[clickety_clack]

Can anyone be your lawyer, or does a lawyer have to be certified somehow?

[engineer_22]

You have to be admitted to the bar to practice law. Which is to say, other lawyers must recognize you as a lawyer, and this recognition can be taken away.

[john01dav]

More practically, this means (in America) that you need a JD degree (4 year grad school), to pass an exam, and pass a(n oftrn horrifically thorough) character background check.

[froindt]

Minor point, but law school is only 3 years long.

[zaphirplane]

> pass a(n oftrn horrifically thorough) character background check.

Explains why so many let loose afterwards ;) jokes

[Someone]

There is a difference between “legal counsel” or “legal representative in court”, with the former being less restricted (“has a law degree” vs “attorney/has passed the bar exam”)

Because of that, I think you can practice law without being admitted to the bar. Chances are it varies by jurisdiction, though.

(And of course, this isn’t legal advice)

[zaphirplane]

I think they are asking about privileged communication

[xboxnolifes]

It is my understanding that they must be certified. You are allowed to represent yourself, but it is my understanding that a non-lawyer cannot represent you.

[FlyThruTheSun]

Gonna be hilarious when someone sends a Boston dynamics robot loaded with an llm to take the bar exam.