This bill amends West Virginia Code §30-2-1 to allow individuals with master's degrees, irrespective of their field of study, to take the examination for admission to practice law in the state's courts. The proposed changes include the insertion of gender-neutral language, replacing "he" and "his" with "he or she" and "his or her" throughout the text. Additionally, the bill introduces a provision stating that the Supreme Court of Appeals must establish rules and regulations for the admission process, which will now include the eligibility of those holding master's degrees to sit for the law examination.

Furthermore, the bill deletes outdated language that previously allowed individuals who graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law before July 1, 1983, to practice law upon presenting their diploma. This change reflects a modernization of the admission criteria, focusing on current educational qualifications rather than historical exceptions. Overall, the bill aims to broaden access to the legal profession in West Virginia by recognizing a wider range of academic qualifications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 30-2-1