Utah Supreme Court Approves Alternate Pathway to Bar

Utah Supreme Court Approves Alternate Pathway to Bar

“This is not about making it easier to become a lawyer,” Utah Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice, and Working Group Chair, John A. Pearce, said in a statement. “It’s about making it smarter.”

Utah Creates Alternative Path to Licensure: Law Graduates May Now Skip Bar Exam Through Practical Training

In a move poised to reshape how attorneys enter the legal profession, the Utah Supreme Court has announced a new rule that allows law school graduates to become licensed without passing the traditional bar exam. Instead, starting in January 2026, graduates from accredited law schools will be able to pursue licensure by completing a rigorous program of supervised, hands-on training. A New Model for Legal Licensure Under the new rule, candidates m…

Utah Supreme Court approves skills-based pathway to attorney licensure - Utah Policy

The Utah Supreme Court has approved a groundbreaking rule (Rule 14-703A) creating an Alternate Pathway to Attorney Licensure, administered by the Utah State Bar. This newly adopted option is offered starting next year and is a skills-based, practice-ready route for law school graduates to become licensed attorneys. It complements the existing bar exam format with a pathway that reflects the evolving needs of both the profession, and the public. …

Utah Breaks New Ground with Skills-Based Alternative to Traditional Bar Exam

Utah has joined the growing movement to rethink attorney licensure in the United States, as the Utah Supreme Court approved Rule 14-703A, establishing an alternate pathway to becoming a licensed attorney that emphasizes hands-on legal training over traditional standardized testing. The new route, approved Sept. 24 and which will be open to applications starting Jan. […]