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Subcommittee approves substitute to clarify education eligibility for Virginia law reader program
Summary
The Civil Law Subcommittee voted 6-0 to report a substitute clarifying which U.S.-based educational credentials count toward eligibility for the Virginia law reader (apprenticeship) pathway to the bar.
The Civil Law Subcommittee reported a substitute tied to a measure that clarifies which U.S.-based academic credentials qualify applicants for the Virginia law reader program. The motion to adopt the substitute passed and the subcommittee reported the bill by a 6-0 vote.
Delegate Carlson introduced the substitute to allow applicants who earned a U.S.-based bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree to qualify for the law reader pathway, addressing a constituent’s case in which the applicant’s undergraduate degree was earned abroad but the applicant later obtained advanced U.S. degrees. Counsel reported the substitute language was vetted and provided by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, which told the committee it could administer the change.
Brandy Singleton, representing the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners through the Office of the Secretary, told the panel that the language before the committee had been vetted and that the board “is on board with the bill.” No public opposition was recorded during the hearing. The clerk recorded the substitute as reported by a vote of 6-0.
Ending: The substitute advances the bill to the full committee; members noted related bills that recognize foreign bachelor’s degrees remain under consideration.
