ALAP Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Established by Administrative Order (AO) 2024-148, the Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program (ALAP) allows applicants who satisfy the requirements and qualifications for admission and score 260-269 on the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), to start practicing immediately under the supervision of a qualified Arizona attorney if they agree to practice for 2 years in rural Arizona or in a public law firm. An ALAP licensee who successfully completes the 2-year program and whose supervising attorney attests that they are capable of practicing law without supervision and who is recommended for admission by a judge or an outside attorney familiar with the licensee’s work will be eligible to have the ALAP license converted to a regular admission to the practice of law in Arizona.

Unassigned questions General Questions Licensee Questions Employer Questions

Do I need to apply/register to be an employer or supervisor in the program? What experiences must I give ALAP Licensees? Do I have to allow them to participate in a certain number of court appearances or depositions? Do I have the power to discipline and/or terminate an ALAP Licensee, like I would another employee? Can I supervise someone who is not an employee or works at another firm/agency? Am I committed to keeping the ALAP Licensee on for the full two years? What if layoffs occur? What is my supervisory responsibility; how is it different from my other employees? What if the ALAP Licensee is excelling and doesn’t need much oversight? How many ALAP Licensees can a supervisor be responsible for? Can two supervisors be assigned? What if the designated supervisor is unable to perform their responsibilities? Are government or non-profit public law firms required to hire ALAP licensees? Can I switch to another employer if my original employer is not a good fit? What if I change my mind about participating in the program? What about extraordinary circumstances like a health issue for me or a family member? Do I need to find my own job or will I be placed somewhere as part of the program? What if I don’t like my placement options? I already have employment in the private sector in a non-rural area and scored a 260-269 on the UBE. I am willing to do pro bono work. Will that qualify as public law practice? If so, how many hours? May an ALAP Licensee represent clients without a qualified supervising attorney? What activities are supervised? What is the level of oversight? Why does ALAP require two years of supervision? What if there is an issue with the employer? How will that impact my obligations? How long do I have to find a job and start the supervision process? Are ALAP Licensees less qualified than attorneys who are fully admitted with a score of 270? Is the ALAP Licensee a real attorney? If a bar complaint is filed against an ALAP Licensee, is it also filed against the supervising attorney? Can a bar complaint be filed against the ALAP Licensee? Is the ALAP Licensee required to carry malpractice insurance? Will the ALAP Licensee receive a bar membership number? Is the ALAP Licensee paid? How does termination impact the ALAP Licensee? Are they allowed to move forward in ALAP? If the office or firm employing the ALAP Licensee determines that the ALAP Licensee is not capable of providing competent legal representation, may they terminate the employment? Can the ALAP Licensee take the bar exam again to seek regular admission to the State Bar of Arizona? Following completion of the 2-year supervisory period, what does an ALAP Licensee need to do to convert the license to a regular bar admission? What does “supervision” mean in this context? Can a relative serve as a supervisor? Does the ALAP Licensee have to practice under the supervision of an Arizona licensed attorney? Does work as a Certified Limited Practice Graduate count as part of the 2-year supervisory period? Where are ALAP Licensees authorized to practice? When does the 2-year supervisory period begin? Who qualifies? Can our office use our existing training program for ALAP Licensees? Is there a way to get an exception to the requirements? Do other clerkships or internships in rural Arizona or in a public law practice satisfy the 2-year requirement? Do judicial clerkships count as public law practice? What is a rural area? Does the ALAP Licensee have to be approved by the Committee on Character and Fitness?