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Bump. Anyone?Lawstudentnyc wrote:I'm graduating in May and plan to take NY Bar Exam. I am from NY and would stay here after school. Orginally, I was thinking of taking NJ as well but decided not to.(save 575 ) Is that a big mistake? Are there any benefits besides "two is better than one rationale" I do not plan to work in a firm.
What about if you're already barred in the state of your firm's practice and you'd have to take NJ independently? Worth it? I'm still somewhat fresh off the bar and like someone said, this is the last year of the "old" MBE without civil procedure. On the other hand, not sure if NJ's legal market is big enough to justify the additional application cost (and then annual membership fees once I'm admitted) if I don't plan on practicing there within the next couple of years. Does NJ allow inactive status or lower membership fees for those who don't actively use the NJ license?BarbellDreams wrote:Unless you have an offer with a firm who does not whatsoever practice in NJ and are 100% sure the offer is safe I'd take NJ.
I agree with what you have to say. Maybe I'm blowing up about the CLE requirement, but the in person thing is a big deal to some. Especially considering that the first two years you need Jersey specific CLE's. . I have 3 CLEs (that orientation thing). I can't imagine sitting through another course right now. I'm done with "school" and classes. In NJ, you need half of them to be in person. When I'm 35 years old, I am going to be really unhappy when I have to sit through a CLE.iiifly wrote:Just took NJ in Feb after NY. What Bronx Bum says is correct, although I didn't consider the administrative burdens when I signed up.
Few things to consider:
-You can take joint NY/NJ CLE courses, albeit in person.
-I didn't study for the NJ Bar and found it to be way easier than NY. You don't need a separate bar course (in fact, I wouldn't waste time thinking about NJ, just focus on NY the entire time). The night before NJ, read through a NJ civ pro outline and you're good to go. Don't forget apply MS law.
-If you decide to let it go inactive, so be it. "Not practicing in NJ at this time" is all the explanation you need.
-I took it in case I bombed NY, at least I have another shot at getting admitted - somewhere.
Wait, why can't you just let your NJ license lapse?Bronx Bum wrote:I have to tell you, as someone who happened to take Nj for the hell of it, it was the worst mistake I could have made.
1. Yeah, $575. That sucks. Plus whatever it costs to get to the Meadowlands the next day to take it. Maybe you're lucky, but I threw another night on my hotel room to stay over so I didn't have to drive too far. That's another $150. Plus fingerprint fees, etc. Say another $100.
2. Plus, you might be tempted to get the NY/NJ dual bar course. That's another $300 or so added on. *Don't get the NY/NJ dual bar course. NJ is ALL MBE topics plus a civ pro question that I bombed yet still passed the exam.
3. Then, you will have to pay your annual fees to the NJ bar. Then you'll have to take your NJ specific CLE's for your first two years. Then you have to take half of your CLE's in PERSON for the rest of your time as an attorney (well, maybe until you're 65 and they waive that).
4. Want to take on a case in NJ? Better have an escrow set up in NJ or your firm better. If you practice more than a certain amount of cases in NJ jurisdiction, be ready to take on DAT pro bono case every year. "LOL not a family law attorney? Too bad. Here's a pamphlet to tell you how to practice family law. That screaming client is now YOURS. For FREE."
Want to let your license become inactive? Shouldn't be a problem for NY, but enjoy having to give them an explanation for why you let your NJ license run. Also, enjoy having to file periodic certificates of good standing with NY.
TL:dr--->only get NJ if you want to practice in NY. Don't fall for the "might as well." I did and it's a pain in the ass.