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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the licensure of certain attorneys licensed to practice |
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law in other jurisdictions to practice law in Texas. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 82.036, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 82.036. FOREIGN ATTORNEYS. (a) The supreme court |
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shall make such rules and regulations as to admitting attorneys |
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from other jurisdictions to practice law in this state as it shall |
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deem proper and just. All such attorneys shall be required to |
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furnish satisfactory proof as to good moral character. |
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(b) The rules adopted under this section must allow an |
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attorney who is licensed to practice law in another state and whose |
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J.D. degree is based on study by correspondence to take the bar |
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examination and, on passing the examination, be admitted to |
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practice law in this state, if: |
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(1) the degree was awarded by a law school that is |
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authorized to award J.D. degrees based on study by correspondence |
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by the state in which the attorney is licensed; |
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(2) the attorney obtained the attorney's license from |
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the highest court of the state in which the attorney is licensed as |
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a result of passing the bar examination of that state; |
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(3) the attorney is in good standing with the |
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licensing authority of the state in which the attorney is licensed; |
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and |
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(4) the attorney is otherwise eligible to take the bar |
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examination. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Supreme Court shall adopt rules to implement |
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Section 82.036, Government Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. Section 82.036, Government Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies only to a person who files an application to take |
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the Texas bar examination or an application for admission to the |
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State Bar of Texas on or after September 1, 2007. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |