Don't Want to Take the Bar Exam? Move to Wisconsin

Graduates from Wisconsin's two law schools have a privilege that's unique in the nation: They don't have to take the bar exam to become lawyers. That means nearly two-thirds of the state's more than 21,000 licensed attorneys have never taken the exam. They're in good company, since the same can be said for six of the seven state Supreme Court justices.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
Graduates from Wisconsin’s two law schools have a privilege that is unique in the nation: They don’t have to take the bar exam to become a lawyer. The “diploma privilege,” a 134-year-old policy, exempts most law school graduates from the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University from taking the bar exam. Nearly two-thirds of the state’s more than 21,000 licensed attorneys have never taken the state bar exam, including six of the seven state Supreme Court justices, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager. Supporters of the policy say it forces law students to focus on all their course work, instead of only the parts likely to appear on the two-day test. “It’s a more efficient use of the applicants’ time and my time,” said Gene Rankin, director of the Board of Bar Examiners. “I think it’s a better guarantee of a broad range and ability.” Wisconsin’s practice has outlived similar rules in other states, mostly in the South. The last holdout, West Virginia, dropped the privilege in 1988. “We thought we were in the dark ages because we didn’t require people to pass the bar,” said West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Larry V. Starcher. The state Supreme Court monitors the quality of education at both law schools, which have extensive core-curriculum requirements that students must meet to qualify for the privilege. There is also a “character and fitness” requirement that excludes a few candidates each year. In a letter to the American Bar Association defending diploma privilege, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson wrote that the program is rigorously managed and “succeeds in its goal of maintaining a qualified Bar.” University of Wisconsin Law School Dean Kenneth B. Davis Jr. said he supports the privilege after teaching in California. “The class had less patience with what I considered very fruitful and important discussions about legal policy and lawyer issues,” Davis said, “because they were so driven to focus on things that would be on the bar exam.” Marquette Law Dean Joseph D. Kearney said the policy gives state law schools a competitive advantage in recruiting in-state talent. But Wisconsin Public Service Commission attorney Steve Levine argues that the exemption should either apply to graduates of any accredited law school or be struck down. “I think there are a lot of inconsistencies that could be cleared up if Wisconsin went to one standard for everybody,” Levine said. He said the odds have been against a change because out-of-state graduates typically made up a small percentage of the Wisconsin bar. But about 13,000 of around 42,000 state bar members are now from out of state, making a change more likely. “It’s obviously something to protect University of Wisconsin and Marquette graduates,” Levine said. “Nothing could be more blatant.” Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Benefits of a Digital Membership:

  • Free access to 3 articles* every 30 days
  • Access to the entire ALM network of websites
  • Unlimited access to the ALM suite of newsletters
  • Build custom alerts on any search topic of your choosing
  • Search by a wide range of topics

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

Trending Stories

 

Featured Product

Global Briefing

A weekly, curated selection of our international content from around the globe, across the business of law, in-house, regulatory, technology and more, with expert insights from our senior editors.

Learn More

More from ALM

 

ALM Legal Publication Newsletters

Sign Up Today and Never Miss Another Story.

As part of your digital membership, you can sign up for an unlimited number of a wide range of complimentary newsletters. Visit your My Account page to make your selections. Get the timely legal news and critical analysis you cannot afford to miss. Tailored just for you. In your inbox. Every day.

Privacy Policy

About Us / Contact Us / Site Map / Advertise With Us/ Customer Service / Terms of Service/ FAQ / Privacy Policy

Publications

Law Topics

Rankings

More

Law.com

Copyright © 2020 ALM Media Properties, LLC. All Rights Reserved.