Despite the common misconception, lawyers don't specialize in any area of the law while in law school, nor is there a "prelaw" major in undergraduate school. An aspiring lawyer may, however, focus her undergraduate education in areas that may help her obtain employment in the area of the law that she wishes to practice in after law school. For instance, a family law lawyer might have studied psychology or social work while in undergraduate school. Corporate lawyers are generally employed as in-house counsel for a specific corporation or may represent a variety of companies; anyone wishing to become a corporate lawyer may choose to focus on English, economics, accounting and business while in undergraduate school.
English and Writing
A corporate lawyer, like most lawyers, is required to do a tremendous amount of writing. Writing briefs, contracts and memorandums is a daily part of life for a corporate lawyer. A firm grasp of the English language, as well as written and oral communication skills, is needed. During college, advanced classes in English, writing and particularly speech should be considered. Additionally, any opportunity to engage in public speaking while in college should be taken by an aspiring corporate lawyer.
Economics
Corporate lawyers often work for companies that are heavily invested in the economy. A thorough knowledge of economics on both a national and global scale can only help a corporate lawyer. Additionally, a corporate lawyer may be required to draft or review documents that include economic terminology or provisions with economic consequences that could directly affect her employer.
Accounting
Basic principals of accounting are needed to perform the job of corporate lawyer. A corporate lawyer is usually asked to review contracts involving the purchase or sale of goods or services, which requires a basic understanding of accounting principles. For certain jobs as a corporate lawyer, advanced accounting knowledge may be required.
Business
A corporate lawyer should take as many business classes as possible in college. Business classes can span a wide range of topics, all of which may ultimately be beneficial to a corporate lawyer. As the name implies, a corporate lawyer is usually retained by one or more companies to handle the legal affairs of the company, so a firm understanding of basic, and even advanced, business practices are necessary to protect the legal interests of the company.
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