Supreme Court Rules - Rule 8 - Rules Governing the Missouri Bar and the Judiciary - Admission to the Bar: Admission Without Examination

Clerk Handbooks

Supreme Court Rules

		Section/Rule:	8.10
Subject:	Rule 8 - Rules Governing the Missouri Bar and the Judiciary - Admission to the Bar	Publication / Adopted Date:	November 13, 1989
Topic:	Admission Without Examination	Revised / Effective Date:	September 1, 2023

8.10. Admission Without Examination

(a) A person proving each of the following may be admitted to the practice of law in this state, without examination:

(1)

A first professional degree in law (J.D. or LL.B) was received from a law school that was approved by the American Bar Association at the time the person graduated;

(2)

Admission to practice of law in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia and an active license to practice law in at least one jurisdiction that permits mutuality of admission without examination to Missouri lawyers;

(3)

The application and related forms required by the board have been filed and the prescribed, non-refundable fee has been paid;

(4)

For five of the 10 years immediately preceding the date upon which the application under Rule 8.10 is filed, the person has:

(A)

While holding an active license to practice law in a state, other than Missouri, a United States territory, or the District of Columbia, been engaged in the full-time practice of law in such state, territory, or the District of Columbia; or

(B)

Served full-time as a lawyer with the United States government or its armed forces; or

(C)

Taught full-time in a law school approved by the American Bar Association; or

(D)

Been engaged in the full-time practice of law as in-house counsel primarily at or from an office physically located in a state, other than Missouri, or in a territory of the United States or the District of Columbia; or

(E)

Been engaged in the full-time practice of law in Missouri pursuant to

Rule 8.106

; or

(F)

Any combination of the foregoing;

(5) The approval of the board required by Rule 8.11 and the other applicable requirements of Rule 8;

(6) Compliance with Rule 15.05(d) within 90 days after the date of written notification that the person’s character and fitness has been approved.

(b) A person admitted pursuant to this Rule 8.10 is required to meet the continuing legal education requirements specified in Rule 15.

(Former Rule8.10 repealed Sept. 13, 1988. New Rule8.10 Adopted November 13, 1989. Amended January 8, 1993; February 3, 1993; Amended October 16, 1995, effective Mar. 1, 1996; Amended effective Feb. 1, 2000; Amended September 3, 2003, effective October 1, 2003; Amended March 7, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; Amended January 31, 2006, effective July 1, 2006; Amended May 20, 2008, effective July 1, 2008; Amended August 16, 2011, effective September 1, 2011; Amended September 5, 2018, effective January 1, 2019; Amended January 31, 2023, effective September 1, 2023. )

Regulations of Board of Law Examiners

1. The “practice of law” is a term of art. Though no broad rule can be drawn to define the “practice of law”, it connotes more than merely working with legally-related matters. The applicant bears the burden to prove he or she has been engaged in the full-time practice of law such that the applicant’s professional experience and responsibilities are sufficient to satisfy the board that the applicant should be admitted under this Rule 8.10.

2. An applicant’s practice of law, including, but not limited to, practice under Rule 8.105 or Rule 8.06, within, or from an office located within, the State of Missouri will not, under any circumstances, be considered by the board in determining compliance with Rule 8.10(a)(4)(A), unless the applicant was lawfully engaged in full-time practice pursuant to a temporary license under Rule 8.106.

3. An applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she satisfies the requirements of this Rule 8.10 as of the date the application is submitted; practice after the date of application will not be considered.

4. An applicant’s candor in representing his or her eligibility under this Rule 8.10 will be considered by the board as a part of its evaluation of the applicant’s character and fitness.

5. The term “in-house counsel” in Rule 8.10(a)(4)(D) means a person who is employed as a lawyer exclusively by a corporation or its subsidiaries or affiliates, an association, a business, or a governmental entity and the employer’s business consists of activities other than the practice of law or the provision of legal services.

(Amended April 5, 1988, effective May 1, 1988; Amended January 15, 1991, effective August 1, 1991; Amended October 16, 1995, effective March 1, 1996; Amended September 3, 2003, effective October 1, 2003; Amended March 7, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; Amended January 31, 2006, effective July 1, 2006; Amended May 20, 2008, effective July 1, 2008; Amended September 5, 2018, effective Jan. 1, 2019.)