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'''Reading law''' is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law | '''Reading law''' is the method by which persons in [[common law]] countries, particularly the [[United States]], entered the [[Practice of law|legal profession]] before the advent of [[law school]]s. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession (although in England it is still customary to say that a university undergraduate is "reading" a course, which may be law or any other). ''Reading the law'' consists of an extended [[internship]] or [[apprenticeship]] under the [[Tutor|tutelage]] or [[Mentorship|mentoring]] of an experienced [[lawyer]]. A small number of U.S. jurisdictions still permit this practice today.<ref name="Adwar">{{cite web |url = http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-become-an-attorney-without-law-school-2014-7 |title = There's A Way To Become An Attorney Without Setting Foot In Law School |website = [[Business Insider]] |first = Corey |last = Adwar |date = July 30, 2014 }}</ref> | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
===United States=== | ===United States=== | ||
In colonial America, as in Britain in that day, law schools did not exist at all until Litchfield Law School was founded in 1773. Within a few years following the American Revolution, some universities such as the College of William and Mary and the University of Pennsylvania established a "Chair in Law".<ref>{{cite book |first = Albert J. |last = Harno |title = Legal Education in the United States: A Report Prepared for the Survey of the Legal Profession |year = 1953 |page = 23 |ref = harv }}</ref> However, the holder of this position would be the sole purveyor of legal education for the institution, and would give lectures designed to supplement, rather than replace, an apprenticeship.<ref>{{harvp|Harno|1953|p= 27}}.</ref> Even as a handful of law schools were established, they remained uncommon in the United States until the late nineteenth century. Most people who entered the legal profession did so through an apprenticeship which incorporated a period of study under the supervision of an experienced attorney. This usually encompassed the reading of the works considered at the time to be the most authoritative on the law, such as Edward Coke's ''Institutes of the Lawes of England'', William Blackstone's ''Commentaries on the Laws of England'', and similar texts.<ref>{{harvp|Harno|1953|pp=19–20}}.</ref> | In [[Colonial history of the United States|colonial America]], as in [[History of the British Isles|Britain]] in that day, law schools did not exist at all until [[Litchfield Law School]] was founded in 1773. Within a few years following the [[American Revolution]], some universities such as the [[College of William and Mary]] and the [[University of Pennsylvania]] established a "Chair in Law".<ref>{{cite book |first = Albert J. |last = Harno |title = Legal Education in the United States: A Report Prepared for the Survey of the Legal Profession |year = 1953 |page = 23 |ref = harv }}</ref> However, the holder of this position would be the sole purveyor of legal education for the institution, and would give lectures designed to supplement, rather than replace, an apprenticeship.<ref>{{harvp|Harno|1953|p= 27}}.</ref> Even as a handful of law schools were established, they remained uncommon in the United States until the late nineteenth century. Most people who entered the legal profession did so through an [[apprenticeship]] which incorporated a period of study under the supervision of an experienced attorney. This usually encompassed the reading of the works considered at the time to be the most authoritative on the law, such as [[Edward Coke]]'s ''[[Institutes of the Lawes of England]]'', [[William Blackstone]]'s ''[[Commentaries on the Laws of England]]'', and similar texts.<ref>{{harvp|Harno|1953|pp=19–20}}.</ref> | ||
The scholastic independence of the law student is evident from the following advice of Abraham Lincoln to a young man in 1855: | The scholastic independence of the law student is evident from the following advice of [[Abraham Lincoln]] to a young man in 1855: | ||
{{quote|If you are absolutely determined to make a lawyer of yourself the thing is more than half done already. It is a small matter whether you read with any one or not. I did not read with any one. Get the books and read and study them in their every feature, and that is the main thing. It is no consequence to be in a large town while you are reading. I read at New Salem, which never had three hundred people in it. The books and your capacity for understanding them are just the same in all places. [...] Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.< | {{quote|If you are absolutely determined to make a lawyer of yourself the thing is more than half done already. It is a small matter whether you read with any one or not. I did not read with any one. Get the books and read and study them in their every feature, and that is the main thing. It is no consequence to be in a large town while you are reading. I read at New Salem, which never had three hundred people in it. The books and your capacity for understanding them are just the same in all places. [...] Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.<@@@BTAG121980@@@>}} | ||
