Those Who Teach

A 2001 Stanford Law graduate admitted to practice in Washington State has been teaching pre-law courses at the high school level in Kentucky. He applied for admission to the Kentucky Bar on the strength of his teaching credentials.

The Office of Bar Admission Character and Fitness denied the application for admission without examination, concluding that the provisions that permit admission based on law teaching credentials only applies to law school teachers.

 The Kentucky Supreme Court denied admission.

While the court found the petitioner’s credentials “impressive” and his teaching efforts “laudable,” he does not qualify for admission without examination based on reciprocity with Washington State.

He had not practiced in Washington State for the requisite number of years to be admitted without examination.

The court cited the “unique circumstances” in ordering the return of his application fee.

The Court overruled a 1978 decision that had admitted a Salmon P. Chase law professor on the strength of law teaching credentials. (Mike Frisch)