Which Bar Exam For Biglaw in Chicago (Post-Clerkship)? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm graduating this spring and have a CoA clerkship in the midwest. I'm planning afterwards to work in Chicago for at least a year or two (likely Biglaw...presumably I'll apply during the clerkship). Do I need to take the Illinois bar exam this summer instead of New York? Is it important to Chicago Biglaw that I be a member of the Illinois bar either (1) because it shows I want to work in Chicago or (2) it's strange to have lawyers working in Chicago that aren't licensed to practice there?

I'm asking in part because there's a huge cost difference...Illinois is ridiculously expensive and I would be a late registrant. And I should get moving now if I need to switch.

Thanks!

[ClerkAdvisor]

I'm graduating this spring and have a CoA clerkship in the midwest. I'm planning afterwards to work in Chicago for at least a year or two (likely Biglaw...presumably I'll apply during the clerkship). Do I need to take the Illinois bar exam this summer instead of New York? Is it important to Chicago Biglaw that I be a member of the Illinois bar either (1) because it shows I want to work in Chicago or (2) it's strange to have lawyers working in Chicago that aren't licensed to practice there?

I'm asking in part because there's a huge cost difference...Illinois is ridiculously expensive and I would be a late registrant. And I should get moving now if I need to switch.

Thanks!

You need to be a member of the bar wherever you practice, so if you want to practice in Chicago, you'll need to take the Illinois bar either before or after the clerkship. It's generally much easier to take a bar before than after. Additionally, it can help show commitment to a market, but if you don't already have ties there and you summered in another city, Chicago will be an uphill battle.