Law School 101
What standardized exam is commonly used for admission to U.S. law schools?
LSAT
What type of essay allows a law-school applicant to explain who they are and why they want to attend law school?
personal statement
What is the person who hires and receives legal services from a lawyer called?
Client
Who is the person who presides over a trial and makes rulings on legal issues?
Judge
What does J.D. stand for?
Juris Doctor
What degree do you earn after completing law school
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
What undergraduate number is one of the most important components of a law-school application?
GPA
What do you call a lawyer who represents someone accused of committing a crime?
Criminal Defense Attorney
What is the group of people selected to determine the facts and reach a verdict in a jury trial?
Jury
What does pro bono mean?
for the public good / legal work provided without charging a fee
How long does a traditional full-time J.D. program typically take?
three years
What document summarizes your education, work experience, activities, and accomplishments for law-school applications?
résumé
What type of lawyer represents the government in criminal prosecutions
Prosecutor
What is a formal request asking a court to take a particular action called?
Motion
What Latin phrase means “by the fact itself” and is commonly used in legal terminology?
ipso facto
What is the centralized application service used by most U.S. law schools?
LSAC
What type of letters are commonly submitted with law-school applications to discuss an applicant’s character, abilities, or academic potential?
letters of recommendation
What is the process of questioning a witness by the opposing side after direct examination called?
cross-examination
What is the standard of proof used by the prosecution in a criminal trial?
beyond a reasonable doubt
What does amicus curiae literally mean?
“friend of the court”
What undergraduate major is required to attend law school
none
What centralized organization collects and sends many components of a student’s law-school application to schools?
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
What is the term for an attorney’s obligation to keep certain information from their client confidential?
attorney-client privilege
What is the standard of proof generally used in civil cases?
preponderance of the evidence
What Latin phrase means “let the decision stand” and refers to following legal precedent?
stare decisis