attorney. Find out more about the services we offer by scheduling a meeting with us today.