Simotas, Hoylman push bar exam exemption for law grads serving low-income clients
A pair of state lawmakers have introduced legislation to allow law graduates to continue representing low-income clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, even if they have failed the bar exam twice.
The bill sponsored by Astoria Assemblymember Aravella Simotas and State Sen. Brad Hoylman would allow repeat test-takers to represent some clients under the supervision of a licensed attorney while they wait to take and pass the lawyer licensing requirement.
The July bar exam was postponed until September, leaving repeat test-takers unable to try again. A rescheduled September exam may also face postponement as COVID-19 surges across the country.