Reading law to become an attorney would be the norm, until the 1890s, when the American Bar Association (which had been formed in 1878) began pressing states to limit admission to the Bar to those persons who had satisfactorily completed several years of post-graduate institutional instruction.<ref>{{harvp|Harno|1953|pp=86–87}}.</ref> In 1941, [[James F. Byrnes]] became the last (July 8, 1941) Justice appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States who had never attended college or law school, and he was the penultimate appointee who had been admitted to practice by reading law. Byrnes was followed by Robert H. Jackson, who was commissioned just three days later (July 11, 1941) and had also been admitted to the practice of law by reading, although he had attended a law school for less than one year (instead of the customary three to four years, and had not graduated). | Reading law to become an attorney would be the norm, until the 1890s, when the [[American Bar Association]] (which had been formed in 1878) began pressing states to limit admission to the Bar to those persons who had satisfactorily completed several years of post-graduate institutional instruction.<ref>{{harvp|Harno|1953|pp=86–87}}.</ref> In 1941, [[James F. Byrnes]] became the last (July 8, 1941) Justice appointed to the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] who had never attended college or law school, and he was the penultimate appointee who had been admitted to practice by reading law. Byrnes was followed by [[Robert H. Jackson]], who was commissioned just three days later (July 11, 1941) and had also been admitted to the practice of law by reading, although he had attended a law school for less than one year (instead of the customary three to four years, and had not graduated). | ||
As of 2014, California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington | As of 2014, [[California]], [[Vermont]], [[Virginia]], and [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]] permit students to take the state bar exam after reading law with the help of an attorney as an alternative to law school. [[New York (U.S. state)|New York]], [[Maine]], and [[Wyoming]] allow students to study in a law office together with some period of time in law school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/want_to_avoid_the_costs_of_law_school_these_students_try_reading_law_path_t/|title=Students try to avoid law school costs with 'reading law' path to law license|first=A. B. A.|last=Journal|website=ABA Journal}}</ref> | ||
====Some notable Americans that became lawyers by reading law==== | ====Some notable Americans that became lawyers by reading law==== | ||
====US Presidents==== | ====US Presidents==== | ||
* John Adams<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.john-adams-heritage.com/early-life-education/|title=Education {{!}} John Adams Historical Society|website=www.john-adams-heritage.com|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> | * [[John Adams]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.john-adams-heritage.com/early-life-education/|title=Education {{!}} John Adams Historical Society|website=www.john-adams-heritage.com|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> | ||
* Thomas Jefferson | * [[Thomas Jefferson]] | ||
* James Monroe | * [[James Monroe]] | ||
* Andrew Jackson | * [[Andrew Jackson]] | ||
* Martin Van Buren | * [[Martin Van Buren]] | ||
* Millard Fillmore, also Vice President and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/millard-fillmore|title=Millard Fillmore|last=Editors|first=History com|website=HISTORY|language=en|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> | * [[Millard Fillmore]], also Vice President and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/millard-fillmore|title=Millard Fillmore|last=Editors|first=History com|website=HISTORY|language=en|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> | ||
* Abraham Lincoln | * [[Abraham Lincoln]] | ||
* James Garfield<ref>{{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=|title=: James A. Garfield Papers|url=|journal=Manuscript Division, Library of Congress|volume=|pages=|via=}}</ref> | * [[James Garfield]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=|title=: James A. Garfield Papers|url=|journal=Manuscript Division, Library of Congress|volume=|pages=|via=}}</ref> | ||
* Chester A. Arthur<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chester-A-Arthur|title=Chester A. Arthur {{!}} Biography, Presidency, Accomplishments, & Facts|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> | * [[Chester A. Arthur]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chester-A-Arthur|title=Chester A. Arthur {{!}} Biography, Presidency, Accomplishments, & Facts|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> | ||
* Woodrow Wilson<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Wilson_Woodrow_1856-1924#start_entry|title=Wilson, Woodrow (1856–1924)|website=www.encyclopediavirginia.org|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>, Left [[University of Virginia School of Law]] to read law. Also Gov. of NJ and Pres. of Princeton University | * [[Woodrow Wilson]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Wilson_Woodrow_1856-1924#start_entry|title=Wilson, Woodrow (1856–1924)|website=www.encyclopediavirginia.org|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>, Left [[University of Virginia School of Law]] to read law. Also Gov. of NJ and Pres. of [[Princeton University]] | ||
