In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the state of Arizona will now be offering a second pathway to practice law for people who fell just short of passing the notoriously difficult Bar Exam.
Passed by the Supreme Court of Arizona, law graduates who fall into this category will have the option to become licensed attorneys by spending two years working under an experienced lawyer in a government, or non-profit legal firm for at least 30 hours per week. But there's one catch: This opportunity is only available in areas with fewer than 600,000 residents. This is because Arizona has one of the largest shortages of lawyers in rural areas in the United States, according to a 2020 study conducted by the American Bar Association.
The new initiative is being called the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program. It's hoped that this will make the legal profession more accessible while simultaneously increasing the number of lawyers practicing in parts of the state where there is little-to-know legal representation. Public defenders, prosecutors, and legal offices also hope to use this new program to recruit and retain more attorneys. And any admitted legal professional can participate as a supervisor, as long as they're in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
But this isn't a carte blanche for anyone who didn't pass the Bar Exam. At the moment, it's an option only being offered to graduates who scored between 260 and 269.
The score required to pass the Bar in Arizona is 270. The passing score varies from state-to-state.
Nonetheless, this promises to be a progressive effort that gives people in smaller cities access to important legal aid, while providing law graduates with a vital opportunity to gain real world experience in the profession they want to enter. Could this soon be adopted in other states with similar challenges?
