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Education
Becoming a lawyer in Utah requires a degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA-approved schools in Utah are: University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School, and the J.D./M.B.A. program at Westminster College.
The standard law degree is a Juris Doctor (JD) and typically takes three years of full-time study to complete. However, students can opt for accelerated JD programs, which can be completed in two years. During their studies, law students typically take courses in constitutional law, contracts, property law, civil procedure, and legal writing.
Bar Exam
The Utah Bar Exam is administered by the Utah State Bar. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have a valid JD degree from an ABA-approved law school, as well as a valid Certificate of Good Standing from the Utah Supreme Court.
The bar exam consists of five parts: two multistate tests (the Multistate Bar Exam and the Multistate Performance Test), two essay exams, and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam. The bar exam is typically held over two days, with the multistate tests administered on the first day, and the essay and MPRE exams on the second day.
Licensing
After passing the bar exam, applicants must submit a completed application for admission to the bar, along with the required fees. This application includes an extensive background check, and applicants must provide information about any criminal convictions, disciplinary proceedings, or other matters that may be relevant to their eligibility for admission. Applicants must also submit a character and fitness questionnaire and provide letters of recommendation.
Once their application is approved, applicants must attend a swearing-in ceremony and take the oath of office. At that point, they will be admitted to the bar and officially become a licensed attorney in the state of Utah.
In total, it typically takes seven years to become a licensed attorney in Utah: four years to complete a bachelor’s degree, three years to complete a law degree, and one year to prepare for and pass the bar exam. It is also possible to take the bar exam without a law degree, although this is not recommended.
Becoming a lawyer in Utah is a big commitment – with the right guidance one could fulfil their dreams. It requires hard work, dedication, and research to understand the process. Good luck!