Kara Sears
In the United States, reading law is a term used to describe the process of entering the legal profession by studying under the supervision of an experienced attorney or judge for an extended period, typically four years, and often in combination with self-study. This method was the primary way to become a lawyer before the advent of law schools in the late 19th century. Today, only a few states allow individuals to become lawyers by reading law, either as the sole means of education or in combination with some law school. This path offers benefits such as cost savings and personalized mentorship but also comes with challenges like lower success rates on bar exams and limited geographical licensure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States that allow aspirants to read the law | California, Maine, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming |
| States that allow aspirants to take the bar exam after reading the law without law school | California, Vermont, Virginia, Washington |
| States that allow aspirants to read law in combination with some law school | New York, Maine, Wyoming |
| States that allow aspirants to read law as the sole means of legal education | California, Vermont, Washington |
| States that require aspirants to notify their state bar of their intent to "read the law" before beginning | California |
| States that require aspirants to complete a four-year law office study program | California, Vermont, Washington |
| States that require aspirants to complete at least two-thirds of a law degree | Maine |
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What You'll Learn
California
In California, a student in a Reading For The Law program studies under the guidance of a licensed attorney. This typically involves studying the law under the attorney's tutelage and working with them to learn what they need to know about the law. The attorney administers tests, assignments, and other tasks to evaluate the student's understanding of the material.
The path to a law license through reading law is difficult, with a lower pass rate than for students who attend ABA-approved law schools. In 2013, only 17 out of 60 readers who took the bar exam passed, a 28% pass rate compared to 73% for students from ABA-approved law schools.
Despite the challenges, some notable individuals have pursued a law license through reading law in California. Kim Kardashian has been reading law through a San Francisco law firm since 2018 and passed the "baby bar" law exam on her fourth attempt.
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Vermont
The path to a law license through reading law is difficult, with a lower pass rate on the bar exam compared to those who attend ABA-approved law schools. In 2013, only 17 out of 60 readers who took the bar exam passed, a 28% pass rate compared to a 73% pass rate for law school students. Aspiring lawyers who read the law in Vermont also have lower bar passage rates than their law school-enrolled peers. Since 2017, 54% of law office study program candidates have passed the bar in Vermont, compared to a 64% passage rate for law school graduates.
Despite the challenges, some people choose to read the law in Vermont to save money on law school tuition and gain practical experience. Andy Strauss, a lawyer at the Vermont Office of Attorney Licensing, noted that people who complete a law office study program are better prepared to perform lawyerly tasks after passing the bar since they have already been doing them during their apprenticeship. Hashim, an aspiring lawyer in Vermont, chose to read the law to save money on law school tuition and learn the ins and outs of the job.
Some notable Vermont lawyers, including former state legislator Peg Flory and Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Skoglund, made their way to the top without a law degree by reading the law through a law office study program. Flory had to go to night school for two years to get enough college credits to be eligible for the program, which required three years of undergraduate coursework and then four years of studying the law. Skoglund's success through the law office study program is seen as "part of Vermont culture," according to Strauss.
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Washington
In Washington, the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is the compilation of all permanent laws currently in force in the state. It is comprised of 91 titles arranged by topic, with amendments added and repealed laws removed. The RCW is updated twice a year, with an additional update at the end of the year if any ballot measures that change the law are passed at the general election. The online version of the RCW is considered the official code, and it is also available on the Washington State Legislature's website.
The Washington State Law Library (WSLL) has compiled a research guide with helpful links to legal forms used in Washington courts. The guide also discusses forms required by local courts and state agencies. The Washington State Bar Association also publishes deskbooks on various topics, which are preferred by many practitioners as they offer practical pointers on common problems.
In addition to the RCW, Washington Practice is a comprehensive multi-volume set covering various areas of law, including civil procedure, contracts, evidence, family law, landlord-tenant law, criminal procedure, and tort law. It includes legal forms and expert analysis, as well as citations to Washington primary materials.
While reading law can be a way to avoid the costs of law school, it is important to note that the path to a law license through this method is challenging. In 2013, only 17 out of 60 readers who took the bar exam passed on their first attempt, compared to a 73% pass rate for students who attended ABA-approved law schools.
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Virginia
The Virginia Law Reader Program has specific requirements and considerations. Firstly, individuals must commit to an intensive three-year study period, which includes a minimum of 18 hours of weekly study in a Virginia law office and 3 hours directly with a supervising attorney. The supervising attorney must be a qualified Virginia attorney with at least ten years of active full-time practice in the state. Additionally, those enrolled in the program cannot be gainfully employed by the tutoring lawyer, and they must make their own financial arrangements.
The pass rate for the Virginia Bar Exam among law readers is significantly lower than the overall pass rate. From February 2001 to July 2022, only 39 individuals who read law under attorney supervision passed the exam, with a pass rate of 20.21% compared to the overall pass rate of 68.47%. This highlights the challenges of pursuing a legal education through reading law.
While the Law Reader Program offers a path to becoming an attorney without the costs of law school tuition, it presents other financial considerations. Law readers must provide for their financial welfare during the three-year period, as there are no summers off, and student loans or grants are typically not available. Additionally, law readers may face limited employment opportunities during their studies due to the time commitment required.
The Virginia Law Reader Program is a viable option for those seeking to become attorneys in Virginia without incurring law school debt. However, it is essential to carefully consider the challenges and limitations of the program, including the demanding study requirements, lower pass rates, and potential isolation during the learning process. For those committed and able to work within the program's framework, it offers a path to qualifying for the Virginia Bar Exam and practicing law in the state.
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New York
In the United States, "reading law" refers to a means of entering the legal profession without attending law school. This practice was common before the emergence of law schools in the 1870s.
To be eligible to take the New York State bar examination through this route, applicants must study law in a law office for a period of four years under the supervision of an attorney who is admitted to practice law in New York. Credit towards this four-year requirement is given for successfully completed semesters in an ABA-approved law school. Once the required period of law office study is completed, applicants must submit an application for the bar exam, along with affidavits from the attorney or attorneys responsible for their law office study.
It is important to note that the path to obtaining a law license by reading law can be challenging. In 2013, only 17 out of 60 readers who took the bar exam passed on their first attempt, compared to a 73% pass rate for students who attended ABA-approved law schools.
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Frequently asked questions
Reading law refers to a means of entering the legal profession. It involves an extended internship or apprenticeship under the guidance of an experienced lawyer.
A few U.S. states, namely California, Maine, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, allow people to become lawyers by reading law.
Candidates must study under the supervision of an experienced attorney or judge for a specified period, typically four years. They must follow a rigorous study plan and pass assessments or bar exams as required by their state's law.
Reading law offers significant benefits such as cost savings and personalized mentorship. However, it also has challenges such as limited geographical licensure and potentially lower success rates on bar examinations due to a lack of structured educational support.
