Upping the price to practice law

March 5, 2008

Would-be lawyers in Maryland could be paying a lot more to take the bar exam, the Associated Press reports.

Tucked into S.B. 514, extending the lifespan of the State Board of Law Examiners, is a measure to raise the cap on the bar exam fee from $150 to $400.

“Fiery” debate on the bill will resume Thursday in the Senate, the AP said.

Opponents point out that most exam-takers are fresh out of school and don’t have hundreds of extra dollars lying around. Proponents counter that current fees don’t even cover expenses, leaving the General Fund on the hook for about $500,000 each year. Raising the fee to $325 could solve that, according to the fiscal note on the bill (PDF).

The unspoken argument, though, surely centers on what economists call inelasticity of demand. To wit: How high would fees have to go before lawyers-to-be would shake their heads, say “never mind” and walk away?

Considering all they’ve invested to get to that point — for most of them, roughly a quarter of their lives (four years of college, three of law school), not to mention tuition, books, room, board and an “interview suit” or two — I’m guessing they’ll come up with the extra coin somehow or other.

Whether that’s fair or not is another matter. What do you think?

BARBARA GRZINCIC, Managing Editor/Law

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Posted by Jackie Sauter | Filed Under government, law, maryland, money 

Comments

3 Responses to “Upping the price to practice law”

  1. Charles M. Shryock, III on March 6th, 2008 7:12 am

    I believe that the $400.00 would not be a deterrent because it could be budgeted for over the years at law school - yes, learning a little fiscal responsibility. However, on re-taking the exam, I believe cutting the cost in half would be appropriate. Yes, I realize this would be a drain on the system but we need to provide for a wide spectrum of persons who take and pass the exam and the extra expense may be prohibitive for more than some.

  2. Anonymous on March 6th, 2008 9:25 am

    As someone who worked through college and law school and survived on scholarships and loans, when I was 24 and sitting for the Bar (without a known permanent position to go to), an additional $250 was pretty significant to me. Why raise fees paid by people who have not yet entered their desired profession? Those same people have incurred 7 years’ worth of costs to get to that point? Also, not everyone goes or ends up going to the large firm paying them outrageous salaries. To some people, even after they get their first job, $250 is still a significant sum of money.

    But will people come up with the extra $250? Sure they will, but that doesn’t make it fair.

    How about adding fees to those waiving in or sitting for the Bar after already practicing law in another jurisdiction?

    I disagree with the other poster that fees to retake the exam should be reduced. The person who failed has to use the same resources and take the same exam as the person next to them. Their failure should not allow them a benefit that other test takers do not have.

  3. Mike on March 7th, 2008 8:05 am

    “The proposal has sparked a fiery debate among lawmakers, many of whom are lawyers.”

    Could you please provide the factual basis for this statement? The last time I looked less than 15% of the legislature were lawyers.

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