President Joe Biden is widely known for his extensive career in politics, but before he entered the world of public service, he actually started his professional life in the legal field. So, yes, Joe Biden is indeed a lawyer.
Biden’s journey into law began with his education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware and then pursued his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University School of Law in 1968. While his academic performance at Syracuse wasn’t top of his class – he graduated 76th out of 85 students – he successfully completed his law degree and took the next step to become a practicing attorney.
In 1969, Biden was admitted to the Delaware Bar, officially making him a lawyer. He briefly entered the world of corporate law, working at a firm in Wilmington. However, his time in corporate law was short-lived. Biden felt a calling to public service and transitioned to working as a public defender in Delaware. In this role, he represented individuals who could not afford legal representation, many of whom were African Americans in Wilmington. This experience provided him with firsthand exposure to the justice system and the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
However, Biden’s legal career took a turn relatively quickly towards politics. Just a year after becoming a lawyer, in 1970, he was elected to the New Castle County Council. This marked the beginning of his political ascent. Two years later, in 1972, at the young age of 29, Biden achieved a significant milestone by being elected to the U.S. Senate representing Delaware. This victory made him the seventh-youngest senator in American history. From this point onward, Joe Biden dedicated himself to his career in the Senate and has not practiced law since his election.
President Joe Biden Addresses Supporters in Pennsylvania
While his active legal practice ended with his entry into the Senate, Biden did return to the academic legal world later in his career. In 1991, he became an adjunct professor at Widener University Delaware Law School. In this part-time role, he occasionally taught courses focused on constitutional law, sharing his knowledge and experience with students. It’s important to note that despite some claims, Biden was never a full-time professor at Widener.
Years later, after his time as Vice President under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, Biden again engaged with academia. Between his vice presidency and his presidential campaign, he was appointed as the Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. For this position, he received significant compensation, reportedly over $900,000 between 2017 and 2019. However, this role primarily involved public appearances and events rather than regular teaching duties, focusing on diplomacy, foreign policy, and national security.
In conclusion, Joe Biden’s professional journey indeed began in the legal profession after graduating from law school and passing the bar. He worked as both a corporate lawyer and a public defender before transitioning into a long and impactful political career. While he hasn’t actively practiced law since the early 1970s, his legal background and understanding of the legal system have undoubtedly informed his approach to public policy and governance throughout his career.
