Cali Non-ABA JD ---> other states' bar exam?

Greetings!

Does anyone have a list of states that would allow one to sit for their respective bar exam, based only on graduation from a non-ABA law school's JD program?

I remember reading somewhere that Wisconsin actually might, and I thought there might be others as well ....

thanks much


Jason

BA - Thomas Edison
MA - Cal State Dom Hills

 

"California is the only state allows students to sit for bar exam without having graduated from an American Bar Examination-accredited law school."

Source URL: Concord Law School by DETC... http://www.concordlawschool.com/info/custom/concord/newsmedia/pdfs/khe_law_online.pdf

 

This is incorrect. State-approved, non-ABA law schools operate in several states besides California, including Massachusetts (e.g. Massachusetts School of Law), Alabama (e.g. Birmingham School of Law) and Tennessee (e.g. Nashville School of Law). There is a national list of non-ABA law schools here. Graduates of such schools are allowed to sit for the bar exam in their respective states.

As I understand it, California is the only state that allows students to sit for the bar exam after graduating from a DL law school.

 

How about Wisconsin? The Wisconsin state bar website is somewhat confusing.... Anyone here from WI?

 

This 2002 article from Wisconsin Lawyer states the following:

If this is correct -- and you should verify current rules with the state bar -- then a graduate of a non-ABA California law school could take the bar exam in Wisconsin, if he first passed the bar exam in some other state (presumably California).

 

This might answer your questions.

http://www.abanet.org/legaled/publications/compguide2005/chart3.pdf

Happy holidays.

 

OUTSTANDING!!! thanks for the table

 

That is true; all the DETC (DL) Law School are operating in the state of California. Wow! More than 60% non-ABA law schools are operating in California. Thanks for the information.

 

I'm a CA DL JD, admitted to practice in California.

In short, WI will permit graduates of non-ABA accredited schools to sit for their bar exam if the school is approved in the state where it is located, and the applicant is admitted to practice law in that state.

One must also submit proof of good standing, disciplinary history, and undergo a moral character determination.

See: http://www.abanet.org/legaled/publications/compguide2006/chart3.pdf

"Wisconsin. Must have received first professional degree in
law from a law school whose graduates are eligible to
take the bar exam of the jurisdiction in which the
school is located, and must have taken and passed the
bar examination and been admitted to that or another
U.S. jurisdiction."

 

Clarification--

You could theoretically qualify if you graduated from a state approved DL law school that permitted you to sit for that state's bar exam, but were actually admitted in another state.

Practically speaking, since CA is the only state which allows DL grads to sit for the bar exam without being admitted to practice in another state, a CA DL grad would have to qualify for admission in CA before being permitted to take the WI bar exam.

 

Hi cbkent,

Which CA DL law school did you graduate from?
Are you currently practicing law?

 

I graduated from British-American University.

I do not accept clients, although I use my law background extensively in my work.

 

What line of work? Does anyone ask why you did not take the NJ Bar (assuming you are in NJ)? Do you get strange looks when you tell them it is a DL law school?

 

Randell--

I am co-founder of a company that produces diagnostic equipment.

I am also an NGO representative at the UN, and active in a number of non-profits.

Although DL law grads cannot obtain plenary licensure in NJ, the NJ Supreme Court will issue a limited corporate counsel license, without examination, to an attorney admitted in another state. I have not done so, as I do not have a law office in NJ, or serve in the capacity of corporate counsel in NJ.

I haven't been asked to explain anything. If asked, I simply say that I am admitted to practice law in California, and that I qualified by independent study. It is clear that I obtained the training to enhance my current activities, not to "hang a shingle" and represent outside clients.

My situation is somewhat unique, in that I had a stroke which resulted in some residual paralysis, and do not drive. People seem to view my law qualification as a plus, and have no problem with the fact that I did it through a non-traditional program.

Even in NJ, lawyers know how difficult it is to pass the CA bar exam. I have consistently been shown great respect by other attorneys.

If anyone is interested, I have commented on my law adventure in other threads. Just do a search.

Christopher

 

www.nwculaw.edu

One I had solicited enquiry with this school. It is completely online and is registered with the Californian bar.

My question was if a non-American resident were to take up the program, then would s/he be allowed to practice law in California. They replied stating one may be eligible however s/he would have to come to CA for the bar exam. ([email protected] )