Board of Governors approves recommendations on education, licensure of Iowa attorneys

The Iowa State Bar Association’s Board of Governors has approved the recommendations put forth by the Blue Ribbon Committee on Legal Education and Licensure in December 2013. 

The recommendation moves away from the multi-state bar exam in use for the past five years and adopts the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) that is portable in 14 states. The recommendation also allows students who successfully complete three years of specified law school course work at Drake University Law School or the University of Iowa College of Law to be admitted to the Iowa Bar without being required to take a bar exam. 

Below are several resources to help better understand the proposal:

View Report

Do We Need the Bar Examination? A Critical Evaluation of the Justifications for the Bar Examination and Proposed Alternatives.

Diploma Privilege: Why Some Believe Bar Exams Should be Eliminated - Guy Cook speaks with Lawyer2Lawyer hosts Bob Ambrogri and J. Craig Williams

President Guy Cook on WHO radio on Simon Conway Show discussing proposal

Law review article: The Wisconsin Diploma Privilege: Try It, You'll Like It

Tulsa Law Review: Use of the Diploma Privilege in the United States

(Concurring Opinions Blog) by George Washington University Law Professor, Daniel J. Solove, Should the Bar Exam be Abolished?

Bar exam falling out of favor - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Iowa Law Students May Get to Pass on the Bar Exam - Fox Business
President Cook and Drake Law School Dean discuss proposal 1-21-14

Skip the bar exam? Maybe - Cedar Rapids Gazette Editorial

Des Moines Register video of Drake Law School Dean Vestal and President Cook discussing proposal

The Proposal for a New Option for Bar Admissions

Blue Ribbon Committee Response to Staff Report

View Letters Sent to the Iowa Supreme Court