Student Practice Certification

Rule 3:03 Certification

Some states allow law students to appear in court proceedings for a qualified agency and under the supervision of a licensed attorney if certain requirements are met. See, e.g., Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03.

Note that the requirements usually are very specific and must be adhered to. For example, in Massachusetts, if you have graduated from law school and a potential employer asks that you be certified under Rule 3:03 so that you can appear in court while you await the results of the bar examination and before you become admitted to the bar, the School cannot certify you under Rule 3:03 unless you previously were certified under Rule 3:03 at least three months before graduation. Thus, if you think you might seek permanent employment with an agency that will want you to be certified under Rule 3:03 after graduation from law school (such as a District Attorney’s Office), you must seek qualifying opportunities in law school that will enable you to be certified under Rule 3:03 at least three months before you graduate.

For more information on student practice certifications, or to request a letter from the School certifying a student under a state’s student practice rule, please contact:

Kevin Schwartz
Senior Program Coordinator
Office of Clinical & Experiential Programs
schwarke@bu.edu