When it comes to practicing law, it has always been a crucial question of “Can I practice out of state?” secondary to various reasons. One of which is to maximize the scope of cases a practicing lawyer takes on and stabilize his or her standing as a lawyer, which is frankly a good idea to put his knowledge to use and help those in need.

However, the United States consists of 50 states, and these states often vary in law practices inside the courtroom despite being under federal law or congressional law. This is why it is a mindful inquiry to confirm whether an attorney can represent a client and practice outside their original licensure state. If you belong to the population which is also thinking the same thing, here is some of the information you might want to know about regarding the matter.

Every State Varies

A licensed lawyer can legally practice law in the state they took the bar exam and passed. They may also practice law outside their original state, provided that they must undergo a few requirements and applications.

Federal Law Practice

In the hopes of helping clients out of the state and widening the lawyer’s range of cases, practicing federal law requires an initial application. The practitioner should request admission to appear in the courthouse of the sector. If blessed and the attorney has been granted access, they would not be required to a State Bar Exam.

Uniform Bar Exam

If the lawyer’s goal is to practice law in many states, it is recommended to take the Uniform Bar Exam or UBE. The UBE is regulated by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and consists of a) Essay, b) 2 Performance Tests, and c) Bar Examination. This is a graded and standardized examination wherein the test giver would submit the scores to other UBE jurisdictions.

Up to this date, NCBE listed 40 states with adopted UBE, including cities such as Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. If the lawyer’s score meets the qualified test score for the district he or she is requesting admission to, it would be safe for him or her to practice law in the said state.

Why is it Important: Practicing while Following the Law

In many cases, the last thing a legal representative wants is to harm his or her credibility as a public servant and professional. This is why lawyers and clients must understand the concept behind certification and qualifications per state. A lawyer must be able to put his best foot forward in representing the client in the courtroom, and that would only be positively possible if he or she is confident and state licensed. As for the client, it is best to go for attorneys who are well-grasped in the courtroom. This way, the clients can develop a pleasant transaction with both parties on the same page. For more information, ask an immigration lawyer in Houston or anywhere near you.