The most pressing issue of our legal system is that there aren’t enough lawyers from marginalized communities representing marginalized people.
Legal apprenticeship is a solution.
In California, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian Americans make up over 60% of the population, but just one-third of all lawyers in the state. Even with an overwhelming need for legal representation, there is less than one attorney for every 10,000 people living in poverty nationwide.*
Women of color make up over half of all people living in poverty. For those seeking a legal career, law school–and the tens of thousands of dollars of debt that comes with it–just isn’t a viable option. For those who must balance work and higher education with caregiving duties, as Black women in particular are more likely to do, law school–and the strenuous, full-time requirements that come with it–just isn’t a viable option.
Rachel Johnson-Farias
Founder & Executive Director of Esq. Apprentice
It’s time for an apprenticeship movement in law.
Legal apprenticeship is a vastly more flexible and accessible approach to obtaining a law license. Rather than attending law school, aspiring lawyers have the opportunity to learn the law through hands-on experience–working in a law office or legal environment for pay– while studying the required legal curriculum.
In an America where the imprisonment rate for African American women is two times that of white women, creating opportunities for Black and Brown women to enter the legal profession is of vital importance. Legal apprenticeship stands as a crucial gateway.
Like all movements, Esq. Apprentice builds on the foundations of freedom laid by our ancestors.
At the turn of the century, formerly enslaved and immigrant people utilized the apprenticeship path to become the first lawyers in their communities. The first Black attorney in the United States–Macon Bolling Allen–was an apprentice lawyer. He was licensed on July 3rd, 1844.
We believe it’s time to revive the apprenticeship system to empower a new generation of lawyers—all with vital experience with the realities of low- and middle-income living; mixed-status immigrant households; and being a person of color in America.
To learn more about legal apprenticeship in California and beyond, visit the FAQ section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Law Office Study Program (LOSP) is the official name of California Bar Association's legal apprenticeship program. More information is available here.
For the specific requirements, Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 4 - Admissions and Educational Standards (refer to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 3, Rule 4.29)
For up-to-date information regarding CA Bar's Law Office Study Program requirements and regulations, visit https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admi....
For more information, the requirements for admission and parameters for completing CA Bar's LOSP to practice law in California are contained in the Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 4 - Admissions and Educational Standards. For the specific requirements, refer to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 3, Rule 4.29.
Once educational requirements are met, California LOSP apprentices are responsible for finding a supervising attorney, pay the $158 registration fee and submit with their supervising attorney, a Notice of Intent to study Law in a Law Office or Judge’s Chamber to the CA Bar’s office of admission by the start date of their apprenticeship.
Apprentices must follow the curriculum submitted by the supervising attorney in the Notice of Intent under the supervising attorney’s supervision for at least 18 hours a week, for 4 years over a 48 consecutive weeks per year.
The supervising attorney must give written examinations at least once a month and submit a semiannual (every 6 months from admission) report to the bar noting topics covered and materials used, along with $105 submission fee, and the questions and answers of the monthly test.
- All reports must include the Law Office Study Report cover sheet and must be submitted by certified mail with return receipt requested or delivered in person to either Los Angeles or San Francisco Office of Admissions.
After the first year participants must pass the “Baby Bar” or the California First Year Law students (CAFYLS) examination, usually administered in JUNE and OCTOBER.
- Those who pass within the first 3 administered test cycles get credit for all study up to that point.
- If takes more than 3 tries to pass the CAFYLS, they earn credit for only 1 year of study.
After 3 more years of consistent reporting and good standing with the CA Bar's LOSP, the apprentice then qualifies to sit for the California Bar examination, which is given in July and February. During this final year the apprentice will also need to submit other qualifying documentation that once they pass the Bar Exam they become eligible to become a licenced attorney in California!
No, law apprenticeship programs are available in 4 states in the United States. Although each program differs depending on the state and the corresponding Bar Associations that design and oversee the program.
These states offer legal apprenticeship as a complete alternative to law school: Washington state, Vermont, and Virginia. If you are interested in learning more about legal apprenticeship outside of California, please see this guide from our community partner, The Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC).
If you are interested in Esq. Apprentice's support fellowship, it is currently only available in the greater Bay Area (based out of Oakland, CA).
