Law Office Study – Additional States

Becoming a Lawyer Without Law School: The Apprenticeship Route

For aspiring lawyers, the traditional path has been to attend a three-year law school program after completing an undergraduate degree. However, a handful of states still allow an alternative route – reading the law through a law office study or apprenticeship program.

What is a Law Office Study Program? A law office study program enables individuals to become lawyers by apprenticing under the supervision of practicing attorneys or judges, instead of going to law school. Sometimes called “reading the law,” these programs combine guided study with real-world legal work experience.

Which States Offer This Option? Currently, the following states permit some form of a law office study curriculum to earn a law license:

California Vermont Virginia Washington New York (limited program) Wyoming (for existing residents only)

Program Requirements While the specific requirements vary across states, law office study programs generally involve:

• Apprenticing/clerking for several years (often 4+ years) under an experienced lawyer or judge
• Structured curriculum of reading and studying specific areas of law
• Passing the state’s bar examination

For example, in Vermont a student must study for 4 years, with at least 25 hours per week devoted to reading legal texts and receiving instruction from their supervisor.

Pros and Cons The main advantages of a law office study program include:

• Avoiding hefty law school tuition costs
• Gaining direct practical experience
• More scheduling flexibility than law school

However, these programs also have some significant downsides:

• Limited career mobility across state lines
• Programs are very difficult and have low pass rates
• You don’t earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree
• Fewer employers may recognize this credential

Is It Right for You? While law office study programs are a nontraditional option, they require an incredible amount of self-directed study, determination, and stamina. Those considering this route should carefully weigh both the potential benefits and drawbacks.

For anyone intrigued by this possibility, the first step is thoroughly researching the explicit rules and requirements in your state of interest. An outstanding apprenticeship opportunity under a great mentor can make this a viable path for some very driven individuals.

Have questions? Let us know. We are developing study programs and working with different states to support lawyers and judges who agree to apprenticing.