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Bill > LD738

ME LD738

An Act to Remove Barriers to Becoming a Lawyer by Establishing a Law Office Study Program

summary

Introduced
02/25/2025
In Committee
02/25/2025
Crossed Over
05/20/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill creates additional opportunities for individuals to qualify to take the examination for admission to the bar. Under the bill, an applicant for admission to the bar who has studied law for 4 years in a law office study program under the supervision of a judge or attorney who is a member of the bar in good standing need not attend law school prior to taking the bar examination. During the 4-year period, the applicant must pursue a systematic course of legal study designed to prepare the applicant for the general practice of law that must include, at a minimum, each of the subjects tested on the bar examination. An applicant may receive credit for up to 2 of the 4 required years of legal study based on the applicant's study of law at an accredited law school in this country, study of law at an equivalent foreign law school, legal study in a foreign jurisdiction that led to the admission of the applicant to practice law before a court of general jurisdiction within that jurisdiction or legal study in compliance with the requirements of a law office study program in another state. The bill requires that an applicant who is determined by the board of bar examiners to be otherwise eligible through a law office study program to take the examination for admission to the bar must pay a fee fixed by the Supreme Judicial Court before the applicant is determined eligible to take the examination. The bill requires the board, by January 1, 2026, to create and make available forms for applicants to submit required reports and notices to the board to be eligible to take the examination for admission to the bar through a law office study program. If the board fails to make these forms available by the deadline, then applicants may submit those reports and notices in any reasonable form or format as long as the reports and notices otherwise conform with the law.

AI Summary

This bill creates a new pathway for individuals to qualify to take the bar examination in Maine by establishing a law office study program as an alternative to traditional law school. Under this program, aspiring lawyers can qualify to take the bar exam after completing a four-year legal study program in a law office under the supervision of a judge or attorney who has been a bar member in good standing for at least three years. The program requires applicants to pursue a systematic course of legal study covering all subjects tested on the bar examination, with potential credit for up to two years of prior legal education from law schools or other jurisdictions. Applicants must submit detailed reports every six months documenting their study progress, including the number of weeks studied, areas of legal study, and tasks performed. The bill mandates that the board of bar examiners create specific forms for program documentation by January 1, 2026, and if they fail to do so, applicants may submit reports in any reasonable format. To be eligible, applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience, pay a fee set by the Supreme Judicial Court, and demonstrate good moral character. This alternative pathway aims to provide more flexible opportunities for individuals to become licensed attorneys by recognizing alternative methods of legal education and training.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Unfinished Business (on 05/29/2025)

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