Some basic information about states’ rules for bar admission for apprentices. Please see each state’s bar admissions rules for additional details and information on how to register as an apprentice.
- California: California’s complete bar admission rules are at this link. Requires 4 years of study in a law office, at least 18 hours per week, 5 hours of direct supervision, monthly exams, bi-annual progress reports to the CA State Bar. Supervising attorney must have 5 years of active law practice in the state.
- Vermont: Vermont’s Law Office Study Program rules are at this link. The program requires 4 years of supervision by a judge or attorney. Supervising attorney must have 3 years of experience.
- Virginia: Virginia’s complete Law Reader Program rules are at this link. Requires 3 years of law office study, 40 weeks per year, 25 hours per week, with 3 hours per week of direct supervision by attorney. Supervising attorney must have at least 10 years of experience. Note that the apprentice may not be employed by or compensated by the supervising attorney.
- Washington: Washington’s complete bar admission rules are at this link. Requires 4 years of employment in a law office, an average of 32 hours of work/study per week, 3 hours per week of direct attorney supervision. Supervising attorney must have 10 years of experience. Apprentices must pay an annual fee of $1,500. Note that the apprentice must be employed by the attorney.
No. The State Bar requires higher education credits (roughly equivalent to the units necessary to complete an Associate’s degree) or tests demonstrating equivalency. Review State Bar Rule 4.25 here and the education page at the CA Bar website here for more information.
For the specific requirements, Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 4 - Admissions and Educational Standards (refer to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 3, Rule 4.29)
In California, after the CA Bar Association has approved your admission to the LOSP, apprenticing for about four years, and completing all testing and reporting requirements; apprentices will be eligible to sit for the California bar. If you pass the California bar (and moral character requirements) you will be a licensed California attorney. You can learn more about admissions requirements, the bar exam, and what it means to be licensed in California here.
No, you may complete the California apprenticeship program on your own!
For more information on how to register on your own and rules of the apprenticeship program, visit the California bar website on apprenticeship here.
Applications for our Cohort are currently CLOSED!
|
|
To stay up to date on program developments (including application openings) please join our mailing list.
The California State Bar Association is the entity that mandates the topics and process for how the California Bar First-Year Law Students' Examination is administered. They do periodically change these details, so be sure to confirm exam related details with them.
The best place to check for any updates regarding the details of the California Bar First-Year Law Students' Examination is: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/First-Year-Law-Students-Examination
For information on grading and scope of the exam: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/First-Year-Law-Students-Examination/First-Year-Exam-Grading-and-Scope
Or to contact them directly at: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Contact-Us
The California State Bar Association is the entity that mandates the topics and process for how the California Bar Exam is administered. They do periodically change these details, so be sure to confirm Exam related details with them.
The best place to check for any updates regarding the details of the Bar Exam is at the California Bar Examination page: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination
The webpage for information on what is covered in the CA Bar Exam: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination/California-Bar-Examination-Scope
Or to contact them directly at: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Contact-Us
The Law Office Study Program (LOSP) is the official name of California Bar Association's legal apprenticeship program. More information is available here.
For the specific requirements, Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 4 - Admissions and Educational Standards (refer to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 3, Rule 4.29)
For up-to-date information regarding CA Bar's Law Office Study Program requirements and regulations, visit https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admi....
For more information, the requirements for admission and parameters for completing CA Bar's LOSP to practice law in California are contained in the Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 4 - Admissions and Educational Standards. For the specific requirements, refer to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 3, Rule 4.29.
Once educational requirements are met, California LOSP apprentices are responsible for finding a supervising attorney, pay the $158 registration fee and submit with their supervising attorney, a Notice of Intent to study Law in a Law Office or Judge’s Chamber to the CA Bar’s office of admission by the start date of their apprenticeship.
Apprentices must follow the curriculum submitted by the supervising attorney in the Notice of Intent under the supervising attorney’s supervision for at least 18 hours a week, for 4 years over a 48 consecutive weeks per year.
The supervising attorney must give written examinations at least once a month and submit a semiannual (every 6 months from admission) report to the bar noting topics covered and materials used, along with $105 submission fee, and the questions and answers of the monthly test.
