Louisiana Bar Exam: A Basic Guide
The Louisiana Bar Exam is one of the most unique bar exams in the United States. This is due to the fact that the State of Louisiana is the only civil law state in the union. Because of the differences in this state’s government compared to the other states in the U.S., you will want to make sure that you are familiar with civil law governments and its procedures, as well as familiar with federal laws and procedures. This article will help you to find the most current and helpful study materials, as well as help you develop an effective study plan by providing you with the topics that will be coverd in the Louisiana Bar Exam.
QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify to sit for the Louisiana Bar Exam you will need to have a law degree from an ABA approved law school. The Louisiana Board of Bar Examiners, as well as the American Bar Association will have lists of approved schools. In addition to meeting educational requirements you will also be required to pass a background and character check, which will include an evaluation of both your criminal and financial records, as well as requiring letters of reference that attest to your moral and professional character. The final requirement to sit for the Louisiana Bar Exam is that you must take the Multistate Professional Responsibilities Exam, and you must pass it with a score of at least 80. Louisiana will accept a MPRE score for up to five years after it is taken.
If you are already an attorney in another district, if you graduated from a law school outside of the United States, or if you graduated from a non-ABA approved law school you will need to submit an application for an equivalent determination. Visit the Committee on Bar Admissions at http://www.lascba.org for more information.
REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM
To register to sit for the Louisiana Bar Exam you will need to download, print out, complete, and submit an application package. These can be found on the Louisiana Committee on Bar Admissions’ website.
Committee on Bar Admissions
2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Suite 310
Metairie, Louisiana 70002
(504) 836-2420 Local Telephone Number
(800) 314-1530 Toll Free Telephone
http://www.lascba.org
THE EXAM’S FORMAT
Louisiana is a very unique state. It is the only state to have a civil-law government. As a result this state has a bar exam that is structured differently than the other states in the Union. The Louisiana Bar Exam will span one work week, however, testing days will be held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The total time allotted for the Louisiana Bar Exam will be 21 and half hours. This time will be divided among nine different tests. To pass the candidate must earn a score of at least 70 on at least 7 of the exams, and four of the seven exams that are passed must be code exams. One of the highlights of the Louisiana Bar Exam is that their candidates don’t have to take the 200 multiple choice Multistate Bar Exam like the candidates in others states do.
On Monday the candidate will take the following exams: Civil Code I, Civil Code II, and Civil Code III. On Wednesday the candidates will take the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedures Exam, Torts Exam, and Business Entities and Negotiable Instruments Exam. Then on Friday the candidates will take exams on constitutional law, criminal law-procedures and evidence, and on federal jurisdiction and procedures.
WHAT TO STUDY
The list for what to study is quite extensive for the Louisiana Bar Exam. Below you will find a day by day list of topics that will be covered in the Louisiana Bar Exam.
Monday – The Civil Code I: Family Law
1. Marriage
2. Divorce
3. Separation
4. Child Support
5. Alimony
6. Legitimation and Filiation
7. Tutorship and Interdiction
8. Matrimonial Agreements and Community Property
9. Property Law
Monday – Civil Code II
1. Interstate Distribution
2. Representation of Deceased Persons
3. Devolution of Community and Separate Property
4. Usufruct
5. Commorientes
6. Acceptance and Renunciation
7. Incapacity
8. Unworthiness
9. Related Areas of Filiation and Adoption
10. Forced Heirship
11. Collation
12. Reduction
13. Requirements for Donations Inter Vivos and Mortis Causa
14. Related Civil Code Ancillaries
15. The Louisiana Trust Code
Monday – Civil Code III
1. The remaining Louisiana Civil Codes and related Ancillaries (except torts).
Wednesday – Louisiana Code of Civil Procedures
1. Code of Civil Procedure
2. Ancillary Statutes Relating to Civil Procedures
Wednesday – Torts
1. Negligence
2. Intentional and Strict Liability Tort Actions
3. Articles 2315 Through 2324.1
4. Articles 659 Through 671
5. Louisiana’s Workers’ Compensation Statute
6. Product Liability Law
7. Conflict of Laws
Wednesday – Business Entities and Negotiable Instruments
1. Corporations
2. Partnerships
3. Partnerships in Commendam
4. Limited Liability Companies
5. Registered Limited Liability Partnerships and Negotiable Instruments
6. Book III, Title XI of the Louisiana Civil Code
7. Title 12, Chapter 22 of the Louisiana revised Statutes
8. Chapters 1, 3, and 4 of title 9, Code Title XI of the Louisiana Revised Statutes
9. Chapters 1, 3, and 4 of Title 10 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
Friday – Constitutional Law
1. Federalism
2. Contract
3. Due Process
4. Commerce clauses
5. The Bill of Rights
Friday – Criminal Law, Procedures, and Evidence
1. Substantive Criminal Law and Procedures (US Constitution)
2. Criminal Law and Procedures (Louisiana Constitution of 1974)
3. The Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure
4. Evidence Law (Louisiana Evidence Code)
Friday – Federal Jurisdiction and Procedures
1. The Federal Judicial System
2. The Judicial Power of the US
3. Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
4. Civil Cases in Federal Courts
5. Federal Rules of Civil Procedures
6. Title 28 of the United States Code
7. Methods of Appellate Procedures, Appeals, Certifications, and Centioriari
For study material visit the http://www.lascba.org/ to find the appropriate legal references.
