Practicing law in the Virgin Islands

That's right - no reciprocity. If you've been practicing less than 5 years, the VI will accept your multi-state score, but you still have to take the essay portion of the bar exam. If you work for the government (either local or federal), you don't have to take the exam at all.

I'm not there yet so no advice on setting up a practice. I plan to be there in a couple of years, but all of the local attorneys I have talked to have been very helpful. You should shoot them an e-mail and see what they have to say.

Thanks Texas! Why the 5-year mark on the multistate? Does that mean you have to take it again if you've been practicing more than 5 years?

Yes, you have to take the MBE again if it has been more than 5 years since your last sitting. You may also have to take the MPRE again. Not sure the time frame for transfer for that one.

The islands operate on a "who-you-know" basis. Given that, at this time, you don't know anybody (?), it may prove difficult to open a private practice. That said, come down, get a job with an established firm and see where you go from there. Securing employment is fairly easy if you are coming from a NY firm.

Oh, and if you plan on selling any property in NY, please let me know...I am desperately trying to get my toe in the door of RE for an eventual return.

Onika, just being curious again - after an atty. has practiced for 5 years on the mainland he can reciprocate anywhere....correct? I'm just wondering if change is a-comin' for the legal field - you all know my poor 55-year-old husband had to sit for NAPLEX as a pharmacist after practicing and being out of school for 32 years and flunked by .04% - and then all of a sudden the Board of Pharmacy dumped NAPLEX and decided to reciprocate....I don't know if there was a time limit on that though. Strange, because some mainland states will not reciprocate on a Rx license regardless - but I'm off topic -

Wondering if you foresee the hoop jumping in the legal field changing at any time in the near future.

Drew - what is your legal specialty?

Thanks Onika - I own property in upstate New York (Little Falls), and my horizon is probably about six months.

Hi Becky - My specialty is state residency tax law. Mainly I do residency tax planning and audit defense for people who either (a) live in one state and work in another, or (b) leave one state to "retire" to another low-tax or no-tax state but who keep strong contacts to their state of origin. New York and California often aggressively audit these individuals, and the audits can be very tough and time-consuming.

Thanks!
Drew

Becky, the reciprocity question is a little complicated. in my case, I am currently a member of CA and VI and intend to admit to the DC bar for purposes of waiving into NY.

CA does not have reciprocity with any other state/territory, regardless of years of practice. i doubt that practice will ever change.

VI does not have reciprocity with other states. There are however, as previously discussed, circumstances under which scores may be transferred. I have no opinion as to whether or not this practice will change in the near future.

If you are a member of the DC bar (which is available to any admitted attorney with a fee and satisfied MCLE obligations), you have the luxury of reciprocity with NY after 5 years of practice in any jurisdiction (not just the reciprocal jurisdiction). I am hoping this practice does not change. Or, at least until I get in. 😉

Drew--email me as I think I know someone you should speak with.

the VI Job Services has a listing for an attorney with tax and EDC background. Listed wage $50 hr.

Jim

Thanks Jim, I saw that posting and have sent my resume!

Hi Onika,

I tried to reply via PM, but it didn't work. My email address is drew.sabol@verizon.net

Thanks!
Drew

"CA does not have reciprocity with any other state/territory, regardless of years of practice. i doubt that practice will ever change. "

Probably a good thing since I would think we have enough here......

Becky, reciprocity is a tricky beast. It varies from state to state. Kentucky, for example, has reciprocity with several states, but not all. Some states have no reciprocity at all. Florida is an example of no reciprocity that I am aware of. I would not count on reciprocity getting oneself admitted to practice in any particular state. Plan on taking the bar examination (something I would never do again :-)!).

Ummm......I would NEVER do it - I have the law kid that just graduated and passed the Arkansas bar, and who will be taking the Texas bar in July. I believe Texas has some reciprocity too....really doesn't matter, that's a home grown boy and one who says two bar exams are quite enough for him, thank you very much!

He has talked vaguely with an attorney in PR about practicing Social Security law in PR and the VI - but I think the Hawgs keep him from ever straying far from home turf.....basically, I was being nosey for him!

If anyone (other than lawyers) is curious, I found this link on reciprocity. http://juristech.com/chart.html As you can see, not a lot of states have reciprocity, and some will only do it for those states that will return the favor. After 8 years of practice, I can safely say that I am not looking forward to taking another bar exam!

Becky, good luck to your son. The Texas bar can be a bear!