wyoming

bar admission administrative agency:
 
executive secretary
state board of law examiners of wyoming
p.o. box 109
cheyenne, wy 82003-0109
tel: 307/632-9061
fax: 307/632-3737
website: http://www.courts.state.wy.us/
website: http://www.wyomingbar.org/
 
 
bar admission options:
 
without bar examination
an applicant may be admitted without examination if he or she:

• has obtained a law degree from an aba-accredited law school;
• has, at some point, taken and passed a bar examination;
• is admitted and actively practicing for five out of the last seven years in a state which does not require any examination of a wyoming attorney based on wyoming practice:
• has not taken and failed the wyoming bar examination;
• if previously admitted to the wyoming state bar, membership was withdrawn or terminated in good standing;
• verification of 45 hours of approved or approvable coursework in continuing legal education during the three years immediately preceding the application for admission to the wyoming bar;
• has not been denied on motion to practice law in wyoming or been allowed to withdraw an application due to questions raised by the board on character and fitness within the last two years;
• has not previously engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in wyoming; and
• has good character and fitness to practice law.

application deadline:
the board of law examiners shall meet to recommend applicants for admission on motion twice yearly in conjunction with the wyoming state bar examination. all supporting data, necessary fees, and the ncbe character report must be submitted by november 15 of the preceding year for february admission and by april 15 for july admission.

application/admission fees:
$450.00 application fee (effective september 1, 2003); ncbe character and fitness report fees ($250.00).

with bar examination
examination required for all other applicants.

examination components:
1. academic: mbe (scaled score of 133 required) and 10 out of 11 state essays. mbe score of 133 is transferable from any jurisdiction within three years.
2. ethics: mpre scaled score of 75 is transferable from any jurisdiction within three years.

examination dates:
february (deadline: november 15 of the preceding year)
july (deadline: april 15)

application/admission fees:
$450.00 application fee (effective september 1, 2003); ncbe character and fitness report fees ($250.00).

other state bar requirements:

1. character check by the wyoming state board of law examiners.

2. submission of evidence that the applicant has met the educational requirements set forth by the wyoming board of law examiners through the study of law at an aba-accredited law school and in the office of a member of the wyoming state bar or a judge of this state.

3. required annual fees: $5.00 cle processing fee; $142.50 (0-5 years after admission); $250.00 (more than 5 years after admission); $125.00 (inactive members).


regulation of in-house counsel:

wyoming bar admission rules do not expressly address in-house counsel. rule 5.5. unauthorized practice of law. the official comment to wyoming rules of professional conduct, rule 5.5., “unauthorized practice of law,” states in pertinent part, that rule 5.5….

“does not prohibit lawyers from providing professional advice and instruction to nonlawyers whose employment requires knowledge of law; for example, claims adjusters, employees of financial or commercial institutions, social workers, accountants and persons employed in government agencies.”


bar association status:

[x] mandatory (see required annual fees above).

[ ] voluntary


specialty certification:

wyoming does not have a specialty certification plan, does not recognize aba-approved programs or any other certifying organizations, and does not otherwise regulate specialty advertising except to imply that any specialty advertising must contain a disclaimer.