which state has easiest and fastest bar admission process Forum

[radjo]

Recently I passed the NY Bar (UBE). My score is good enough to get admitted to even Alaska. My plan is to remain in-house counsel and so looking for some jurisdictions where I can transfer my UBE score and get the Bar admission done quickly. In short, my question is apart from NY, where I am applying for the bar admission anyway, which other state has the easiest (e.g., no state-specific requirement etc.) and fastest (e.g., 1 month) bar admission process. Does anyone know?

[maxmartin]

Recently I passed the NY Bar (UBE). My score is good enough to get admitted to even Alaska. My plan is to remain in-house counsel and so looking for some jurisdictions where I can transfer my UBE score and get the Bar admission done quickly. In short, my question is apart from NY, where I am applying for the bar admission anyway, which other state has the easiest (e.g., no state-specific requirement etc.) and fastest (e.g., 1 month) bar admission process. Does anyone know?

WA. But 1 month is almost impossible for any UBE state because you need to go through F&C again conduced by NCBE. Two months are more likely.

[meat tornado]

I'd also like to know! I'm especially interested in the process in NJ, which I heard is super fast. Also, would getting admitted in another state make my NY admission more complicated (with good standings, etc.)?

[nixy]

Why do you need to be admitted in multiple jurisdictions? The more jurisdictions where you're admitted, the more CLEs and fees you're responsible for.

[maxmartin]

Why do you need to be admitted in multiple jurisdictions? The more jurisdictions where you're admitted, the more CLEs and fees you're responsible for.

Most firms will pay the fees and most CLEs can be shared across multiple JDXs.

[nixy]

Okay. But is there a reason you need to be admitted in multiple jurisdictions? I just don't understand the need to do this quickly.

[radjo]

Okay. But is there a reason you need to be admitted in multiple jurisdictions? I just don't understand the need to do this quickly.

The reason is by being an attorney the salary will go up. If I don't get NY admission in June and unfortunately it gets delayed by 6-7 months I will lose on the salary

[damselfly]

I can tell you that DC is NOT fast and easy. I submitted my application back in November and am still waiting. No C&F issues to speak of (unless you count a delinquent credit card payment from 2003)

[pech71]

Recently I passed the NY Bar (UBE). My score is good enough to get admitted to even Alaska. My plan is to remain in-house counsel and so looking for some jurisdictions where I can transfer my UBE score and get the Bar admission done quickly. In short, my question is apart from NY, where I am applying for the bar admission anyway, which other state has the easiest (e.g., no state-specific requirement etc.) and fastest (e.g., 1 month) bar admission process. Does anyone know?

Probably DC since no CLE?

[meat tornado]

Okay. But is there a reason you need to be admitted in multiple jurisdictions? I just don't understand the need to do this quickly.

Yes. I can't explain my specific situation (might out myself), but there are def scenarios where you want or need to be barred ASAP and are willing to get barred somewhere else than your home state

[b290]

WA. But 1 month is almost impossible for any UBE state because you need to go through F&C again conduced by NCBE. Two months are more likely.

Only 8 UBE states use the NCBE for C&F stuff. WA does your C&F clearance before you take the UBE (if you're directly applying there); a UBE transfer is no different than the other states. Your timeline approx. is spot on though.

Okay. But is there a reason you need to be admitted in multiple jurisdictions? I just don't understand the need to do this quickly.

Yes. I can't explain my specific situation (might out myself), but there are def scenarios where you want or need to be barred ASAP and are willing to get barred somewhere else than your home state

But pro hac vice admission presumes that you're already licensed somewhere else (in the US). That effectively excludes brand new applicants. Unless the OP is already admitted (wasn't mentioned), that's a non-starter.

Recently I passed the NY Bar (UBE). My score is good enough to get admitted to even Alaska. My plan is to remain in-house counsel and so looking for some jurisdictions where I can transfer my UBE score and get the Bar admission done quickly. In short, my question is apart from NY, where I am applying for the bar admission anyway, which other state has the easiest (e.g., no state-specific requirement etc.) and fastest (e.g., 1 month) bar admission process. Does anyone know?

Adopting the UBE only means that the state uses it for the bar exam. The state bars control still everything else (deadlines, requirements, grading, etc.) for the admissions process. That's 27 different processes for current UBE states. Some states will send you updates, others will only contact you if there's something wrong with your app. Don't forget that many UBE states have their pre-admission requirements (which might have deadlines), which - since you were applying for NY - you have not done.

Most bar applications ask for the same stuff, but their specific differences can significantly delay your application. For example, NY asks for 2 character references, specifically for your legal employers (who can't be used as character references), and your employment history backwards to age 21/10 years. The NCBE app requires 5 character references, and asks for employment & residence history backwards to 18. That completely changes your required info, and also affects your feasibility to rapidly complete it (it's not "complete" until it's submitted). The state bar could also add to/take away from the NCBE app. The sample NCBE app is below:

http://www.ncbex.org/dmsdocument/134

As maxmartin said, one month is unlikely. I'll go even further and say that unless you have your application ready to go now - with references ready to contact (basically your application filled out) tomorrow, it's not happening in one month. Even if we are to entertain its feasibility, you have even less time w/ the Memorial Day weekend shaving off a few days. Also, 5-8 weeks is a pretty reasonable time frame (for post bar exam applications).

My $.02

[radjo]

Adopting the UBE only means that the state uses it for the bar exam. The state bars control still everything else (deadlines, requirements, grading, etc.) for the admissions process. That's 27 different processes for current UBE states. Some states will send you updates, others will only contact you if there's something wrong with your app. Don't forget that many UBE states have their pre-admission requirements (which might have deadlines), which - since you were applying for NY - you have not done.

Most bar applications ask for the same stuff, but their specific differences can significantly delay your application. For example, NY asks for 2 character references, specifically for your legal employers (who can't be used as character references), and your employment history backwards to age 21/10 years. The NCBE app requires 5 character references, and asks for employment & residence history backwards to 18. That completely changes your required info, and also affects your feasibility to rapidly complete it (it's not "complete" until it's submitted). The state bar could also add to/take away from the NCBE app. The sample NCBE app is below:

http://www.ncbex.org/dmsdocument/134

As maxmartin said, one month is unlikely. I'll go even further and say that unless you have your application ready to go now - with references ready to contact (basically your application filled out) tomorrow, it's not happening in one month. Even if we are to entertain its feasibility, you have even less time w/ the Memorial Day weekend shaving off a few days. Also, 5-8 weeks is a pretty reasonable time frame (for post bar exam applications).

My $.02

Thanks. I have only 2 references ready as I was only thinking of NY. As such does anyone know what are the reasons for which NY admission may get delayed? just to keep things in perspective, I have been working for the same employer for past 10 years so I have only one employer affidavit. No overdue loans and only 1 camera ticket. I will be submitting my NY bar admission application by 2nd May.

[kc128]

NY seems to go quickly presuming no errors on your application/depending on your dept. A lot of friends/colleagues had their apps kicked back due to various errors. I know people who have transferred UBE scores to MN and AL. I think both take 1-3 months depending on when you submit the app, any kick backs, etc.