Bar Exam Question

[Surfah]

Gidget and me went to the Smithsonian American History Museum today. Got to see the OG American flag that inspired Key's Star Spangled Banner. That was awesome.

Also viewed the Lincoln exhibit. I was fascinated to learn that he had know formal schooling and learned law from borrowed books and associating with lawyers and was later admitted to the bar and practiced law in Illinois for 25 years.

So this made me think, can anyone take the bar exam? Is a JD required? Could anyone just sign up for it? If not, when did this become requisite?

[All-American]

Gidget and me went to the Smithsonian American History Museum today. Got to see the OG American flag that inspired Key's Star Spangled Banner. That was awesome.

Also viewed the Lincoln exhibit. I was fascinated to learn that he had know formal schooling and learned law from borrowed books and associating with lawyers and was later admitted to the bar and practiced law in Illinois for 25 years.

So this made me think, can anyone take the bar exam? Is a JD required? Could anyone just sign up for it? If not, when did this become requisite?

My brother took and passed the patent bar before he started law school. It wouldn't surprise me at all if anybody could sign up for the bar.

Edit: thanks, wikipedia:

In California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington[4], an applicant who has not attended law school may take the bar exam after study under a judge or practicing attorney for an extended period of time. This method is known as "reading law" or "reading the law".

New York requires that applicants who are reading the law must have at least one year of law school study. (See Rule 540.4 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys.)

Maine allows students with two years of law school to serve an apprenticeship in lieu of completing their third year.

[Surfah]

My brother took and passed the patent bar before he started law school. It wouldn't surprise me at all if anybody could sign up for the bar.

Edit: thanks, wikipedia:

Thanks. I figured it would vary from state to state. So what does "reading the law" mean? Could a paralegal working in a law office qualify? And presuming they successfully pass the bar, be licensed and practice as an attorney? I think that's rad.

[UtahDan]

Gidget and me went to the Smithsonian American History Museum today. Got to see the OG American flag that inspired Key's Star Spangled Banner. That was awesome.

Also viewed the Lincoln exhibit. I was fascinated to learn that he had know formal schooling and learned law from borrowed books and associating with lawyers and was later admitted to the bar and practiced law in Illinois for 25 years.

So this made me think, can anyone take the bar exam? Is a JD required? Could anyone just sign up for it? If not, when did this become requisite?

Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-3926 (2009)

§ 54.1-3926. Preliminary proof of education required of applicant

Before an applicant will be permitted to take any examination under this article the applicant shall furnish to the Board satisfactory evidence that he has:

1. Completed all degree requirements from a law school approved by the American Bar Association or the Board; or

2. Received a bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university and studied law for three years, consisting of not less than eighteen hours per week for at least forty weeks per year in the office of an attorney practicing in this Commonwealth, whose full time is devoted to the practice of law; or

3. Studied law for at least three years partly in a law school approved by the American Bar Association or the Board and partly, for not less than eighteen hours per week for at least forty weeks per year, in the office of an attorney practicing in this Commonwealth whose full time is devoted to the practice of law; or

4. Received a bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university and studied law for three years, consisting of not less than eighteen hours per week for at least forty weeks per year, with a retired circuit court judge who served the Commonwealth as a circuit court judge for a minimum of ten years and who at the time of commencement of the three-year study period was retired for not more than five years.

The attorney in whose office or the judge with whom the applicant intends to study shall be approved by the Board, which shall prescribe reasonable conditions as to the course of study.

This is not the easy way to do it, but VA is one of the few places in the country you can "read" rather than go to law school. About five people do it each year and one or two of them pass the exam.

[thesaint258]

And I come here to get away from thinking about the bar! That stupid test has finally spoiled the last bar-free environment I had.

[LA Ute]

Gidget and me went to the Smithsonian American History Museum today. Got to see the OG American flag that inspired Key's Star Spangled Banner. That was awesome.

I saw that Old Glory exhibit a couple of weeks ago. I loved it, and learned a lot. Highly recommended!

[UtahDan]

I saw that Old Glory exhibit a couple of weeks ago. I loved it, and learned a lot. Highly recommended!

Yeah it was nice to see you while you where here. Sheesh.

[Surfah]

I saw that Old Glory exhibit a couple of weeks ago. I loved it, and learned a lot. Highly recommended!

Gidget turned me on to a Secrets of the Smithsonian program on tv the other week and they showed the flag, it's history, debunked myths, and showed the restoration. I am glad I got to see it. It's awe inspiring. I was hoping to get to Archives today but it was closing by the time we got there. Another time.

[LA Ute]

Yeah it was nice to see you while you where here. Sheesh.

Hey, I thought you live far away from the District. I am there often, so tell me how we can break bread together next time.

[Lost Student]

My brother took and passed the patent bar before he started law school. It wouldn't surprise me at all if anybody could sign up for the bar.

Edit: thanks, wikipedia:

The "patent bar" is a different case entirely because it is not an actual bar exam. It is just a exam to register to practice before an administrative agency, not in any actual court of law.

Note that those people who qualify to take the bar without having gone to law school in CA, VA, or DC will not be able to later take the bar exam in other states because those other states require actually passing law school.

[happyone]

Gidget and me went to the Smithsonian American History Museum today. Got to see the OG American flag that inspired Key's Star Spangled Banner. That was awesome.

Just curious, have they completed the restoration of OG? When we were there 10 yrs ago it was about 25% completed.

I agree it was and probably still is awesome. When we visit my brother next yr or so, that is one of the things I want to revisit.

[falafel]

The "reading the law" method was standard in Lincoln's day, and much before that as well. IIRC, John Adams' biography has a section on his days learning the law via his apprenticeship. This was the practice in the Commonwealth as well (obviously). I believe it was this way until early this century, but I'm not certain. The shift would probably coincide with the rise of the American Bar Association.

[Surfah]

Just curious, have they completed the restoration of OG? When we were there 10 yrs ago it was about 25% completed.

I agree it was and probably still is awesome. When we visit my brother next yr or so, that is one of the things I want to revisit.

I don't know to be honest. I think the preservation is done. The flag has a new exhibit and lays in a dark room with special lighting.