Law Degree Required to Take Massachusetts Bar Exam, Justices Say

Knowledge of the law is not a substitute for a law degree for purposes of admission to the bar, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held Tuesday.

Robert Joost had asked the court to waive the state’s requirement that applicants hold an undergraduate and juris doctor degree. He argued his more than 50 years of experience in litigation—including filing nearly 20 pro se briefs in appellate courts—make him qualified to take the bar exam.

“Joost is not entitled to a waiver of the academic degree requirements based on experience,” the opinion said. “The interests of equity and justice do not require granting a waiver.”

Joost’s experience includes representing himself in jury trials where he was convicted for possessing a firearm after being sentenced for a felony and conspiracy.

“Joost conducted the new trial pro se before a new judge, who found Joost competent to represent himself and that he knew all the rules and procedures to conduct the defense. Joost was reconvicted and perfected his own appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the conviction,” he wrote in a brief.

Joost represented himself. The Board of Bar Examiners represented itself.

The case is Joost v. Bd. of Bar Examiners, Mass., No. SJC-13587, 11/19/24.