Does D/L JD followed by ABA LLM erase bar requirements?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Bankdraft, Nov 22, 2006.

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  1. Bankdraft

    Bankdraft New Member

    Hello all,

    I am one considering a D/L JD and like many others narrowed the schools to Taft or NWCUSL. I understand -- as best I can -- the pitfalls associated with studying law via D/L but, if I do, and if I graduate, and if I pass the California General Bar, I will legitimately be eligible to practice law in California (and California only).

    Here’s my question: If I am accepted to an ABA approved school for advanced graduate work, and I complete, have I effectively erased any limitation on my eligibility to sit for any other state’s bar exam?

    I am referring specifically to this section from NWCUSL’s website:

    The California Bar compiled a list of ABA approved law schools that may accept California correspondence law school graduates for advanced graduate degrees. The schools named on the list are as follows:

    University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
    Capital University (Columbus, Ohio)
    Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio)
    University of Illinois (Champaign, Illinois)
    John Marshall (Chicago, Illinois)
    Lewis & Clark College (Portland, Oregon)
    Northwestern University (Chicago, Illinois)
    St. Louis University (St. Louis, Missouri)
    Temple University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
    University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas)
    University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah)
    Wayne State University (Detroit, Michigan)
    St.Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida, with its online LLM program in International Taxation and resident LLM program in Intercultural Human Rights, may now be added to the list.

    If I were to be accepted to, say, the University of Alabama’s advanced law program, and pass, can I sit for the Alabama bar?

    I understand that with a D/L non-ABA degree alone, I can never sit for the Alabama bar.

    As an aside, I have read many positive comments about NWCUSL but on four separate occasions I have emailed them at their published email address and have never received any response what-so-ever. I finally printed (one of) the email and snail-mailed it to the school but heard nothing from that either. Any thoughts?

    I'm just curious about the NWCU email issue but would appreciate any input on the LLM question.
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    According to Bears' Guide 15th edition (2003), the states wherein this might work are: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia. Keep in mind that: the above-mentioned info is three years old, you should check the rules of the State Bar where you plan to practice, and the situation may change while in law school.
     
  3. Bankdraft

    Bankdraft New Member

    Thanks Ted,

    I thought there might be a caveat ... or three. What seems weird about this situation is that the University of Alabama would (might) admit you its LLM program but then you could not sit for the Alabama bar (ever!) whereas a JD from the same school could?

    I know the university and the state are two different bodies but it does strike me as odd.

    I have Bear's on reserve at the library -- should have it next week.

    One other thing if you care to comment? I have read repeatedly about the 850-plus hours required to to complete first year D/L law but wouldn't you have to put in those hours at a B&M school as well? And that doesn't count the commute.
     
  4. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    Call the Alabama Bar itself for the answer to your question. Be aware, however . . .

    Traditionally, Alabama has not required graduation from an ABA-approved law school for bar membership - the perfect example is the Jones Law School at Faulkner University in Montgomery, which has been unapproved by ABA for many years but offers an outstanding legal education (right down to producing two justices who have sat on the Alabama Supreme Court).

    That said, the Jones School of Law has achieved provisional ABA approval, which functionally means that their grads will be able to sit for the bar in any other state as well. I am unaware of whether they pursued this on their own or because the state itself moved toward requiring an ABA-approved law school education.
    _______________________

    Disclosure note: I've always been impressed with the law school at Faulkner, and am familiar with their program because one of my doctoral professors, a major scholar in my field, is on their faculty. Faulkner is a Churches of Christ school and has always been R/A, but their law school did not achieve its ABA provisional approval until June of this year.
     

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