Here’s a brief list of what Real Estate Attorneys do:

• Contract Review and Drafting: Review, draft, and negotiate contracts related to real estate transactions, including purchase agreements, lease agreements, and financing contracts.

• Title Examination: Conduct title searches and examinations to verify ownership of properties, identify liens, encumbrances, or defects in title, and ensure clear title transfer.

• Due Diligence: Perform due diligence investigations on properties, including reviewing surveys, zoning regulations, environmental assessments, and property tax records.

• Closing Process: Facilitate real estate closings by preparing closing documents, coordinating with parties involved (buyers, sellers, lenders), and ensuring legal compliance.

• Dispute Resolution: Represent clients in real estate disputes, including boundary disputes, landlord-tenant conflicts, breach of contract claims, and property damage lawsuits.

• Land Use and Zoning: Assist clients in navigating land use regulations, zoning laws, permits, variances, and approvals for development projects or property use changes.

• Foreclosure and Bankruptcy: Provide legal advice and representation in foreclosure proceedings, mortgage defaults, loan workouts, and bankruptcy cases involving real estate assets.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Education:

• Undergraduate Degree: Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. While specific majors aren’t always required, courses in business, finance, economics, or pre-law can be beneficial.

• Law School: Attend and graduate from an accredited law school. Admission typically requires a bachelor's degree, a satisfactory Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score, and letters of recommendation.

• Real Estate Law Courses: Take courses focused on real estate law during law school. These courses cover topics such as property law, land use planning, real estate transactions, and real estate finance.

2. Gain Experience:

• Internships and Clerkships: Seek internships or clerkships during law school with law firms specializing in real estate law, government agencies, or corporate legal departments involved in real estate.

• Entry-Level Positions: After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam (see next step), consider starting as a junior associate in a law firm that handles real estate matters.

3. Pass the Bar Exam:

• Bar Exam: Pass the bar exam in the state where you intend to practice law. Each state has its own bar exam, and passing it is necessary to practice law in that jurisdiction.

4. Obtain Licensure:

• State Licensure: Once you pass the bar exam, apply for licensure with the state’s bar association where you want to practice. Requirements may vary, but typically include passing a character and fitness review.

5. Specialize in Real Estate Law:

• Continuing Education: Stay updated on developments in real estate law through continuing legal education (CLE) courses and seminars.

• Join Professional Organizations: Consider joining real estate law sections of state and local bar associations to network with other professionals in the field.

6. Build a Client Base:

• Networking: Develop relationships with real estate agents, developers, lenders, and other professionals in the real estate industry.

• Marketing: Establish a presence online and offline to attract clients seeking legal assistance with real estate transactions and disputes.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!