Английский язык Unit 2 TEXT.THE US ATTORNEY.

Unit 2

TEXT.THE US ATTORNEY.

In order to practice law in the USA, one must first be «admitted to the bar»

in an individual state. This entails passing the state bar exam. The bar exam covers

the law particular to that state and is approximately 6 hours in length. Thus

attorneys in America are licensed to practice only in their home states. If they wish

to practice in another state, they must fulfill that state's requirements - such as

taking test on the specific features of that state's law (a part of the bar examination)

before they can practice. Fortunately, there are some states that have reciprocity

agreements when two or more states honor each other's rights or privileges, such

Generally, state bar examiners require evidence of three qualities in exam

candidates: sufficient general education at the undergraduate level; sufficient US

legal education; and sufficient knowledge of local bar requirements. Each state bar

administration sets its own criteria for permission to sit the state bar exam.

In addition to the state bar exam, almost all states also require the Multistate

Bar Exam (MBE). The MBE covers general legal knowledge in areas such as

contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law, evidence and real property. It is a

6-hour, multiple choice exam made up of 200 questions.

A typical second day of testing includes series of timed essay exams on a

variety of subjects. This portion may be comprised of two other multistate exams:

the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).

Part of the licensing process involves the assessment by bar examiners of an

applicant’s character and fitness to engage in the practice of law. Currently, most

states also require law students to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility

Examination (MPRE). The MPRE tests knowledge of the American Bar

Association codes on professional responsibility and judicial conduct. The MPRE

Upon admission to practice, an attorney is licensed to serve as both advocate

and legal counselor. There is no division of the profession between barristers and

At the same time on the federal level there exists the American Bar

Association (ABA), which was founded in August 21, 1878 as a voluntary national

organization of the legal profession. The activities of the association include

maintenance of high ethical standards for the profession. The most current version

of these standards, the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, was adopted in 2000

The American Bar Association also accredits law schools under the

authority of state high courts and the United States Department of Education, and

according to standards developed by the association. Policies of the association are