The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of Patricia L. McGrail, Esq., to the Board of Law Examiners and other organizational changes. McGrail, of Allegheny County, will serve a three-year term that expires April 1, 2004. The Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners is responsible for recommending the admission of people to the practice of law in Pennsylvania. The board consists of seven members of the bar of this commonwealth who serve regular terms of three years each. Judges are eligible for appointment.
Board members provide a pro bono service to the court.
The board meets approximately once a month to review bar admission rules and recommend specific rule changes. It also reviews proposed essay examination questions and analyses, approves examination results, sets policy and handles all other bar admission obligations as charged by the court. Board members also hold formal hearings throughout the year for applicants appealing the initial denial of their application to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for admission to the bar. The board also is responsible for administering the bar exam over two days twice a year. The exams are held on the lastTuesday and Wednesday in February and in July.