Maggie Schmidt, Esq. (University of Arizona Law Graduate 2010)
Schmidt & Green Law Offices, P.L.L.C.
325 W. Franklin, Suite 117
Tucson, Arizona 85701
(520)622-0003
(520)622-0005 (fax)
[email protected] Arizona Bar #028002
Comment:
Pursuant to Rule 28(D), Rules of the Supreme Court, Maggie H. Schmidt, respectfully submits the following Comment for the Court's consideration of Rule 34, proposed change allowing third year law students to sit for the February bar exam prior to official law school graduation.
I. Reason the Proposed Rule Change Should Be Adopted
This proposal is long overdue. Presently, the lag time between graduating with a Juris Doctor degree, studying for the bar exam, and awaiting results of that bar exam, significantly impacts all law school graduates. In my case, that lag time cost me two opportunities to be hired at the Pima County Public Defender's Office where I had worked for over 2 years as a law clerk and 38(d) student attorney. I was studying for the bar the first hiring rotation (after a significant hiring freeze) and, therefore, was not eligible to apply. Then, I was awaiting bar exam results during the second hiring rotation. Ultimately, I decided to start my own law firm in Tucson with another new attorney who also had missed the hiring rotations at the Public Defender's Office (although for different, personal reasons).
While I am very satisfied with my decision to open my own practice, the new rule change would greatly impact all future law school graduates and may have changed my decision to open my own firm had I had the option to accept a job as a Public Defender.
The proposed change to Rule 34 would allow students to avoid the awkward and financially-draining time between taking the bar and awaiting results. Most of my fellow colleagues could only volunteer at firms or government agencies during this time and, if they were lucky, work at low hourly clerking rates. Those with families were at a significant disadvantage. All of us had to defer our students loan repayments during this time.
The option to work immediately post-graduation would benefit the new graduates as much as the legal community in Arizona. I spoke to several students who had to pass up job offers because they were not licensed attorneys at graduation, or were not even eligible to apply for attorney positions. Employers were either forced to hire other people or wait several months until those candidates were licensed.
The significance and greatness of this proposal cannot be overstated. It truly would change the legal playing field for new graduates and make certain, eligible graduates more employable right out the "graduation gate."
Please feel free to contact me further regarding my comment.