California Bar is Considering Whether to Impose Practical Training Requirement

The California bar is considering whether to impose a practical skills training requirement on lawyers applying for admission, which would mean applicants would have to attain a level of hands-on training before practicing, the National Law Journal reported.

How California resolves the issue could affect the legal profession and law schools around the country, since California’s is the largest bar in the U.S.

Ideas under review include internship requirements, a mentoring program, completion of a skills-training course, or a year-long class for third-year law students that covers lawyering skills.

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/04/30/california-bar-considering-practical-skills-mandate-for-new-lawyers/