On May 6, 2020 The Pennsylvania Board of Bar Examiners announced a new bar exam date and limited license opportunity for bar applicants.
The Board has rescheduled the July 2020 Bar Exam to September 9 & 10, 2020. In addition, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has authorized July 2020 Bar Applicants to practice law with a limited license during the summer months. The order states that, to be eligible for the limited license, a graduate must have filed an application to sit for the July 2020 Bar Exam and secured a supervising attorney. Both the applicant and the supervising attorney must also complete declaration forms indicating that they understand the scope of and responsibilities under the limited license.
Once granted the limited license, the applicant can prepare client paperwork, file documents with the court, and make appearances in court. The supervising attorney is required to sign all legal documents the applicant files. The applicant may not appear in court without the presence of his or her supervising attorney.
The order states that the limited license will expire when the applicant sits for the bar exam in September. However, a student who has passed the September 2020 bar exam can still practice law with this limited license until admission is formalized by the state bar.
Other states are not following similar protocols. Florida announced this week that the state will hold the bar exam as planned in July. Nevada is planning to administer the bar exam online, and it will be open book.
For continuing updates on the new bar exam date and limited license requirements, visit the Pennsylvania Board of Bar Examiners website.
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