NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Supreme Court has eased licensing requirements for lawyers who move to the state with…

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Supreme Court has eased licensing requirements for lawyers who move to the state with military spouses.

Beginning July 1, these lawyers can practice law in Virginia without passing the state bar exam. But they must work under the supervision of a Virginia lawyer. They also must have passed a bar exam and be an active member of the bar in good standing in at least one state.

The Military Spouse JD Network proposed the change. Samantha Musso led the effort in Virginia.

Musso tells The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1mxz85q ) that many lawyers stay behind when their military spouses move because passing a bar exam is time-consuming and expensive. She says some lawyers relocate with their spouses but don’t practice law.

The court adopted the new rule earlier this month.

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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com

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