As somebody who has taken the bar exam and used to practice law before I had kids, I think the BAR exam is necessary. It eliminates some people who really aren’t qualified, but have gone to schools where they were admitted and passed along as long as they paid their tuition. I worked with people who had taken the bar multiple times. They were truly not sharp enough or logical enough to think through complicated issues through very well. You wouldn’t want them to be the lead counsel on your case, although they might be able to assist, to some extent.
Also, I think it is good for people who are specializing in an area of law to know the main principles of the other areas, so they don’t make major mistakes, and so they know which issues really need to be farmed out to a different specialist.
“It eliminates some people who really aren’t qualified...”
I respectfully disagree. A person’s own record and work would eliminate them just the same, or better.
Just like the rest of the world’s Trade professions, ie carpenter, framer, graphic designer.
And yes, the art of law is a Trade.