* Calvin Coolidge<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://millercenter.org/president/coolidge/life-before-the-presidency|title=Calvin Coolidge: Life Before the Presidency|date=2016-10-04|website=Miller Center|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> | * [[Calvin Coolidge]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://millercenter.org/president/coolidge/life-before-the-presidency|title=Calvin Coolidge: Life Before the Presidency|date=2016-10-04|website=Miller Center|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> | ||
====United States legislators that read law==== | ====United States legislators that read law==== | ||
* Alben W. Barkley, Vice President and Senate Minority Leader<ref name=paducah255>Libbey in "The Making of the 'Paducah Politician'", p. 255</ref> | * [[Alben W. Barkley]], Vice President and Senate Minority Leader<ref name=paducah255>Libbey in "The Making of the 'Paducah Politician'", p. 255</ref> | ||
* Daniel Webster, Senator from Massachusetts. | * [[Daniel Webster]], Senator from Massachusetts. | ||
* Charles Curtis,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Charles_Curtis.htm|title=U.S. Senate: Charles Curtis, 31st Vice President (1929-1933)|website=www.senate.gov|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> Vice President and Senate Majority Leader | * [[Charles Curtis]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Charles_Curtis.htm|title=U.S. Senate: Charles Curtis, 31st Vice President (1929-1933)|website=www.senate.gov|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> Vice President and Senate Majority Leader | ||
* | * [[George Gray (senator)|George Gray]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/gray-george|title=George Gray|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> Senator and Judge [[United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit|United States Court of Appeals]] | ||
* George Smith Houston,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archives.alabama.gov/govs_list/g_housto.html|title=Alabama Department of Archives and History: Alabama Governors--George Smith Houston|website=archives.alabama.gov|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> Senator and Governor of Alabama | * [[George Smith Houston]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archives.alabama.gov/govs_list/g_housto.html|title=Alabama Department of Archives and History: Alabama Governors--George Smith Houston|website=archives.alabama.gov|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> Senator and Governor of Alabama | ||
====United States Supreme Court Justices that read law==== | ====United States Supreme Court Justices that read law==== | ||
* John Rutledge | * [[John Rutledge]] | ||
* Joseph Story | * [[Joseph Story]] | ||
* Joseph Rucker Lamar<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/lamar-joseph-rucker|title=Lamar, Joseph Rucker at the Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | * [[Joseph Rucker Lamar]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/lamar-joseph-rucker|title=Lamar, Joseph Rucker at the Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | ||
* Mahlon Pitney<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/pitney-mahlon|title=Pitney, Mahlon at the Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | * [[Mahlon Pitney]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/pitney-mahlon|title=Pitney, Mahlon at the Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | ||
* George Shiras Jr., Left | * [[George Shiras Jr.]], Left Yale to read law. | ||
* William Henry Moody, Left | * [[William Henry Moody]], Left Harvard to read law. | ||
* Edward Douglass White<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/white-edward-douglass|website=www.fjc.gov|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | * [[Edward Douglass White]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/white-edward-douglass|website=www.fjc.gov|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | ||
* | * [[Pierce Butler (justice)|Pierce Butler]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/node/1378641|title=Butler, Pierce at Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | ||
* George Sutherland, Left | * [[George Sutherland]], Left University of Michigan to read law<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/capitalism/robes_sutherland.html|title=The Supreme Court . Capitalism and Conflict . Biographies of the Robes . Alexander George Sutherland {{!}} PBS|website=www.thirteen.org|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | ||
* John Hessin Clarke<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/clarke-john-hessin|title=Clarke, John Hessin at the Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | * [[John Hessin Clarke]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/clarke-john-hessin|title=Clarke, John Hessin at the Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> | ||
* Robert H. Jackson | * [[Robert H. Jackson]] | ||
