New Mexico Lets New Lawyers Skip the Bar | Albuquerque News

New Mexico’s Supreme Court just approved a game-changing path for new lawyers: skip the brutal bar exam and prove your skills by working under a seasoned attorney. This move aims to boost legal access—especially in rural “legal deserts” where one lawyer per thousand residents is a luxury. Chief Justice Julie Vargas says it could attract more attorneys to underserved areas and fix flaws in the current exam, which doesn’t always measure real-world lawyering ability or creates barriers for those who struggle with test prep or costs. Applications for this new route are expected to open by 2027—a bold shift that could reshape New Mexico’s legal future. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/9a0dbde9e10e84af