GROW LOCAL PROGRAM - GUAM GUIDE TO BECOMING A JURIS DOCTOR
FOR PROSPECTIVE LAW STUDENTS
Pursue a Legal Career in Guam
There is a growing need for legal professionals locally and career opportunities are expanding for students interested in becoming licensed attorneys in Guam. In addition to diverse job prospects, members of the legal profession often enjoy growing earning potential as their careers advance. Furthermore, the legal profession gives you the skills and capabilities to help those in your community.
Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Lawyer in Guam (for Students)
The information below provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a licensed attorney in Guam:
- Complete Undergraduate Degree - Step one is to complete your undergraduate degree. Your degree may be in any subject area, although degrees that improve reading and writing skills may be helpful. Make sure to do your best in school and to maintain the best G.P.A. possible. Undergraduate scores will be considered during law school admissions.
- LSAT - After completing your undergraduate degree (or while completing your undergraduate degree), but before applying to law school, you will also need to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is a standardized test taken by prospective law students. Law schools review this score when determining admissions and sometimes also scholarships or aid. Because the LSAT is an important admissions factor, be sure to take studying for the LSAT seriously! While Guam does not currently have any in-person LSAT preparation courses, LSAT preparation courses are available online.
- Law School Applications - Law school applications are typically submitted in November (or earlier) for admission to schools during the following academic year. However, check application deadlines with each school directly, as application deadlines may vary.
- Law School - The Guam Bar requires attorneys licensed in Guam to attend law school at an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited institution. Law school generally consists of a 3-year program and may be pursued either in-person or online. However, certain law schools also offer flexible learning options, which allow students to either accelerate their program or study part-time through programs which range from 2 to 4 years to complete. Different law school options are discussed further below.
- Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) - Before becoming licensed to practice law in Guam, applicants must complete the MPRE. This exam is administered three times per year, and slots often fill up quickly, so it is important to plan your test date in advance. The MPRE may be taken during law school or after graduation. Visit the National Conference of Bar Examiners website for more information on the MPRE: Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination - NCBE (ncbex.org)
- Bar Exam - Before becoming licensed to practice law in Guam, applicants must successfully complete and receive a passing score on the Guam Bar Exam. The Guam Bar Exam is administered twice per year in February and July. While there are no in-person bar exam test preparation courses in Guam, bar preparation courses are available online. Visit the Guam Board of Law Examiners webpage for more information on the Guam Bar Exam: Judiciary of Guam, Board of Law Examiners.
- Character and Fitness Investigation - As part of the process to become licensed as an attorney in Guam, applicants must complete a character and fitness investigation through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. For more information on the character and fitness investigation, visit the NCBE website: Character and Fitness - NCBE (ncbex.org).
Once you have successfully completed all seven steps, you will be ready to launch your career as an attorney in Guam!
Law School - Flexible Options to Pursue Your Law Degree
The time and expense of attending law school is often a challenge to students considering pursuing a career path as a lawyer. Thankfully, today there are many options which make attending law school easier than in the past.
Traditional Three-Year Law School Model
The traditional law school model required students to attend a three-year program in the continental United States or Hawaii (this is because there is no law school currently in Guam). The traditional law school model continues to be a popular option for students. This option allows students to attend classes in- person and to graduate within a three-year timeframe. However, this option may be more expensive or inconvenient for students with limited financial resources or who wish to continue living in Guam during law school.
Modern Flexible Programs
More and more law schools now provide flexible learning options that allow students to study either part-time (in person or online), partially online and partially in person (blended), or completely online. These programs may be more convenient or cost-effective for students who wish to remain in Guam and/or who wish to continue working throughout law school. Some ABA accredited law schools that currently allow students to attend law school through blended or online programs from Guam include the following:
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law
- University of Hawa’ii William S. Richardson School of Law
This is not an exhaustive list as the number of law schools providing flexible learning options continues to grow.
WICHE Reduced Tuition Rates for Guam Students
Through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), Guam students currently have the opportunity to pursue a law degree at select law schools at reduced tuition rates. The law schools which currently offer reduced rates to Guam students through the WICHE program include the William Richardson School of Law and University of Idaho College of Law. To learn more about the WICHE program, visit the WICHE webpage here: Home - WICHE.
Guam Bar Association (GBA) Law Student Mentorship
Are you a current law student? Or interested in going to law school? The GBA has monthly Grow Local meetings via Zoom, every last Friday of each month, at 8:30 a.m. Guam Time. If you'd like to join the discussion, send an email to info@guambar.org, attention Edgar Dumlao, subject: Grow Local.
GBA Grow Guam Scholarship
The GBA is excited to continue its work to create the first ever Guam Scholarship, awarded to prospect Law Students who wish to pursue a career as an attorney and start their career on Guam. Stay tuned as we include you in the GBA’s journey to creating a first ever scholarship for future lawyers!
FOR LICENSED ATTORNEYS
About Guam
Guam is a beautiful island in the Pacific and has year-round tropical temperatures and warm ocean waters. The island boasts sandy beaches, waterfalls, world-class diving, beautiful sunsets, and rolling mountains and valleys. Attorneys practicing in Guam enjoy a relaxed island lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Meanwhile, travel to Asia is just a hop away, making it easy to plan a weekend getaway to popular destinations such as Palau, Japan, South Korea or the Philippines.
Guam is a United States territory and is the southernmost and largest of the Marianas islands. Guam operates under the U.S. legal system, and is led by a governor and lieutenant governor, nineteen mayors, and a unicameral legislature comprised of fifteen senators elected at-large. The judicial branch consists of a trial court – the Superior Court of Guam – and an appellate court – the Supreme Court of Guam. Guam is also home to the U.S. District Court of Guam.
Professional Opportunities
There is a high demand for licensed attorneys in Guam, resulting in great job prospects for attorneys. Furthermore, the Guam Bar allows attorneys in good standing licensed to practice in other jurisdictions to practice as government attorneys in Guam for up to five years, all without taking the bar exam locally. For those interested in gaining criminal trial experience, practicing administrative law or handling complex civil matters early in their career, Guam is a great place to live and work.
Aside from the above exception, those wishing to practice law in Guam must obtain a license to do so by successfully completing the Guam Bar Exam. The Guam Bar Exam is administered twice per year, in February and July. Information on the Guam Bar Exam, and other requirements, is available here: Judiciary of Guam, Board of Law Examiners
Job Opportunities
Many government agencies and private firms are hiring! To view the latest job opportunities for licensed attorneys, visit the web pages below:
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