CA Bar -> NY Bar admission question Forum

[lawlaw123]

Hi all,

This might be a psychotic questions, but I'm wondering if anyone has any information.

I'm taking the CA bar in July, and have a biglaw (v50) job lined up in CA. I've never lived in CA before and I have strong ties to NY. I am curious if there is any way that I could eventually get a NY bar admission without taking the UBE.

NY doesn't have reciprocity with CA, because CA doesn't have reciprocity with anyone. It looks to me though, that I could waive in to DC (https://admissions.dcappeals.gov/appinfo.action?id=2), and then waive into NY from DC (https://www.nybarexam.org/AOM/AdmissiononMotion.htm).

Would this raise any flags for the NY bar? What would the ideal timing look like?

And a secondary question: would the firm care if I got a bar admission in another state without them asking? They naturally have large presences in both DC and NY.

Thanks in advance!

[2013]

I don’t think that’s how it works. I think DC to NY requires practicing 5 of the last 7 years.

[lawlaw123]

I don’t think that’s how it works. I think DC to NY requires practicing 5 of the last 7 years.

But it looks like those 5 years could be practiced in CA? So would it be doable, like, six years out?

[2013]

I don’t think that’s how it works. I think DC to NY requires practicing 5 of the last 7 years.

But it looks like those 5 years could be practiced in CA? So would it be doable, like, six years out?

I guess in theory… but why do that? DC bar membership is expensive and the UBE is a joke.

[Bosque]

I don’t think that’s how it works. I think DC to NY requires practicing 5 of the last 7 years.

But it looks like those 5 years could be practiced in CA? So would it be doable, like, six years out?

I guess in theory… but why do that? DC bar membership is expensive and the UBE is a joke.

More to the point, why not ask your firm to pay for it, if you are going to do it? You likely need to report to them where you are barred anyway.

[lawlaw123]

I don’t think that’s how it works. I think DC to NY requires practicing 5 of the last 7 years.

But it looks like those 5 years could be practiced in CA? So would it be doable, like, six years out?

I guess in theory… but why do that? DC bar membership is expensive and the UBE is a joke.

Well, studying for the bar now makes me not want to do it, but I could see how a second time would be easier...

[lawlaw123]

I don’t think that’s how it works. I think DC to NY requires practicing 5 of the last 7 years.

But it looks like those 5 years could be practiced in CA? So would it be doable, like, six years out?

I guess in theory… but why do that? DC bar membership is expensive and the UBE is a joke.

More to the point, why not ask your firm to pay for it, if you are going to do it? You likely need to report to them where you are barred anyway.

I don't want to be cocky and assume I'll be doing so well in biglaw after 5 years that they'd be willing, so I'm trying to scope out a backup plan.