On January 30, 2020, the Supreme Court of Alabama officially adopted a military spouse exception to the reciprocity rule for admission to the Alabama State Bar.

Under the rule, military spouses who will be stationed in Alabama for more than 180 days on temporary duty orders or on permanent change of station orders can apply under the rules of reciprocity to be a member of the bar as long as the spouse has been in good standing of any jurisdiction.

Alabama State Bar President Christy Crowe raised the issue with the Alabama Board of Bar Commissioners and the rule was voted forward to send to the Alabama Supreme Court.  The rule is now in effect.