[decimon]

I think you are referring to the fact that in some states, notably California, you need not graduate from an ABA accredited law school to practice law. But you must still pass the bar exam to practice.

I am aware of that. I know they even have distance learning law schools. And that California has a Baby-Bar exam for such students.

I meant law programs/degrees that do not follow ABA diktat and so do not allow for the taking of the Bar Exam. I know only what I've read of this and what I've read is that people graduating with such degrees might work in the background doing research or other scut work. And that may be entirely wrong but I don't know.

[Zap Brannigan]

I’m not familiar with the programs to which you refer. Perhaps these are simply standard paralegal programs? For those who don’t know, paralegals are the master sergeants of the legal profession and principally handle case logistics (e.g., filing, working with vendors, arranging depositions, supporting attorneys at trial, and perhaps basic form preparation and legal research under attorney supervision). Paralegals are not permitted to file their own papers or argue in court.

FYI - in California, those who graduate from non-ABA accredited law schools must take and pass the same bar exam as ABA-accredited graduates. The Board of Legal Examiners only administers one type of bar exam.

[DrC]

“I know only what I’ve read of this and what I’ve read is that people graduating with such degrees might work in the background doing research or other scut work. And that may be entirely wrong but I don’t know.”

From the standpoint of efficiency, it’s probably a very good thing. Just as a nurse practitioner is just as good as an internal medicine doc for giving a routine physical, there’s no need to be squandering high cost resources on doing work that really doesn’t require that high a level of education etc.