Mississippi Bar Reciprocity

Rule VI of the Rules Governing Admission to the Mississippi Bar governs admission to the Mississippi Bar for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions. The process in Mississippi is called Admission by Comity and Reciprocity. Attorneys must have practiced not less than five years in a reciprocal jurisdiction.

Reciprocity

The Admission on Motion procedure in Mississippi is based on bar reciprocity. Attorneys must be from a state with laws granting similar privileges to Mississippi attorneys and with bar admission requirements equivalent to those in Mississippi. The Board determines whether another jurisdiction grants “similar privileges” to applicants from Mississippi.

If the attorney’s home jurisdiction allows reciprocity but the rules are more stringent and exacting, contain other limitations, restrictions, conditions, or require higher fees, the attorney will be governed by the same rules and fees that would apply to Mississippi attorneys. The Board determines the attorney’s home jurisdiction in cases where the attorney is admitted to more than one jurisdiction.

For jurisdictions that require the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (“MPRE”) as a prerequisite to admission on motion, Mississippi requires the MPRE and same passing score requirement as the attorney’s home jurisdiction.

Attorneys from these states may be Admitted on Motion in Mississippi (No MPRE Requirement)
Attorneys from these states may be Admitted on Motion in Mississippi (Additional MPRE Requirement)
Attorneys from these states cannot be Admitted on Motion in Mississippi

Reciprocal Jurisdictions

Mississippi’s Bar Reciprocity List contains states that will, and will not, reciprocate with Mississippi. The list also contains MPRE score requirements by state and their applicable time limits for achieving the passing MPRE score. The map above identifies the states with which Mississippi has bar reciprocity and the corresponding MPRE scores for states that require the MPRE as a condition for Admission on Motion. The map correspond with the information provided by Mississippi. Attorneys may want to consult the Bar Reciprocity – MPRE Map. As always, attorneys should also contact their home jurisdiction and Mississippi.

Additional Requirements

Mississippi’s addition reciprocity requirements include:

Law Degree. A law degree from an ABA provisionally or fully approved law school at the time of graduation.

Character and Fitness. Attorneys must meet the applicable character and fitness standards.

Good Standing and Prior Bar Exam. Attorneys must be admitted and in good standing in all jurisdictions where admitted. Attorneys cannot be subject to discipline in another state that would make the attorney ineligible for admission in Mississippi. Attorneys cannot have failed the Mississippi bar exam within the past five years.

Practice of Law. Attorneys must have actively practiced law after admission for not less than five years in a reciprocal jurisdiction. The “practice of law” must have constituted a full-time or regular undertaking and cannot have been on an occasional or haphazard basis. The practice requirement is intended for practice of a general nature and not work that is narrow in scope, work that can be performed by a non-lawyer, or work that does not generally require the services of an attorney. “Practice of law” includes:

  • Private Practice (partner or associate of a private or public law firm)
  • Judges, Magistrates, ALJs, or Referees
  • Government Attorneys (primary duties of providing legal advice or representation of the government agency in the courts)
  • Judicial Clerks
  • Corporate Counsel (legal officer of a corporation or other business organization)
  • Not specifically enumerated: No major categories.
  • Does not include: The unauthorized practice of law in a jurisdiction where it was performed or in the jurisdiction where the client was located.

MPRE. For jurisdictions that require the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) as a prerequisite to admission on motion, Mississippi requires the same MPRE and passing score requirement as that jurisdiction. Please see the map above and the Admission on Motion – MPRE Map.

Mississippi Bar Reciprocity Application Procedure

Attorneys eligible for Admission on Motion in Mississippi must complete the Application. Applications may be accepted at any time. A minimum of four months is required to process the application.

Attorneys that apply for Admission on Motion but are determined to not be eligible may forward their application to the next scheduled Mississippi bar exam.