Qualifications

ADMISSION BY MOTION PURSUANT TO MAINE BAR ADMISSION RULE 11A

In order to be qualified for admission by motion pursuant to Maine Bar Admission Rule 11A, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Is admitted to practice law in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia and is an active member of the bar in good standing [see M.B.A.R. 11A(a)(1)].
  • Has been primarily engaged in the active practice of law in one or more United States jurisdictions (which may include the active practice of law in the State of Maine to the extent permitted by Rule 5.5(d) of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct) for at least three (3) of the five (5) years immediately preceding the date upon which the motion is filed. [see M.B.A.R. 11A(a)(2)].
  • Has graduated with a juris doctor or bachelor of laws degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association meeting the criteria listed in M.B.A.R. 11A(a)(3).
  • Has satisfactorily completed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination in accordance with Rule 11, prior to the date on which the application is filed; [see M.B.A.R. 11A(a)(4)].
  • Is not currently subject to lawyer discipline or the subject of a pending disciplinary matter in any jurisdiction; [see M.B.A.R. 11A(a)(6)].
  • Has not failed the Maine Bar Examination within five (5) years of the date of application; [see M.B.A.R. 11A(b)].
  • Has not been disbarred or is currently under suspension from the practice of law in any jurisdiction, provided that an administrative suspension in a jurisdiction other than Maine for failure to comply with registration, dues, or CLE requirements, shall not preclude the issuance of a certificate of qualification if applicant has demonstrated that requiring applicant to return to good standing in, or resign from, that jurisdiction would impose an undue hardship and applicant is in good standing in at least one other state. [see M.B.A.R. 8(b)].

In addition to the above criteria, before applicants can be certified for admission by motion pursuant to M.B.A.R. 11A, they must:

  • Produce satisfactory evidence of good character and fitness to practice law in the State of Maine pursuant to M.B.A.R. 9 [see M.B.A.R. 11A(a)(7)].
  • Produce evidence that they have completed at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing legal education in Maine practice and procedure in courses approved by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar. Please note that this requirement must be completed within one year from the date of application. [See M.B.A.R. 11A(a)(8)]. Please go to http://www.mebaroverseers.org/attorney_services/continuing_education/continuing_education.html for more information about required CLEs.

For application forms and instructions, click here.