Admission by Motion

ADMISSION BY MOTION

An applicant seeking admission to the Virgin Islands Bar by motion without taking the Virgin Islands Bar Examination must satisfy the following criteria pursuant to VISCR 204(j):
Holds a J.D. or LL.B. degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association at the time the applicant matriculated or graduated;
Has been admitted after passage of a written examination to the practice of law in another United States jurisdiction;
Is admitted to the practice of law in another United States jurisdiction that admits members of the Virgin Islands Bar to the practice of law in that jurisdiction on motion without oral or written examination;
Is currently in good standing in all jurisdictions where licensed to practice law;
Is not currently subject to lawyer discipline or the subject of a pending disciplinary matter in any jurisdiction;
Has been primarily engaged in the active practice of law in one or more United States jurisdictions for five of the seven years immediately preceding the date upon which the application is filed;
Produces satisfactory evidence of good moral character, an adequate knowledge of the standards and ideals of the profession, and proof that the applicant is otherwise fit to take the oath and perform the obligations and responsibilities of a lawyer as required of all other applicants for admission to the Virgin Islands Bar; and
Passes the VILC

Reciprocal Jurisdictions

As a courtesy to applicants, the Virgin Islands has entered into reciprocal agreements with Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Virginia. However, this list of jurisdictions is not all-inclusive. Per Rule 204(j), an applicant is eligible for admission to motion if admitted in any United States jurisdiction that admits members of the Virgin Islands Bar without examination.

An applicant seeking admission on motion who is admitted in a jurisdiction with which the Virgin Islands has not entered into a reciprocal agreement will be required to provide a copy of the pertinent rule or policy indicating that a member of the Virgin Islands Bar may be admitted to that jurisdiction without examination.

An applicant for admission on motion is not authorized to practice law in the Virgin Islands until and unless application for admission on motion is granted and the applicant has taken the oath prescribed in this Rule 204(i).