Better Access for Australian Lawyers in the US

March 2007

A resolution by the United States Conference of Chief Justices urging improved access for Australian lawyers in the US has been welcomed by the Australian Government.

The resolution by this prestigious and influential body was adopted at its February meeting in New Orleans and is believed to be the first time that practitioners of a specific country have been given such support.

The resolution urges the Supreme Court of every US state and territory to consider permitting Australian university law graduates who have been admitted to practice here to sit US bar exams for admission to practise there without having to undertake further study.

The development follows lobbying by the Government and the Law Council of Australia, as part of an initiative under the Australian-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

Only five US states automatically recognise Australian law degrees as providing eligibility to sit that state’s bar exam. All other US states and territories require applicants to have graduated from an American Bar Association accredited law school before they can sit a bar exam.