Don’t have to pass state bar exam to practice law

Published 1:30 am Sunday, November 20, 2022

A reader in a recent letter to the editor asserted that there are circumstances where a law-trained person not admitted to the state bar association may lawfully practice law in Washington. This is correct.

A common example is a law student admitted to limited practice under Rule 9 who is allowed to argue cases in court under the supervision of a licensed lawyer.

My son, Derek, was granted permission by the Washington Chief Justice to argue a case in the state Supreme Court while still a law student. This can be verified by checking with the recently elected Snohomish County Prosecutor who lost the case to Derek, 9-0.

Tom P. Conom

Edmonds