Washington Law Professors & Washington Law Student Admission: Limited Licenses

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Rule 8(d) of the Washington Admission to Practice Rules governs and allows limited admission for professors teaching at the Washington law schools. With the full support of the Dean of the law schools, faculty members at the law schools in the state can apply to practice law in Washington as an active member of the Washington bar without ever having to take the Washington bar exam. Certified clinical professors also have the ability to practice in court as long as it is to supervise an approved law school clinical program.

For law professors to be eligible they must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a juris doctor from a law school that is ABA approved.
  • Be licensed in another jurisdiction
  • Pay all applicable bar fees and costs

In addition the admitted law professor must adhere to the following:

  • Limit practice as indicated by the university
  • Can not be compensated for more than 8 hours a week during the calendar year
  • Make certainty Dean advises the state bar which professors are admitted to the practice of law
  • If a law professor is terminated by the university, their ability to practice is also terminated and they must take the Washington bar in order to practice.

Law Students

Law students are able to practice law in Washington courts. To obtain this certification law students must be enrolled full-time. Washington law students admission certification requires students to meet the following:

  • Complete at least 1/3rd of graduation requirements
  • Show good character and legal competence
  • Certify in writing that they understand the Washington rules of professional conduct
  • Certify in writing that they understand the Washington Supreme Court rules
  • Be apart of a clinical law practice program
  • Can not receive any compensation for their representation, but they may be compensated if they are in employment of legal aid bureaus, attorneys, public defender organizations or by the state.

Washington Law Student Admission: Limited Practice

Washington law student admission or ability to practice law depends on a few things. However, in general, Washington law student admission toward a limited basis, enables them to participate in the following activities. This list is not all-encompassing but touches on the most common issues the legal student can engage in or represent a client on:

  • Civil Matters of the local courts (with clients consent)
  • Criminal Matters, misdemeanor in nature in the local courts (with clients consent).
  • In both above matters the supervising attorney must be present except in municipal, magistrate or justice courts.
  • Law students can however practice the following outside of the general supervisor o a supervising attorney
    • Prepare motions, briefs pleadings, and other legal documents, as long as they are signed by the supervising attorney
    • Assist indigent individuals and inmates who request information in regards to post conviction assistance

Requirements of Supervising Attorneys

Supervising attorneys must adhere to the following:

  • Assume responsibility for student’s guidance and students work
  • Agree to be the supervising attorney
  • Agree to adhere to the law school guidelines of supervising attorneys
  • Adhere to the Washington professional rules of responsibility

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