4 ms·
> You can't become a lawyer without passing the bar. In states where you don't need to go to Law school and anyone can pass the bar, doesn't this make the fiel
by csomar 6y ago
> You can't become a lawyer without passing the bar.
In states where you don't need to go to Law school and anyone can pass the bar, doesn't this make the field accessible? The bar cost $100-$1300 depending on the state + travel costs which is not that far from a good laptop cost to do any meaningful programming.
You'll probably need a $200 laptop and an internet connection. You can do paralegal freelancing in the same way you can do small programming jobs.
Edit: Writing is also accessible. Accounting is also accessible, though if you are becoming a CPA you need some college credits. Online marketing is accessible. Trading is also accessible. All of these can be done from the comfort of your couch and only need a laptop with an Internet connection.
- watwut 6y agoAfaik, it is extraordinary rare to pass the bar without going to Law school. That test is quite difficult.
- mamon 6y agoTest being difficult is not a problem, we want our lawyers to be competent, after all. The more important part is if it is fair. In Poland bar exam had been famous for near impossible questions, which were only answered correctly by applicants that knew them in advance, which typically were family members of already practicing attorneys/judges.
- csomar 6y agoBut that's beyond the point, right? The question is whether it is accessible. Which for some states it is, and could be done by reading material. The same can be said about programming and software development.
- watwut 6y agoMy point precisely is that you can't pass just by "reading material". It is too hard for that.
- dizzystar 6y agoThere are only 4 US states that allow you to take the bar without going to school: California, Vermont, Virginia, Washington. These states don't allow a random to come from nowhere and take the bar exam. They require you to be an apprentice at a law firm: https://barprephero.com/learn/take-the-bar-exam-without-law-school/ https://barprephero.com/learn/take-the-bar-exam-without-law-... This is CA, for example: * Four years studying in a law office * 18 hours per week * Five hours of direct supervision * Monthly exams * Bi-annual progress reports * Supervising attorney must have five years of active law practice in California (you can see the reqs for other states in the article) ** According to this article: https://priceonomics.com/how-to-be-a-lawyer-without-going-to-law-school/ https://priceonomics.com/how-to-be-a-lawyer-without-going-to... Only 60 apprentices in the nation took the bar in the year discussed. 17 passed. I'm not sure if I'd call that accessible.