New Jersey - Reciprocity is coming soon

    New Jersey currently does not offer reciprocity with any other jurisdiction.  See New Jersey Board of Bar Examiner's FAQ.

    However, that will change soon.

    On April 14, 2016, the New Jersey Supreme Court adopted a proposal to allow admission by motion.  See New Jersey Courts - April 14, 2016 News Release.  To be eligible for admission by motion, the applicant must:

1.  hold a juris doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school;
2.  demonstrate fitness and character to practice law;
3.  attain a qualifying score on the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Examination or pass an approved law school ethics course;
4.  have practiced for five of the last seven years in another jurisdiction;
5.  have previously passed a bar examination in another jurisdiction;
6.  be admitted in a jurisdiction that would extend a reciprocal license by motion to New Jersey lawyers;
7.  complete a course on New Jersey ethics and professionalism as a condition precedent to admission;
8.  and be certified by the Committee on Character and meet all other criteria for admission.

See News Release.  Of these eight criteria, all but number 6 are within the control of the applicant.  Moreover, for an experienced attorney, satisfying these criteria should not be burdensome.

    Thus, the remaining questions are:  Which states will extend a reciprocal license and when?  And when will this process be official?

- Henry Park