Court of Appeals Calls For Early September Rescheduled Bar Exam

Court of Appeals Calls For Early September Rescheduled Bar Exam

3.31.2020

By Susan DeSantis

The New York State Court of Appeals decided today to seek to have the bar examination administered in early September shortly before or after Labor Day. This action comes one day after the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Task Force on the New York Bar Examination recommended that the postponed July bar exam be rescheduled for a date close to Labor Day.

“I commend the Court of Appeals for taking such decisive action at this unprecedented time of uncertainty,” said NYSBA President Henry M. Greenberg. “It gives law students who have worked so hard a measure of comfort and predictability to know that the highest court in New York is on their side.”

“The Court of Appeals has made the appropriate decision that will benefit thousands of law students,” said Justice Alan Scheinkman, presiding justice of the Appellate Division of the Second Judicial Department and chair of the bar association task force.  “Our task force is very proud that our report contributed to the court’s wise and prudent decision.”

The Court of Appeals today also authorized Chief Judge Janet DiFiore to explore the expansion of practice orders to include law graduates who are awaiting the administration of the first bar examination following their graduation, as well as law graduates who have taken the bar examination and meet the required criteria.

NYSBA had called for this historic expansion of the practice orders, which allows law school graduates to engage in law practice activities under the supervision of attorneys. New York law presently permits governmental agencies such as district attorney offices, corporation counsels, and legal aid organizations to apply to the Appellate Division for an order permitting law school graduates and law students who meet certain criteria to engage in specified law practice activities.

About the New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, the Association has helped shape the development of law, educated and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.

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Contact: Susan DeSantis
sdesantis@nysba.org
201/575-5756