What states can you read the law in?
Asked by: Ciara Collier | Last update: July 27, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (70 votes)
A few U.S. states, namely California, Maine, New York, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, still permit people to become lawyers by reading law instead of attending some or all of law school, although the practice is rare.
What states allow you to read the law?
Four jurisdictions, namely California, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, allow applicants to study under a judge or practicing attorney for an extended period of time rather than attending any law school. This method is known as "reading law" or "reading the law".
Where can you read the law?
You can read the full text of recent public and private laws on the web, you can order them from the Senate or House Document Rooms, or you can find copies of laws in a library. A law may also be referred to as an act (such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act) or as a statute.
What states can you practice law in?
The general rule is a lawyer can only practice law in a state court when they have been admitted to the bar of that state. An exception would be when the attorney is admitted on a pro hac vice basis, where the out-of-state lawyer can practice with an in-state attorney acting as local counsel.
Can you be a lawyer by reading the law?
Vermont, Washington, California, and Virginia all allow people to become lawyers by “reading the law,” which, simply put, means studying and apprenticing in the office of a practicing attorney or judge.
How to Read a Case: And Understand What it Means
Does New York allow reading the law?
New York allows applicants to read law provided they have already completed at least one year of law school study. Maine requires applicants to have completed at least two-thirds of a law degree.
What state has the easiest bar exam?
Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.
What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.
Which states do not require a bar exam?
Forty-one jurisdictions have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is composed entirely of NCBE-created components. In every U.S. jurisdiction except Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington, all those seeking admission to the bar must pass a bar examination.
Which bar exam is the hardest?
Which bar exam is hardest? California is considered by many to be the most difficult bar exam. It has a relatively low pass rate and a relatively high minimum passing score and covers a lot of state law.
How is Kim Kardashian studying law?
WHAT IS READING THE LAW? So first, what is “reading the law?” Basically, it's a JD via apprenticeship but without the actual degree. In her case, Kardashian will need to spend at least four years studying with a practicing lawyer or judge to be eligible to take the California bar exam in 2022.
Can you read for the law in Virginia?
Factors that must be weighed by a student considering this method of legal education include: Unlike a degree from a reputable law school which may be as impressive in other fields as it is in law, reading law in a Virginia law office will only qualify a student to take the Virginia Bar Exam.
Is reading a good law school?
The University of Reading School of Law is a leading UK law school with a world-class reputation and global outlook.
Where can I read US law?
You can read the full text of the official U.S. Code on the web. The U.S. Code, Code Annotated, and U.S. Code Service may be available from a library. GPO govinfo provides the full text of the official version of the U.S. Code.
What state has the strictest laws?
With 395,608 regulatory restrictions, California is the most heavily regulated state in the nation, according to the report. On average, states have 135,000 regulatory restrictions in administrative rules, with California's regulations more than doubling the national average.
Which US cities have no laws?
Well, located in the Sonoran Desert in California, is America's only law-free area; Slab City. Its name comes from the concrete slabs that were left behind by Marine Corps barracks of Camp Dunlap during World War II.
Can I be a lawyer without passing the bar?
In several States, including California and New York, attorneys and judges can practice law without graduating from law school and/or passing the bar exam! Most everyone is “stunned” by this discovery. There are seven (7) states, where attorneys may practice law, and become judges, without graduating from law school.
Is 295 a good bar score?
In order to pass the Uniform Bar Exam, examinees must earn a score of at least 260 on the MBE and MEE. However, a score of 280 is generally considered to be a good score, and a score of 300 to 330 (highest score on bar exam) is considered to be excellent.
Which state is getting rid of the bar exam?
Washington joins Oregon, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire as the fourth state that no longer requires the bar exam to become a licensed attorney. Supreme courts in California, Minnesota, and Utah are considering similar moves.
What is the lowest GPA to become a lawyer?
What Is the Lowest GPA For Law School? Since the majority of law schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, anything below a 3.0 is considered very low. Some of the absolute lowest GPA requirements for schools are 2.80.
What law school is the hardest?
- Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. ...
- Stanford University. ...
- Harvard University. ...
- University of Pennsylvania. ...
- University of Virginia. ...
- Columbia University. ...
- University of Chicago. ...
- University of Southern California.
What is the highest paying state for lawyers?
- California ($201,530)
- Massachusetts ($196,230)
- New York ($188,900)
- Connecticut ($174,520)
- Colorado ($168,680)
- Nevada ($166,740)
- Texas ($166,620)
- Georgia ($165,560)
How many times can you take the bar?
There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California. While it may come as a relief to many students who are planning to take the bar exam in California that there are no limits, California's bar exam is known for being one of the hardest exams in the U.S.
Is 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.
Which state is easiest to become a lawyer?
Statistically speaking, Oklahoma has one of the easiest bar exams based on first-time passing rates. Nearly 87% of first-time exam takers pass the Oklahoma state bar exam. In comparison, California has a much lower first-time passing rate at 58.1%.