Louisiana Supreme Court Grants Emergency Admission to the Bar

Law students scheduled to take the Louisiana Bar Exam in twelve days just learned they don't have to take the test. KPLC-7 reports the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled today, July 22, qualified candidates are free to practice law in the state, even though they didn't get certified by the bar. The high court canceled the exam, which was supposed to go down in 12 days, due to COVID-19 concerns.

Comparing the current health risk to the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic, Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson admitted the decision was bold and the order granted only granted to qualified law students. There will also be additional education requirements for those students who are permitted to move on with their legal careers. Chief Justice Johnson cited that we are living in unprecedented times that call for unprecedented actions.

Individuals lucky enough to bypass the exam will still need to complete 25 hours of the Bar Association’s Transition Into Practice program. However, they'll have until December 31, 2021 to complete the program. The new attorneys given the one-time emergency admission to the bar aren't exactly going to be footloose and fancy free. Mentoring requirements were also enacted to serve as checks and balances on the newbies' legal competency and integrity.

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