Alabama Bar Reciprocity

Rule III of the Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar governs admission to the Alabama Bar for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions. The process in Alabama is called Reciprocity (admission without examination). Attorneys must have been primarily engaged in the active practice of law in one or more states, territories, or the District of Columbia for five of the six years immediately preceding the date the application is filed.

Reciprocity

The Reciprocity procedure in Alabama is based on bar reciprocity. The attorney must establish that the state, territory, or the District of Columbia where the attorney has or had his or her principal place of business for the practice of law, or where the attorney was or is domiciled and admitted before seeking admission in Alabama, would allow Alabama attorneys a similar accommodation as set forth in Alabama’s Rule III.

Alabama publishes a list of reciprocal jurisdictions. If an applicant is admitted in a jurisdiction that is not on that list, the applicant must submit a complete Certificate of Jurisdictional Reciprocity with the application.

Reciprocal Jurisdictions

See Alabama’s Reciprocal Jurisdictions for the current published list. The map above matches that list as of the last content verification. Always confirm the list with the Alabama State Bar Admissions Office before applying.

Additional Requirements

Alabama’s additional reciprocity requirements under Rule III include:

Intent To Practice Law in Alabama. Attorneys must be permanent residents of Alabama at the time of application or must certify their intent to conduct the primary practice of law in Alabama and to maintain an office for the practice of law in Alabama. “Primary practice of law” means at least 75% of the time devoted to the practice of law will be conducted in Alabama.

Law Degree. A first professional degree in law (J.D. or L.L.B.) from an ABA approved law school at the time the degree was conferred (or as otherwise permitted under the current Rule III / Rule IV law-school provisions).

Character and Fitness. Attorneys must meet the applicable character and fitness standards under Rule V. The character and fitness investigation may be conducted through the NCBE.

Good Standing and Prior Bar Exam. Attorneys must be currently in good standing in all jurisdictions where admitted and cannot be subject to lawyer discipline or a pending disciplinary matter. Attorneys cannot have previously failed the Alabama bar exam within ten years prior to the application.

Practice of Law. Attorneys must be primarily engaged in the active practice of law in one or more states, territories, or the District of Columbia for five of the past six years immediately preceding the application filing date. “Active practice of law” is defined in Rule III and generally includes the following activities if performed where the applicant is admitted to practice or if the activities were performed in a jurisdiction that affirmatively permits such activity by someone not admitted to practice:

• Private Practice (representation of one or more clients in the practice of law)
• Judges (local, state, territorial, or federal court of record)
• Government Attorneys (local, state, territorial, or federal agency)
• Judicial Law Clerks*
• Military Attorneys
• Corporate Counsel*

*Judicial Law Clerks and Corporate Counsel practices within Alabama performed in advance of bar admission do not qualify toward the duration requirement. Confirm the current Rule III definition before relying on any category.

• 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. The attorney must achieve a score of 75 or greater on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (“MPRE”). For reciprocity applicants, there is no time limitation on when the MPRE score must have been earned.

Alabama Bar Reciprocity Application Procedure

Reciprocity applications and forms are available from the Alabama State Bar Admissions Office under Information & Applications (Reciprocity section: general information, forms, and apply).