Nonresident aliens ineligible to take La. bar exam

Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XVII, § 3(B), as interpreted by the Supreme Court in a pair of decisions, (In re Appert, 444 So.2d 1208 (La. 1984) and In re Bourke, 819 So.2d 1020 (La. 2002)), allows aliens to take the Louisiana bar exam only if they have gained entitlement to live and work in the United States permanently. Last Friday, the U.S. Fifth Circuit, applying rational-basis scrutiny, held that this rule does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. LeClerc v. Webb, No. 03-30752, c/w Wallace v. Calogero, No. 03-31009 (5th Cir. 7/29/05).

Thanks to Crime & Federalism for spotting this one.

p.s. (8/2/05): Read lazerwolf's commentary about this decision at Appellate Law & Practice.