Deciding what state bar to take Forum

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RG3forme

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Deciding what state bar to take

Post by RG3forme » Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:29 pm

I'm seeking some guidance and sound advice.

Here's the situation: I'm a 3L at a law school in Texas. I don't have a permanent employment opportunity after graduation. I have an opportunity to clerk with the federal government (not an article 3 court) for 2 years in DC. After that, I want to work in DC, I'm fairly certain, maybe with another agency or maybe a firm. I hope I can come across something good.

What bar exam should I take? I don't need to take a particular bar for my clerkship, but you get a raise after the first year if you have passed any state bar. My law school may have best prepared me for the Texas bar exam (i haven't taken Texas-specific courses really, aside from oil and gas), but I don't really want to practice here and return here. If I only had options here after the clerkship, I would be open to returning. It wouldn't be a first choice scenario.

What do you all think?
A. Texas bar
(and hopefully do well enough on multistate parts to waive into DC bar)
B. DC bar
C. Think of second-best state to work in if DC does not work out (maybe MD or VA)
(and again waive in to DC bar)
D. Other?

I have put thought into this, more than this post reflects. If anyone has been in this situation as well or has some good advice, any help would be great. Thank you!

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A. Nony Mouse

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Re: Deciding what state bar to take

Post by A. Nony Mouse » Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:58 pm

Well, it seems like taking DC would be a bit of a waste, because pretty much every passing score from any other jurisdiction will let you waive into DC, so if you do something other than DC, you end up with two admissions for the price of one.

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