Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2020
Keywords
licensing, bar exam, coronavirus
Abstract
The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has profoundly disrupted life in the United States. Among other challenges, jurisdictions are unlikely to be able to administer the July 2020 bar exam in the usual manner. It is essential, however, to continue licensing new lawyers. Those lawyers are necessary to meet current needs in the legal system. Equally important, the demand for legal services will skyrocket during and after this pandemic. We cannot close doors to the profession at a time when client demand will reach an all-time high.
In this brief policy paper, we outline six licensing options for jurisdictions to consider for the Class of 2020. Circumstances will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but we hope that these options will help courts and regulators make this complex decision. These are unprecedented times: We must work together to ensure we do not leave the talented members of Class of 2020 on the sidelines when we need every qualified professional on the field to keep our justice system moving.
Recommended Citation
Angelos, Claudia and Berman, Sara and Bilek, Mary Lu and Chomsky, Carol L. and Curcio, Andrea Anne and Griggs, Marsha and Howarth, Joan W. and Kaufman, Eileen R. and Merritt, Deborah Jones and Salkin, Patricia E. and Wegner, Judith W., The Bar Exam and the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Need for Immediate Action (March 22, 2020). Ohio State Public Law Working Paper No. 537 (2020), UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper, SLU Law Legal Research Paper Series 2020-54.