Rule 8(c) of the Admission to Practice Rules allows attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions who are applying and eligible to take the Washington bar exam to render legal services on behalf of indigent clients in either a bar association or governmentally sponsored legal services organization or in a public defender’s office or similar program.
Eligibility
Attorneys must apply for and take the first bar exam that is given more than 90 days after the date of the applicants admission to practice under the rule.
Practice
Approved attorneys may appear before the Washington courts in any matter, litigation, or administrative proceeding. The following limitations apply:
- Attorneys are subject to the Washington Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct and the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct.
- In any such matter, litigation, or administrative proceeding, the applicant must be associated with an active member of the Washington Bar Association, who must be the lawyer of record and responsible for the conduct of the matter, litigation, or administrative proceeding.
Application and Certification
Applications to practice must be made to the Board of Governors.
Termination
The right to practice terminates one year form the original date of admission. The right to practice may be terminated:
- By the Washington Supreme Court at any time with or without cause
- Automatically for failure to take or pass the required bar exam.
- For failure to become an active member of the Bar Association within 60 days of the date the bar exam results are made public; or