Rule 42(X)(a) of the New Hampshire Supreme Court Rules governs admission to the New Hampshire Bar for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions. The process in New Hampshire is called Admission on Motion. Attorneys must have been admitted by bar exam in another jurisdiction and have been primarily engaged in the practice of law for five of the seven years immediately preceding the application for admission. In addition, the attorney must have passed a bar exam in a reciprocal jurisdiction and currently be in good standing in that jurisdiction OR have met the duration practice requirement in a reciprocal jurisdiction.
Graduates From the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program
Individuals may be eligible for admission without examination if they are graduates from the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program offered at the Franklin Pierce Law Center in New Hampshire.
Maine and Vermont Attorneys
New Hampshire has special admission rules for attorneys admitted in Maine or Vermont. Attorneys admitted in Maine or Vermont should consult both the general Admission on Motion rules and the special rules for Maine or Vermont attorneys. (The primary difference is the duration practice requirement, which is reduced to three years, and 15 hours of CLE education.)
Reciprocity
The Admission on Motion procedure in New Hampshire is based on bar reciprocity. Attorneys must be licensed in a jurisdiction that allows Admission on Motion for New Hampshire attorneys under circumstances comparable to the New Hampshire Rules. Attorneys have the burden of proving their home jurisdiction is reciprocal.
| Attorneys from these states may be Admitted on Motion in New Hampshire | |
| Maine and Vermont have special Admission on Motion Rules |
Reciprocal Jurisdictions
New Hampshire’s Reciprocity List contains a preliminary determination of reciprocal and non-reciprocal jurisdictions. The list is only a preliminary determination and is subject to change. The map above identifies the states with which New Hampshire has bar reciprocity.
Additional Requirements
New Hampshire’s additional reciprocity requirements include:
Law Degree. A law degree from an ABA approved law school. The school must have a three-year course requiring students to devote substantially all of their working time to study (full-time school); a four-year course equivalent to the working hours of a three-year course in a full-time law school where students devote only part of their working time to their studies (part-time law school); or a combination of the two. Study in any law school permitting courses by correspondence or without attendance does not qualify.
Character and Fitness. Attorneys must meet the applicable character and fitness standards.
Good Standing and Prior Bar Exam. Attorneys must be in good standing in all jurisdictions where admitted and cannot be subject to discipline or a pending disciplinary proceeding. Attorneys cannot have resigned from the New Hampshire Bar. Attorneys must also have passed a bar exam and cannot have failed the New Hampshire bar exam within five years of the application for admission.
Practice of Law. Attorneys must have been primarily engaged in the active practice of law in a reciprocal jurisdiction for five of the seven years immediately preceding the application for admission. “Active practice of law” includes:
- Private Practice (representation of one or more clients)
- Judges (local, state, or federal courts of record)
- Government Attorneys (local, state, or federal)
- Judicial Clerks
- Military Attorneys
- Law Professors teaching at ABA approved law schools
- Corporate Counsel
- 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. The attorney must achieve a scaled score of 79 or greater on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam prior to filing the application for admission.
Mandatory Practice Skills Seminar. Attorneys are required to attend the New Hampshire practice skills course that is offered once each year. The seminar must be completed within two years of admission. Failing to meet this requirement results in a suspended license. The time period may be extended for exceptional circumstances and after a written application to the court.
The license may be suspended if the attorney leaves New Hampshire for a military or government assignment and notifies the court in writing. The attorney must attend the first available seminar after his or her return and must complete the seminar within three years of departure. The three year period may be extended for exceptional circumstances.
Designate the New Hampshire Supreme Court Clerk for Process.
New Hampshire Bar Reciprocity Application Procedure
Attorneys eligible for Admission on Motion in New Hampshire must complete the Application. Applications may be filed at any time. New Hampshire advises attorneys that the process may be lengthy.