Passing the Bar in Multiple States Early Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey! I'm currently clerking right now, and I've already passed the bar in Texas. I'm gearing up to take the UBE in New York in a few days , and then I'll be signing up to take the California bar. Essentially, before my clerkship has ended, I should have sat and, hopefully, passed the bars in at least three states, and will likely transfer my UBE to a few other choice markets while I have the free time and sanity.

From a law firm recruiting standpoint, is this sexy or scary? Is there really any usefulness to being admitted into this many states?

[TEIAM]

Hey! I'm currently clerking right now, and I've already passed the bar in Texas. I'm gearing up to take the UBE in New York in a few days , and then I'll be signing up to take the California bar. Essentially, before my clerkship has ended, I should have sat and, hopefully, passed the bars in at least three states, and will likely transfer my UBE to a few other choice markets while I have the free time and sanity.

From a law firm recruiting standpoint, is this sexy or scary? Is there really any usefulness to being admitted into this many states?

From a flexibility standpoint, I envy you (assuming you pass). Although less so in NY, Texas and California are very difficult to break into as a junior without already being barred.

[Anonymous User]

I think it's great that you are taking quite so many bars, but...some places may question your willingness to put down roots if you are barred everywhere. This can be a negative in certain markets. I'm in Boston, and people in Boston really want you to be "rah-rah Boston forevuh."

Also, check out the NBEX website, but waiving into other jurisdictions is expensive and time consuming. You don't even know your UBE score yet--you may have lower than a 270, which is the "magic number" for many jx. There may be one or two more you want, but...not sure it's necessary, honestly. How many places do you plan to practice in your first few years? How much CLE do you want to do?

I'd do some more thinking about where you want to be and what you want to do before you just go around collecting bar memberships. You need to think about where you want to make a life, what areas of law you want to get stuck into, etc. GL!

[gingerbread]

I really don’t see the value in this. You’re just going to spend a ton of money in application fees and annual dues. My firm in DC will only pay DC/VA/MD dues, so thats an additional financial factor to consider — the same goes for CLE fees. You need to be barred where your office is, and being barred elsewhere provides no real value. Usually we retain local counsel to handle filings, navigate local judges and procedure, etc. That happens regardless of whether someone on the team is barred in that state.