Study in a Law Office or Judge’s Chamber
In California, you may complete your legal education by attending law school or participating in a program of legal studies within a law office or a judge’s chamber, also known as the Law Office Study (LOS) Program.
The requirements for students in the LOS Program are stated in Business and Professions Code section 6060 and rule 4.29 of the Rules of the State Bar.
A student in the LOS Program must complete four years of study:
- In a law office under the supervision of an active, licensed California attorney in good standing who has continuously practiced law for at least five years in any United States jurisdiction and actively practiced law in California or taught in a California law school for at least two years immediately preceding the time of supervision; or
- In a judge’s chambers under the supervision of a judge of a court of record in California.
The LOS Program is not a work program, and simply working in a law office or judge’s chambers is not sufficient to receive credit for study. However, students in the LOS Program may now apply to participate in the Certified Law Student (CLS) Program. Any activity performed in the CLS Program will not count toward law study credit in the LOS Program.
Study requirements
Each six-month period, or one-half year, of study in the program must consist of at least 72 hours per month, for six consecutive months, lasting at least 24 weeks and no longer than 26 weeks. A six-month study period that consists of fewer than 24 weeks or more than 26 weeks will not receive credit. The supervising attorney or judge must directly supervise the applicant for at least 20 hours per month, either in person or via remote video technology. At least 10 of those hours for each six-month period must be in person.
Progress exams and reporting
A student in the LOS Program must receive a written examination from their supervising attorney or judge at least once a month. At the end of each six-month study period, the applicant must submit the required fee, a semi-annual report in the Applicant Portal on the studies they completed during those six months, and copies of the graded examinations and study materials.
Semi-annual reports are due within 30 days after the end of each six-month study period. Reports submitted 31–60 days late are subject to a late fee. Reports submitted more than 60 days late will not be accepted, and the student will not receive credit for that six-month study period. If a semi-annual report is not submitted within one year of the prior report, the student’s participation in the LOS Program will be terminated.
The supervising attorney or judge must confirm, after each six-month study period, whether the student has demonstrated sufficient academic progress to advance to the next period. If a supervisor reports that the student has not made sufficient academic progress, or does not submit the required attestation, the student will be removed from the LOS Program unless the student repeats that study period and submits a new semi-annual report, and the supervisor attests that the student has now made sufficient academic progress to continue.
Additional requirements for the LOS Program
First-Year Law Students’ Examination
After completing one year of study, students in the LOS Program will be required to take and pass the First-Year Law Students’ Examination to continue their legal education. If you pass the exam within the first three consecutive administrations of becoming eligible to take it, you will receive credit for all law study completed up to the time the exam is passed. Applicants who pass the exam thereafter will only receive credit for one year of law study.
Requirements for admission after completing the LOS Program
Completing four years of study in the LOS Program does not guarantee that you will become licensed to practice law. Students who successfully complete the LOS Program and meet all program requirements become eligible to take the California Bar Examination. Please note that bar exam passage rates are generally lower for students of the LOS Program than for students at traditional law schools. Exam statistics on passage rates are available on the State Bar’s website for review.
Like other applicants, students of the LOS Program must pass the bar exam, receive a positive moral character determination, and meet all other requirements for admission.
Questions?
For questions related to the LOS Program, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@calbar.ca.gov or 800-843-9053.