- All reports must include the Law Office Study Report cover sheet and must be submitted by certified mail with return receipt requested or delivered in person to either Los Angeles or San Francisco Office of Admissions.
After the first year participants must pass the “Baby Bar” or the California First Year Law students (CAFYLS) examination, usually administered in JUNE and OCTOBER.
- Those who pass within the first 3 administered test cycles get credit for all study up to that point.
- If takes more than 3 tries to pass the CAFYLS, they earn credit for only 1 year of study.
After 3 more years of consistent reporting and good standing with the CA Bar's LOSP, the apprentice then qualifies to sit for the California Bar examination, which is given in July and February. During this final year the apprentice will also need to submit other qualifying documentation that once they pass the Bar Exam they become eligible to become a licenced attorney in California!
No, law apprenticeship programs are available in 4 states in the United States. Although each program differs depending on the state and the corresponding Bar Associations that design and oversee the program.
These states offer legal apprenticeship as a complete alternative to law school: Washington state, Vermont, and Virginia. If you are interested in learning more about legal apprenticeship outside of California, please see this guide from our community partner, The Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC).
If you are interested in Esq. Apprentice's support fellowship, it is currently only available in the greater Bay Area (based out of Oakland, CA).
Some basic information about states’ rules for bar admission for apprentices. Please see each state’s bar admissions rules for additional details and information on how to register as an apprentice.
- California: California’s complete bar admission rules are at this link. Requires 4 years of study in a law office, at least 18 hours per week, 5 hours of direct supervision, monthly exams, bi-annual progress reports to the CA State Bar. Supervising attorney must have 5 years of active law practice in the state.
- Vermont: Vermont’s Law Office Study Program rules are at this link. The program requires 4 years of supervision by a judge or attorney. Supervising attorney must have 3 years of experience.
- Virginia: Virginia’s complete Law Reader Program rules are at this link. Requires 3 years of law office study, 40 weeks per year, 25 hours per week, with 3 hours per week of direct supervision by attorney. Supervising attorney must have at least 10 years of experience. Note that the apprentice may not be employed by or compensated by the supervising attorney.
- Washington: Washington’s complete bar admission rules are at this link. Requires 4 years of employment in a law office, an average of 32 hours of work/study per week, 3 hours per week of direct attorney supervision. Supervising attorney must have 10 years of experience. Apprentices must pay an annual fee of $1,500. Note that the apprentice must be employed by the attorney.
No. The State Bar requires higher education credits (roughly equivalent to the units necessary to complete an Associate’s degree) or tests demonstrating equivalency. Review State Bar Rule 4.25 here and the education page at the CA Bar website here for more information.
For the specific requirements, Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 4 - Admissions and Educational Standards (refer to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 3, Rule 4.29)
In California, after the CA Bar Association has approved your admission to the LOSP, apprenticing for about four years, and completing all testing and reporting requirements; apprentices will be eligible to sit for the California bar. If you pass the California bar (and moral character requirements) you will be a licensed California attorney. You can learn more about admissions requirements, the bar exam, and what it means to be licensed in California here.
No, you may complete the California apprenticeship program on your own!
For more information on how to register on your own and rules of the apprenticeship program, visit the California bar website on apprenticeship here.
Applications for our Cohort are currently CLOSED!
|
|
To stay up to date on program developments (including application openings) please join our mailing list.
The California State Bar Association is the entity that mandates the topics and process for how the California Bar First-Year Law Students' Examination is administered. They do periodically change these details, so be sure to confirm exam related details with them.
The best place to check for any updates regarding the details of the California Bar First-Year Law Students' Examination is: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/First-Year-Law-Students-Examination
For information on grading and scope of the exam: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/First-Year-Law-Students-Examination/First-Year-Exam-Grading-and-Scope
Or to contact them directly at: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Contact-Us
The California State Bar Association is the entity that mandates the topics and process for how the California Bar Exam is administered. They do periodically change these details, so be sure to confirm Exam related details with them.
The best place to check for any updates regarding the details of the Bar Exam is at the California Bar Examination page: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination
The webpage for information on what is covered in the CA Bar Exam: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination/California-Bar-Examination-Scope
Or to contact them directly at: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Contact-Us
