Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –Law school graduates could soon practice law in NM without passing the bar exam. The NM Supreme Court announced today a skills-based pathway for law school graduates to become licensed to practice law by working under the supervision of a lawyer and submitting their portfolio to demonstrate their legal skills. The process would involve completing at least 675 hours of legal work within a 12 month period under the supervision of a qualified attorney. An order was issued last week by the Court establishing a process, along with the State Board of Bar Examiners, to develop the necessary rules, forms, rubrics, and training guides to implement the skills based pathway. They expect to begin receiving applications by the middle of 2027. The process could eventually bring lawyers to communities in rural areas of the state where it’s difficult to find a lawyer. The bar exam will continue to be an option for law school graduates in NM.
