Become a Lawyer/Get Involved
Become a Lawyer/Get Involved
Becoming a Lawyer in Alaska
Want to know how to apply to become a lawyer in Alaska? Application information can be found on our admissions page here. For quick links, see below:
Alaska Bar Exam
UBE Score Transfer
Admission on Motion
Additional Admissions Requirements
Going to Law School
Some Alaska universities have partnerships with law schools. This can include direct admission, reduced time to complete degrees, scholarships, dual degrees, or other partnerships. For information on these partnerships see the schools webpages below:
Some law schools even offer in-state tuition to Alaska residents.
In most instances, you must graduate with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from a law school which was accredited or approved by the Council of Legal Education of the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools in order to practice law in Alaska. Below are some resources you may find helpful:
List of ABA-Approved Law Schools
List of ABA-Approved Law Schools that you can take remotely from Alaska
ABA Bar Admissions Information
Founded in 1900, there are 175 law schools from across the country that are members of the Association of American Law Schools. Additionally, there are 19 fee-paid law schools. Click here for The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) website.
Graduates of foreign law school can be eligible for admission by examination. For information on Foreign Legal Education, click here.
For Current Law School Students
The Alaska Bar Association offers law school scholarships to current 1st or 2nd year law students who demonstrate ties to Alaska, and an intent to return to Alaska within two years of graduation.
Applications for a scholarship must be sent to the Alaska Bar Association by March 1.
View our Scholarships page for information and application.
In certain instances the Alaska Bar Association allows for non-attorneys in law school to practice temporarily under a practice waiver. For information on temporary practice waivers, click here.
Looking for Employment opportunities? Our Employment & Bulletin Board page provide listings for:
Attorney Employment Opportunities
Non-Attorney Employment Opportunities
Clerkship and Internship Opportunities
Pro Bono Opportunities
Lawyers’ Bulletin Board
Non-profit Board Opportunities
For a list of adjunct organizations and local bar associations in Alaska, click here.
For information on taking the Alaska Bar Exam, click here.
Graduates of foreign law school can be eligible for admission by examination. For information on Foreign Legal Education, click here.
For Lawyers Licensed In Other Jurisdictions
The Alaska Bar Association will accept UBE score transfers. An applicant for admission may transfer a UBE score if the applicant has:
Achieved a scaled score of 270 or above; and
Taken the UBE exam in another jurisdiction within five years prior to the date of application to the Alaska Bar Association;
Met the requirements of Alaska Bar Rule 2, Section 1.
For more information on Admission by UBE Score Transfer, click here.
To be eligible for admission without examination in Alaska, the applicant must have engaged in the active practice of law in one or more states, territories, or D.C. for three of the five years immediately preceding the date of application. The applicant must also have passed the MPRE and meet other admission requirements. For more information on Admission on Motion, click here.
In certain instances the Alaska Bar Association allows for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions to practice temporarily under a practice waiver. For information on temporary practice waivers, click here.
Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct outlines that lawyers admitted in other jurisdictions may provide legal services in Alaska provided that they are providing legal services to the “lawyer’s employer or its organizational affiliates” and they meet the rest of the requirements of ARPC 5.5 (d)(1).
Looking for Employment opportunities? Our Employment & Bulletin Board page provide listings for:
Attorney Employment Opportunities
Non-Attorney Employment Opportunities
Clerkship and Internship Opportunities
Pro Bono Opportunities
Lawyers’ Bulletin Board
Non-Profit Board Opportunities
Becoming Involved in the Alaska Legal Community
The Board generally meets five to six times a year at dates and places designated by the President of the Association; special meetings may be called by the President or three members of the Board of Governors. All meetings are open to the public.
Visit our dedicated page Meeting Dates and Information.
Many of our committees rely on non-attorney volunteers to serve our community. If you are interested in joining a Committee, check out descriptions of a few highlighted committees below:
Discipline Divisions & Hearing Committees: Established in each of the judicial districts, these area discipline divisions are created by Bar rule and charged with holding hearings to assess the validity of allegations of improper conduct against a member of the Association.
Fee Arbitration Panels: These committees are charged by Bar rule with arbitrating fee disputes between attorneys and clients.
Law Related Education: This committee develops and participates in various law related programs for teachers, students, and the public.
To find a specific Alaska Bar Association Committee webpage, click here.
For more descriptions of Alaska Bar Committees, click here.
For questions about committee solicitations, email Melissa at melissa@alaskabar.org. Solicitations are open from February 1 – April 30, and are done through your member dashboard.
Sections are groups of the Bar that are related only to specific practice areas. Section membership is open to both members of the Alaska Bar Association and the public, offering numerous benefits to support your professional growth and development. By joining, you’ll gain access to resources such as continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities, networking with peers who share similar legal interests, updates on legislative and court actions, and participation in forums that address community and professional needs.
For a Directory of Alaska Bar Sections, click here.
Are you looking to join a section? Visit our How to Join a Section page to learn more.
To form a new section, view this page for more information.
For a list of adjunct organizations and local bar associations in Alaska, click here.
The Bar Rag represents the voice of the legal community in Alaska. Edited and written by attorneys, for attorneys, it is known for its often-irreverent and always-topical content.
For information about the Bar Rag, click here.
To view issues of the Bar Rag online, click here.
The Alaska Law Review is a scholarly publication that examines legal issues affecting the state of Alaska. The Alaska Bar Association recognizes a need for a scholarly publication devoted specifically to issues affecting Alaska. Alaska does not, however, have a state law school so the Alaska Bar selected Duke University School of Law to publish the Alaska Law Review. It is composed of second and third year law students from Duke University School of Law, and governed by a faculty advisor committee. These visits to Alaska are a great opportunity for the law students to meet Alaskan attorneys and discuss legal issues affecting Alaska.
Visit the Alaska Law Review page to see their latest issues, archives, year-in-reviews, and information on upcoming symposiums.
Anchorage Youth Court (AYC) is a restorative justice diversionary program for youth under 18 who are accused of breaking the law to be judged by their peers. Local youth in grades 7-12 take on the roles of attorneys, judges, bailiffs, and clerks. Anchorage Youth Court members develop and apply an understanding of the law through legal education, Anchorage Youth Court Bar Association membership, and actual participation in AYC court hearings. AYC is a highly beneficial program because defendants are afforded a chance, in a court hearing by trained local youth, to resolve their legal problems without receiving a formal juvenile record, to hold themselves accountable to the community, their peers, their family, and themselves, and the community receives valuable work service as redress for harm caused.
To pass the bar exam and become a member of the Anchorage Youth Court, youth complete a class about basic legal principles and practices. The Anchorage Youth Court Bar Association meets monthly and members participate in activities designed to provide a broader perspective of the judicial system and restorative justice. Activities include workshops, mock sentencings, attorney shadowing, and guest speakers from the legal community.