* James F. Byrnes, Justice and Governor of South Carolina<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciway.net/hist/governors/byrnes.html|title=James Byrnes: South Carolina's Governor, 1951-1955|website=www.sciway.net|access-date=2019-10-11}}</ref> | * [[James F. Byrnes]], Justice and Governor of South Carolina<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciway.net/hist/governors/byrnes.html|title=James Byrnes: South Carolina's Governor, 1951-1955|website=www.sciway.net|access-date=2019-10-11}}</ref> | ||
====Other politicians that read law==== | ====Other politicians that read law==== | ||
* Marilla Ricker<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.library.unh.edu/find/archives/collections/marilla-ricker-1840-1920|title=Marilla Ricker, 1840-1920 {{!}} Library|website=www.library.unh.edu|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>, Examiner in Chancery | * [[Marilla Ricker]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.library.unh.edu/find/archives/collections/marilla-ricker-1840-1920|title=Marilla Ricker, 1840-1920 {{!}} Library|website=www.library.unh.edu|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>, Examiner in Chancery | ||
* Frank B. Kellogg, United States Secretary of State | * [[Frank B. Kellogg]], United States Secretary of State | ||
* Thomas R. Marshall<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/vice-president/VP_Thomas_Marshall.htm|title=U.S. Senate: Thomas R. Marshall, 28th Vice President (1913-1921)|website=www.senate.gov|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref>, Vice President and Governor of Indiana | * [[Thomas R. Marshall]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/vice-president/VP_Thomas_Marshall.htm|title=U.S. Senate: Thomas R. Marshall, 28th Vice President (1913-1921)|website=www.senate.gov|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref>, Vice President and Governor of Indiana | ||
* Thomas Clarke Rye, Governor of Tennessee | * [[Thomas Clarke Rye]], Governor of Tennessee | ||
====Non-Governmental==== | ====Non-Governmental==== | ||
* Francis Scott Key | * [[Francis Scott Key]] | ||
* Charles D. Drake<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/drake-charles-daniel|title=Drake, Charles Daniel - Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>, One of [[Dred Scott v. Sandford|Dred Scott's]] attorneys | * [[Charles D. Drake]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/drake-charles-daniel|title=Drake, Charles Daniel - Federal Judicial Center|last=|first=|date=|website=www.fjc.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>, One of [[Dred Scott v. Sandford|Dred Scott's]] attorneys | ||
* Clarence Darrow<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biography.yourdictionary.com/clarence-seward-darrow|title=Clarence Seward Darrow Facts|website=biography.yourdictionary.com|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clarence-Darrow|title=Clarence Darrow {{!}} American lawyer|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref> | * [[Clarence Darrow]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biography.yourdictionary.com/clarence-seward-darrow|title=Clarence Seward Darrow Facts|website=biography.yourdictionary.com|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clarence-Darrow|title=Clarence Darrow {{!}} American lawyer|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref> | ||
* Kim Kardashian<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wtop.com/news/2019/04/6-attorneys-who-read-the-law-like-kim-kardashian/|title=6 Attorneys Who Read the Law Like Kim Kardashian|date=2019-04-17|website=WTOP|language=en|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> | * [[Kim Kardashian]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wtop.com/news/2019/04/6-attorneys-who-read-the-law-like-kim-kardashian/|title=6 Attorneys Who Read the Law Like Kim Kardashian|date=2019-04-17|website=WTOP|language=en|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> | ||
===Canada=== | ===Canada=== | ||
Unlike their U.S. counterparts, early lawyers of Canada did get some legal training, but not within a higher institution like a school. Following English tradition, early Canadian lawyers trained by "learning law" through another lawyer. To practice fully, these legal students (articled clerk) are required to pass a bar exam and be admitted to the bar. | Unlike their U.S. counterparts, early lawyers of [[Canada]] did get some legal training, but not within a higher institution like a school. Following [[English language|English]] tradition, early Canadian lawyers trained by "learning law" through another lawyer. To practice fully, these legal students ([[articled clerk]]) are required to pass a bar exam and be admitted to the bar. | ||
Reading law was also used in Ontario to train lawyers until 1949. People training to become lawyers need not attend school, but they were asked to apprentice or article with a practicing lawyer. Changes in the late 1940s ended the practice.<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book |first = Philip James |last = Sworded |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=86Gb7BB20aUC&lpg=PA181 |title = An Introduction to Canadian Law |year = 2006 }}</ref> | Reading law was also used in [[Ontario]] to train lawyers until 1949. People training to become lawyers need not attend school, but they were asked to apprentice or article with a practicing lawyer. Changes in the late 1940s ended the practice.<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book |first = Philip James |last = Sworded |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=86Gb7BB20aUC&lpg=PA181 |title = An Introduction to Canadian Law |year = 2006 }}</ref> | ||
