To become a child abuse lawyer you will typically need to pursue and complete your law degree, usually studying in a program that focuses on family law. Before that, you will need to receive your high school diploma or equivalent certificate, and complete an undergraduate program at a college or university. Once you finish your undergraduate program, then you can look for a law school to attend. To become a child abuse lawyer you will need to finish your juris doctorate (JD) and pass the state bar exam for the state or area in which you wish to practice law.
The first step you will typically need to take to become a child abuse lawyer is to receive your high school diploma or general educational development (GED) certificate. This will allow you to attend a college or university to complete your bachelor’s degree, which usually takes about four years. There is typically no requisite bachelor’s program for pursuing a law degree, though you might consider a degree in criminal justice or psychology.
Most colleges also require that you score well on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) before you can be accepted into a law program. Depending on the state or country in which you wish to become a child abuse lawyer, you should consider the requirements necessary to practice law in that area. In the US, for example, you need to complete the state bar exam for the state in which you wish to practice law, which usually requires you complete your law degree at an approved college or university.
You should look for a law school in the state you wish to become a child abuse lawyer in, as this will often better prepare you for the state exam. It can also be helpful to look for a school that offers a specialized focus on family law or child abuse law. While you will likely spend the first year or so of your law education focused on general law, you may be able to find a program that allows you to spend your last year focusing on child and family law.
Once you complete your law school program and receive your JD, then you can take any tests necessary to be licensed to practice law and become a child abuse lawyer. In the US, this means you will need to take and pass the state bar exam in the state in which you wish to practice. Once you have passed the exam and are licensed to practice law, then you can focus on child abuse cases. You may want to consider looking for a law firm that specializes in family law, or contact Child and Family Services offices in your area to become a child abuse lawyer.