Re: LL.M degree will not get you bar admission

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On 9/05/08, steve wrote:
> The followings were the question I asked DC and the response I got:
>
>
> Subject: Non-ABA-approved law school J.D. + 26 semester hours in tested subjects from
> ABA-approved law school
>
> To Whom It May Concern:
>
> I understand that the above combination can qualify one to sit for the DC Bar. And
> under Rule 46 (b) (8) (iii), it seems like the tax law subjects are now qualify.
> So let's say I have a J.D. from a non-ABA law school. And if I complete a ABA-approved
> LL.M. in taxation and only with 26 units of tax classes, can I qualify to sit for the DC
> Bar?
>
>
> No. You need to have 26 semester hours in tested subjects as provided for by our
> Rules. While a basic tax course will likely be accepted, the bar examination does not
> test on advanced tax matters. You need to have a combination of subjects that are
> tested in the examination.

The DC 26 credit policy exception is primarily aimed at ABA students that completed their
first year then dropped out. It is a very generous second chance for them to finish at a
non-ABA school and sit for the bar in DC. Unfortunately, awhile back a few misguided
posters on this board tried to turn it into a loop-hole for DL graduates. It is exactly
what the response says it is. Thank you for writing the DC bar and sharing the above
response.

Like it or not -- except for CA there is no way around an ABA JD for first time bar exam
applicants.