Interesting. Is it typical that DA’s in one state apply for bar admittance in another state? They wouldn’t have prosecutorial jurisdiction in anither state.
The answer is generally no, passing the bar exam in one state does not automatically allow a lawyer to practice law in another state. Bar admission in the United States is conducted at the state level, and each state has its own requirements and procedures for admitting lawyers to practice.
Exceptions:
Uniform Bar Exam (UBE): Some states participate in the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), which allows lawyers to transfer their scores to other UBE-participating states. If a lawyer passes the UBE in one state, they may be able to apply for admission to the bar in another UBE-participating state without taking another bar exam.
Reciprocity: Some states have reciprocity agreements with other states, which allow lawyers admitted in one state to practice law in another state without taking another bar exam. However, these agreements vary by state and may have specific requirements, such as a minimum score or additional training.
Admission on Motion: In some cases, a lawyer may be able to be admitted to the bar in another state through a process called “admission on motion.” This typically requires the lawyer to file a motion with the state’s supreme court, board of bar examiners, or state bar association, and provide evidence of their good standing in their current state of licensure.
Key Takeaways:
Passing the bar exam in one state does not automatically allow a lawyer to practice law in another state.
Lawyers must meet the specific requirements and procedures of each state in which they wish to practice law.
There are exceptions, such as the Uniform Bar Exam, reciprocity agreements, and admission on motion, that may allow lawyers to practice law in multiple states.