In Quebec, civil law required formal education; and in Nova Scotia, lawyers were trained by attending university.<ref name="books.google.com"/> | In [[Quebec]], civil law required formal education; and in [[Nova Scotia]], lawyers were trained by attending university.<ref name="books.google.com"/> | ||
==Modern practice== | ==Modern practice== | ||
A small number of jurisdictions still permit this. In the states of California,<ref name="Adwar"/> Vermont,<ref name="Adwar"/> Virginia,<ref name=va-reader>{{cite web |url = http://www.vbbe.state.va.us/reader/reader.html |title = Law Reader Program |year = 2010 |accessdate = January 6, 2010 |publisher = Virginia Board of Bar Examiners }}</ref> and Washington,<ref name=wa-rule6>{{cite web |url = http://www.wsba.org/~/media/Files/Licensing_Lawyer%20Conduct/Admissions/Special%20Admissions/APR%206%20Rules%20and%20Regulations.ashx=Rule%206%20Law%20Clerk%20Program |title = Rules and Regulations Governing the Washington Law Clerk Program |year = 2002 |accessdate = March 4, 2007 |publisher = Washington State Bar Association }}</ref> an applicant who has not attended law school may take the bar exam after reading law under a judge or practicing attorney for an extended period of time. The required time varies. Exact rules vary as well; for example, Virginia does not allow the reader to be gainfully employed by the tutoring lawyer, while Washington requires just that. The State of New York requires that applicants who are reading law must have at least one year of law school study<ref name=ny-bar-rule520>{{cite web |url = http://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.4 |title = New York Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys |year = 2000 |accessdate = January 20, 2011 |publisher = New York State Board of Bar Examiners }}</ref> and Maine requires applicants to have completed at least two-thirds of a law degree.<ref name=maine-bar>{{cite web |url = http://www.mainebarexaminers.org/PDF/MBAR0109.pdf |title = Maine Bar Admission Rules |year = 2009 |accessdate = January 20, 2011 |publisher = Maine Board of Bar Examiners |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110727055410/http://www.mainebarexaminers.org/PDF/MBAR0109.pdf |archivedate = July 27, 2011 }}</ref> Such persons are sometimes called country | A small number of jurisdictions still permit this. In the states of [[California]],<ref name="Adwar"/> [[Vermont]],<ref name="Adwar"/> [[Virginia]],<ref name=va-reader>{{cite web |url = http://www.vbbe.state.va.us/reader/reader.html |title = Law Reader Program |year = 2010 |accessdate = January 6, 2010 |publisher = Virginia Board of Bar Examiners }}</ref> and [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]],<ref name=wa-rule6>{{cite web |url = http://www.wsba.org/~/media/Files/Licensing_Lawyer%20Conduct/Admissions/Special%20Admissions/APR%206%20Rules%20and%20Regulations.ashx=Rule%206%20Law%20Clerk%20Program |title = Rules and Regulations Governing the Washington Law Clerk Program |year = 2002 |accessdate = March 4, 2007 |publisher = Washington State Bar Association }}</ref> an applicant who has not attended law school may take the bar exam after reading law under a judge or practicing attorney for an extended period of time. The required time varies. Exact rules vary as well; for example, Virginia does not allow the reader to be gainfully employed by the tutoring lawyer, while Washington requires just that. The State of [[New York (state)|New York]] requires that applicants who are reading law must have at least one year of law school study<ref name=ny-bar-rule520>{{cite web |url = http://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.4 |title = New York Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys |year = 2000 |accessdate = January 20, 2011 |publisher = New York State Board of Bar Examiners }}</ref> and [[Maine]] requires applicants to have completed at least two-thirds of a law degree.<ref name=maine-bar>{{cite web |url = http://www.mainebarexaminers.org/PDF/MBAR0109.pdf |title = Maine Bar Admission Rules |year = 2009 |accessdate = January 20, 2011 |publisher = Maine Board of Bar Examiners |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110727055410/http://www.mainebarexaminers.org/PDF/MBAR0109.pdf |archivedate = July 27, 2011 }}</ref> Such persons are sometimes called [[country lawyer]]s or county-seat lawyers. In 2013, 60 people became lawyers this way as opposed to 84,000 via law schools.<REF name="Adwar"/> In 2019, reality television personality [[Kim Kardashian]] announced that she was reading law to become an attorney in California.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/28/entertainment/kim-kardashian-reading-the-law/index.html|title=Kim Kardashian West, Esq. in 2022? You better believe it|first=Chloe|last=Melas|website=CNN|date=June 28, 2019}}</ref> | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
[https://www.fjc.gov/search/site/%22read%20law%22 Search of Federal Judicial Center for 'Read Law'] | [https://www.fjc.gov/search/site/%22read%20law%22 Search of Federal Judicial Center for 'Read Law'] | ||
