Washington, Colorado and Minnesota are the latest to transition to the Next Gen bar exam.
Washington will begin using the overhauled bar exam when it first becomes available in July 2026. Minnesota will move to the test in July 2027, while Colorado will start giving the new bar in July 2028.
Washington’s high court also approved “in concept” two new licensing pathways for law students bypassing the bar exam, including an apprenticeship program for six months. Oregon in November also adopted an apprenticeship pathway for law school graduates, joining Wisconsin and New Hampshire.
More from the legal industry …
Bankruptcy partner Jamie Sprayregen left Kirkland & Ellis for Hilco Global … Baker McKenzie sued the IRS for details on partnership tax crackdown … Under new regulations, SCOTUS justices and federal judges can no longer avoid disclosing the value of travel-related gifts they receive by classifying such free trips as “reimbursements” … U.S. News & World Report will release its closely watched law school rankings on April 9, amid predictions about possible methodology changes … The Senate confirmed LGBTQ labor lawyer Nicole Berner to a seat on the 4th Circuit … Kirkland & Ellis asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit over a bankruptcy judge’s secret relationship … Squire Patton Boggs has been sued in New York for allegedly refusing to pay rent for its former office in Moscow.
MOVES
In New York …
Paul Hastings hired partner Joshua Ratner as global vice chair of its private equity practice … Baker Botts added project finance partner Veronica Relea from Pillsbury … King & Spalding added Craig Phillips as a tax partner to its corporate practice from PwC … Ronald Hewitt joined Seward & Kissel as a partner in its global banking and corporate trust group from Covington … Katten Muchin Rosenman hired partner Kevin Broughel, who was previously co-chair of Paul Hastings’ securities litigation practice … DLA Piper added capital markets partner Stephen Wortley in Vancouver and New York from McMillan.
In Washington, D.C. …
McDermott hired a seven-member team from Orrick for its Washington, D.C., and New York offices. It will focus on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and False Claims Act matters and cybercrime … Ropes & Gray hired antitrust partner Jacqueline Grise from Cooley … Kate Jensen rejoined Steptoe as a partner in its government affairs and public policy practice … Kirkland added investment funds partner Martín Strauch from Fried Frank.
In Los Angeles …
Cozen O’Connor added construction attorneys Marion Hack, Luke Nicholas Eaton, Michelle Rosenberg, John Conrad, Cindy Lee and Venessa Drake from Troutman Pepper.
In Atlanta …
Bradley Arant picked up commercial real estate partners Stephanie Friese and Christine Norstadt from Chamberlain Hrdlicka … Barnes & Thornburg brought on a team of bankruptcy lawyers including partners Frank DeBorde and Lisa Wolgast from Morris, Manning & Martin.
In Dallas …
Vedder Price hired finance and transactions partner Jason DuVall from Dorsey & Whitney.
In Charlotte, North Carolina …
Bradley Arant brought on IP partners Henry Ward and Samantha Skains-Menchaca. They arrive from Moore & Van Allen.
