After two years in the United States Army, Lapides was accepted at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where he earned his LL.B., in 1961. Lapides was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1965.
After completing his military service, Lapides pursued higher education at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where he earned his LL.B., in 1961. He later became a licensed attorney in Maryland in 1965.