Question: do you have to be a member of the bar to practice law

Answer: Yes, Admission to the bar in the United States is the granting of permission by a particular court system to a lawyer to practice law in that system. Each U.S state and similar jurisdiction (e.g., territories under federal control) has its own court system and sets its own rules for bar admission (or privilege to practice law), which can lead to different admission standards among states. In most cases, a person who is ``admitted'' to the bar is thereby a ``member'' of the particular bar.