November 30, 2006 9:25 AM

Doing it the old-fashioned way
Posted by Douglas Eisenhartat 9:25 AM

Ever thought about becoming a lawyer? And were you put off by the daunting prospect of getting into - not to mention the expense of attending - law school?

Well, this information may just make you reconsider the legal profession as an option. As a report from NPR's evening news program All Things Considered revealed earlier this week, there is another path you can take to becoming a practicing attorney - and you don't even need a college degree:

Legal apprenticeships are still recognized in seven states, but the requirements vary greatly.

In Vermont, participants don't need a college degree, but they must have completed three-quarters of their undergraduate course work.

Then they have to spend 25 hours a week for four years studying alongside a licensed attorney.

To hear the piece, click here to visit the NPR website, then click on the "Listen" icon. Segment running time is four minutes.