Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 34

GLOBAL & DOMESTIC OUTLOOK

DIVERSE PATHS TO

BECOMING A LAWYER
By John Murph

COSTA RICA

B

ecoming a licensed attorney in the United
States is a laborious yet rewarding journey that
typically begins after completing one's undergraduate studies and ends with passing the
bar exam. But what - and how long - does
it take to become an attorney in other countries?
Here's a look at eight places offering diverse paths
for their citizens to pursue a career in the law.

Students can go straight into law school after graduating from
high school. After earning their LLB degree from an approved
university, candidates can then apply for admission to the
Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Costa Rica (Costa Rican Bar
Association). In 2015 the body implemented an admissions test.

SOUTH AFRICA
In South Africa, lawyers are classified as either attorneys or
advocates. The latter requires an additional year of training.
To obtain either designation, individuals must first earn a
bachelor of laws (LLB) degree (four- or five-year program) at
an institution in South Africa or another approved country.
Candidates must then complete a two-year clerkship at
a South African law firm; the clerkship can be shortened
to one year for those who complete a full-time course at
the School for Legal Practice. Afterward, candidates must
complete the moral integrity and honesty application
administered by the Law Society of South Africa and pass
the Attorney's Admission Examination. They must also
earn a Fidelity Fund Certificate after taking a short practice
management course. Advocate candidates then apply to
South Africa's High Court after apprenticing for one year
under another advocate, which eventually leads to required
membership in the General Council of the Bar of South Africa.

DENMARK
In this Scandinavian country, all lawyers are called advocates. Before admission to
the Danish Bar and Law Society, one must earn a law degree by completing an
undergraduate program, which usually takes three years, followed by two years
of postgraduate study. Afterward, candidates must perform a minimum of three
years of practical legal work either under supervision of a practicing lawyer or in
the courts. There's an additional postgraduate course requirement, administered
by the Danish Bar and Law Society, as well as a mandatory oral exam. Candidates
can then apply for a license to practice with Denmark's Ministry of Justice. If no
objections are made by the Danish Bar and Law Society or by the board of the
society's local district, the candidate is granted the title of advocate.
34 WASHINGTON LAWYER

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SEPTEMBER 2019

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Washington Lawyer - September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Lawyer - September 2019

Digital Extras
Your Voice
From Our President
Practice Management
Calendar of Events
Tomorrow’s Lawyers: Jd + Practice Ready
The Justice Gap & The Rise Of Nonlawyer Legal Providers
D.C. Bar Cle: Keeping Up With The Law
Aba Delegate’s Corner
Member Spotlight
Global & Domestic Outlook
Worth Reading
Media Bytes
Attorney Briefs
Ask The Ethics Experts
Disciplinary Summaries
2019 Celebration Of Leadership & Presidents Reception
Community & Connections
Last Word
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Cover1
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Cover2
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 1
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 2
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 3
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Digital Extras
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Your Voice
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - From Our President
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 7
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Practice Management
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 9
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Calendar of Events
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 11
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Tomorrow’s Lawyers: Jd + Practice Ready
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 13
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Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 17
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - The Justice Gap & The Rise Of Nonlawyer Legal Providers
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Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - D.C. Bar Cle: Keeping Up With The Law
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 26
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Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Aba Delegate’s Corner
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 29
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Member Spotlight
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 31
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Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 33
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Global & Domestic Outlook
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 35
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Worth Reading
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 37
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Media Bytes
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 39
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Attorney Briefs
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Ask The Ethics Experts
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Disciplinary Summaries
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 43
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 2019 Celebration Of Leadership & Presidents Reception
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 45
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Community & Connections
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - 47
Washington Lawyer - September 2019 - Last Word
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