That continuing support for those who serve and their families is reflected in the proposed Revisions to Washington License Requirements in Support of Military Spouse Attorneys. MSJDN has built support for a rule change in the state since 2013 and celebrates this progress toward a military spouse attorney licensing accommodation in Washington.

Changes to the existing licensing structure are necessary because military families move every two to three years on average. These moves are based on the needs of the service, with no regard for a spouse’s career. Attorney spouses must obtain a new bar license with every move to continue to practice law and maintain the profession we love. It is expensive, time-consuming, and exhausting to repeatedly apply for a bar license, study for another exam, and wait for admission in each new jurisdiction. Once licensed, finding employment is a challenge in a new location without an established network and with the “temporary resident” stigma attached to military spouses. Many spouses find themselves unable to sustain a meaningful career given these challenges. The proposed rule reduces the barriers to practice by streamlining the requirements for military spouse attorneys who are already licensed and in good standing in another jurisdiction.

Having helped develop the military spouse attorney accommodations in 33 other jurisdictions, MSJDN has learned what does and does not work for this community. The Model Rule, encompassed in the proposed Washington accommodation, does not lower the standard for character and fitness or eliminate adherence to the rules of professional conduct. Instead, it reflects an appropriate balance of maintaining the highest professional standards and the important public policy interest in supporting Washington’s military families with a meaningful accommodation.

How can you help?

Submit a comment to the Washington State Supreme Court by April 30th to let them know that you support the proposed military spouse attorney license. Here’s how:

• • in writing to Clerk of the Supreme Court, P.O. Box 40929, Olympia, WA 98504-0929

• • via e-mail to supreme@courts.wa.gov

Attorneys and the public can submit a comment, but if you are…

• Barred in Washington: Please include your status as a member of the State Bar along with your support for adoption of MSJDN’s Model Rule.
• Living in Washington as a military spouse attorney: Share your story as a military spouse attorney and how an accommodation would help you.
• Practicing elsewhere on a military spouse attorney license: If you are practicing on a military spouse license, please share how the rule has helped you.

You can also share this story with your network using the buttons below and ask them to submit a comment in support of a military spouse attorney accommodation.