State Bar of Georgia Lawyers Serving the Public and the Justice System

Information for Law Students

1. Is participation in the Transition Into Law Practice Program mandatory?
   Yes. The Transition Into Law Practice Program ("Program") applies to "any newly admitted active member admitted [to the State Bar of Georgia] after June 30, 2005," subject to specified exceptions.  Rule 8-104(B)(1) of the Rules and Regulations for the Organization and Government of the State Bar of Georgia.
2. Who is exempt from the Program?
   Subject to the State Bar of Georgia's final determination of your status regarding Program compliance made subsequent to your admission to practice law in Georgia, Bar Rules and Regulations provide that the categories of those eligible to apply for an exemption from the Program include: (a) Inactive Members (Rule 8-104 (C)(1)); (b) attorneys practicing in other jurisdictions admitted on motion without taking the Georgia Bar Examination (Rule 8-104(B)(1)(a)); (c) Foreign Law Consultants (Rule 8-104(B)(1)(a)); (d) attorneys passing the "1-Day Attorney Examination" who meet other pertinent minimum previous law practice requirements (Rule 8-104 (B)(1)(a)); and, (e) attorneys admitted to practice in Georgia but with principal practices in another state (Rule 8-104 (C)(4)) or Rule 801-6 (A)(6)).
3. Can I file an application for an exemption from the Program while I am still a law student?
   No. Because the Program is a continuing legal education requirement for Georgia State Bar members (unless exempted), your request for an exemption from Program requirements cannot be processed until after you have been admitted to practice law in Georgia.
4. Does this "new" Transition Into Law Practice Program replace the "old" Bridge the Gap Program?
   Yes.
5. Can I complete any applicable Program paperwork online?
   No, because your original signature is required on the pertinent enrollment documents.
6. If I will be a judicial law clerk, does the Program apply to me?
   A judicial law clerk is not exempt, but he or she is deferred from Program compliance during the term of the clerkship. Although compliance is deferred, a judicial law clerk must still enroll with the Program using a form provided with State Bar of Georgia enrollment materials. For more details, see State Bar Rule 8-104 (B)(1)(b)).
7. When will the Program apply to me if I am not exempted?
   State Bar Rule 8-104 (B) provides that a newly admitted active member of the State Bar of Georgia must complete the Program in the year of his or her admission or in the next calendar year.
   
   The State Bar of Georgia provides information about Program enrollment or exemption to all attorneys newly admitted to practice in Georgia. For more information about Program enrollment or exemption, call 404-527-8704 or email tilpp@gabar.org.
8. What is the goal of the Program?
   The goal of the Program is to provide professional guidance and counsel to assist beginning lawyers who are newly admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in acquiring the practical skills, judgment and professional values necessary to practice law in a highly competent manner. To carry out this goal, the Program will afford every beginning lawyer with meaningful access to an experienced lawyer equipped to teach the practical skills, seasoned judgment, and sensitivity to ethical and professionalism values that represent the best traditions and highest aspirations of the legal profession. The Program is essentially an educational program that combines a Mentoring component with a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) component.
9. What is the difference between "Outside Mentor" and "Inside Mentor"?
   The terms "Outside" and "Inside" reflect the law practice settings of the Beginning Lawyer and their Mentor. If the Beginning Lawyer practices in association with other lawyers in a law firm or organizational setting, they will have an "Inside Mentor" from that respective firm or setting. Conversely, a Beginning Lawyer who does not practice in association with other lawyers (e.g. sole practitioner) will have an "Outside Mentor"&mdashthe experienced lawyer serving as their Mentor is not practicing law in association with them.
   
   There is a separate Manual for Outside Mentoring relationships and a separate Manual for Inside Mentoring relationships because there are significant differences between the relationships, including how each type of Mentor is nominated and the type of information that each Mentor can discuss with their Beginning Lawyer. For more details, please refer to the Manuals.
10. How can I get more information about the Program?
    Return to the opening page and review other information of interest to you.