What is a Rule 9 license from the Washington State Bar?
Asked by: Dr. Louvenia Murray MD | Last update: March 14, 2026Score: 5/5 (11 votes)
A Washington State Bar Rule 9 license is a limited license for law students, clerks, and recent graduates to practice law under the supervision of a qualified attorney, allowing them to gain real-world experience in interviewing, counseling, drafting documents (signed by supervisor), and even appearing in some courts, functioning as a "Licensed Legal Intern" (LLI). This supervised practice helps aspiring lawyers develop skills before full bar admission, with the license typically valid for up to 30 months but expiring 18 months after graduation, notes the WSBA admissions page.
What is a Rule 9 license in Washington state?
Washington Supreme Court Admission and Practice Rule (APR) 9 grants a limited license to law students, Washington Supreme Court APR 6 law clerks, and recent law school graduates to practice law under the supervision of a lawyer who has at least three years of active legal experience.
Is a legal internship worth it?
Yes, a legal internship is overwhelmingly considered worth it for law students and aspiring lawyers because it provides invaluable practical experience, helps you apply classroom theory, builds crucial skills (like legal writing and networking), clarifies career goals by exposing you to different practice areas, and makes you a significantly stronger job candidate by demonstrating dedication and ability to future employers. While some can be unpaid and financially challenging, the hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional connections gained are often described as essential for a successful legal career, sometimes even leading to pre-placement offers (PPOs).
Is a legal intern the same as a legal assistant?
The top three skills for a law internship include litigation, legal issues and trial preparation. The most important skills for a legal assistant are litigation, legal correspondence, and discovery responses.
Can you take the bar without going to law school in Washington state?
In California, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, you can skip law school and still qualify for the bar exam. Each state has specific rules about supervision, study hours, and reporting requirements before you may sit for the bar.
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Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
Is the bar exam harder than law school?
Generally, the bar exam is considered harder than the LSAT. The LSAT tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension for law school admission, while the bar exam requires extensive legal knowledge and practical skills to obtain a license to practice law.
Who gets paid more, a paralegal or legal assistant?
Paralegals generally earn more than legal assistants because they perform more complex, substantive legal work (like drafting, research) requiring specialized training, while legal assistants focus more on administrative tasks (scheduling, filing), though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Expect paralegal salaries to average higher (e.g., $52k-$70k+) versus legal assistants (e.g., $40k-$55k), with pay varying significantly by experience, location, firm size, and specialization, notes Research.com and Remote Attorneys.
Is a law clerk considered a lawyer?
However, because clerks typically aren't yet admitted attorneys, they can't represent clients, appear in court as counsel, or provide legal advice directly to parties in cases.
What is better, a legal assistant or a paralegal?
Neither is inherently "better"; the ideal role depends on your skills and career goals, as paralegals handle substantive legal work (research, drafting, case prep) requiring more education and earning potential, while legal assistants focus on administrative and clerical tasks (scheduling, filing, communication) with more flexibility in education, though roles can overlap, especially in smaller firms. Choose paralegal for deep legal involvement and career growth, or legal assistant for organizational support and entry into the legal field.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
Is $20 an hour good for an internship?
Yes, $20 an hour is generally considered a good to very good rate for an internship, often above average, though it varies significantly by industry, location (cost of living), and your year in school, being excellent for early-stage students but potentially low for senior STEM or high-demand tech roles where $30-$50+ is common.
What disqualifies you from law school?
What disqualifies you from law school often involves dishonesty, serious criminal history (especially crimes of moral turpitude like fraud), significant financial irresponsibility, or academic misconduct, all falling under the "character and fitness" evaluation, though a single minor issue usually isn't a bar if disclosed honestly and explained well; failure to disclose, lying on the application, or misrepresenting facts is often a more significant reason for denial or later disbarment.
Can paralegals make $100,000?
Yes, experienced senior paralegals in specialized fields, large firms, or major markets can absolutely earn $100,000 or more, especially in roles like Paralegal Managers or specialized areas like Intellectual Property, with factors like experience, location (e.g., NYC, Silicon Valley), and employer size being key determinants. While the median salary is lower, achieving a six-figure income is realistic through strategic career moves like gaining certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, and working in lucrative markets or large corporations.
Is an unpaid internship a red flag?
Yes, an unpaid internship can be a significant red flag, especially if it lacks structure, mentorship, or clear learning objectives, essentially functioning as free labor by replacing paid employees with menial tasks, which often violates labor laws and exploits ambition, though some highly specific, short-term, non-profit, or academic opportunities might be justifiable if truly valuable for development.
Is a law clerk higher than a paralegal?
Yes, a law clerk (especially a judicial clerkship) is generally considered a more senior or higher-level role than a paralegal, primarily due to the advanced education (often a J.D. degree) and the nature of the work, which involves substantive legal research and drafting opinions for judges, whereas paralegals typically hold associate's/bachelor's degrees and focus on case management and administrative tasks for attorneys, though roles and hierarchies can vary by firm.
What is the lowest position of a lawyer?
The lowest level of a lawyer is generally an entry-level attorney, often starting as a first-year associate, Junior Associate, or Law Clerk, focusing on research, drafting, and assisting senior lawyers while gaining foundational experience before passing the bar exam and progressing in their career.
What are three things a paralegal cannot do?
Paralegals are prohibited from practicing law, meaning they cannot give legal advice, set fees, establish client-lawyer relationships, or represent clients in court; instead, they perform tasks under attorney supervision, always disclosing their non-lawyer status to avoid misleading clients or the public.
Do law clerks have to pass the bar?
Law clerks must be a law school graduate. While bar admission is not required at the time of appointment, law clerks must have passed the bar within 14 months of their appointment.
Is 1200 billable hours a lot for a paralegal?
Yes, 1200 billable hours is often considered on the lower end for paralegals, though it can be reasonable in smaller firms or for entry-level roles, with many firms expecting 1400-1800+ hours, while some large firms might target 1800-2400, making 1200 a good starting point for work-life balance but potentially limiting for future career growth if higher targets exist elsewhere.
What are lawyer assistants called?
Paralegals and legal assistants support lawyers by performing a variety of tasks, such as maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.
Can paralegals make 6 figures?
Yes, experienced paralegals can absolutely make six figures, especially in specialized fields like corporate law, intellectual property, or big firms in high-cost-of-living areas, often through a combination of high base pay, bonuses, and valuable expertise in lucrative niches like M&A, litigation support, or working in-house at large corporations, according to Reddit users and Quora answers and Quora users. Achieving this level usually requires significant experience, advanced certifications (like CP, ACP), expertise in high-value areas, and potentially entrepreneurial efforts.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
What are common bar exam mistakes?
The Mistake:
Reading outlines, highlighting pages, or re-watching lectures without testing your understanding creates the illusion of productivity. Passive learning is easy—but it's not what the bar rewards.
Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?
The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao, India's JEE Advanced, and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam, renowned for immense competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences for a small number of successful candidates, often competing with tests like the All Souls Prize, Master Sommelier Diploma, and CFA for top spots.