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Committee splits on apprenticeship path to the bar; amendment passed but bill fails in committee
Summary
House Bill 16‑09, proposing a Supreme Court‑developed apprenticeship pathway to bar admission, drew lengthy debate. The committee approved an amendment to remove a provision allowing certain legislators to sit for the bar but then voted down a "do pass" recommendation 8‑6; members agreed to consider further study.
House Bill 16‑09, which would require the Supreme Court in cooperation with the state board of law examiners to develop an apprenticeship path to sit for the bar exam, generated extended debate on whether life experience and supervised practice can substitute for law school.
Proponents cited other states with alternative routes to the bar. Representative Van Winkle listed several examples, saying that in "California you can take the bar exam without attending law school," that "Washington...you just need an apprenticeship program," and that other states permit various alternative paths. He described the proposal as…
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