Spring 2026 – Week Three

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COMMUNITY REMINDERS

John S. Bradway High School Mock Trial – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Philadelphia high school students from across the city are excited to begin competing on Friday, January 30th.

Please consider signing up for one (or more) rounds at this link: https://philadelphiabar.org/?pg=YLDMockTrial

Rounds will take place at City Hall, the Federal Courthouse, and Temple Law School.

Reach out to leap@temple.edu with any questions or concerns.

Montgomery County DA’s Office Trial Ad Academy – register by February 1st

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office is excited to invite law students to their Second Annual Trial Advocacy Academy—a hands-on learning experience led by prosecutors, using a real case problem to teach practical and high-level courtroom advocacy.

Over February and March, seasoned prosecutors will guide law students through the process of presenting a compelling criminal prosecution, using a real case as the foundation. On February 7th, students will review and learn the case problem, focusing on trial components including opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, and closing arguments. The following week, students will return with their questions and materials to receive live feedback and coaching during practice sessions with these attorneys as they workshop their trial. Students will then compete in a preliminary round and, if selected, a final round before District Attorney Steele, First Assistant Ed McCann, and many other high-level prosecutors.

Key Information:

  • Location: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Norristown, PA
  • Dates:
    • 2/7/26, 9 am – 4 pm: Classroom teaching and case analysis.
    • 2/14/26, 9 am – 4pm: Continued classroom teaching, breakout sessions to practice and collaborate with coaches.
    • 3/14/26, 3/21/26: Preliminary competition round dates (students will only compete once in the preliminary round on a selected date).
    • 3/28/26: Final competition (top four 2L/3L teams and top four 1L opening statement finalists).
  • Registration Deadline: February 1, 2026
  • Remote Students: Students who attend school a substantial distance from Norristown may inquire for zoom participation for the classroom components.

Who Can Participate & How It Works:

  • 2Ls and above: Full trial competition—students (in pairs) present a complete trial using a real case before senior level prosecutors, with prosecutors serving as defense counsel.
  • 1Ls: Opening Statement Competition—1L’s will individually deliver opening statements using the same case before a jury of prosecutors.
  • Lecture Only Option: Students may attend the training sessions and competitions without competing.

To register, please complete the 2026 Trial Advocacy Academy Registration form by February 1, 2026.

For more information, please see:

APALSA Merch Crewneck – Order by January 25th

APALSA is excited to share their new embroidered crewneck, featuring a knot motif symbolizing connection and community. The crewneck is open to EVERYONE, including members and allies.

A flyer in English advertising the sale of a crew neck sweatshirt to benefit Temple Law APALSA. The flyer has two pictures of the sweatshirt highlighting the design. On the front of the sweatshirt, on the upper right side, is an embroidered design featuring the text “THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE” over a series of decorative knots. On the back of the sweatshirt, on the upper center, is an embroidered design featuring the text “TEMPLE LAW APALSA”. In the center of the flyer is an enlarged version of the embroidery design featured on the sweatshirts. The flyer also contains geometrical decorative elements in the background. Text of flyer below: 2026 MERCH APALSA EMBROIDERY DESIGN: THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE TEMPLE LAW APALSA $28 ORDER NOW !! FOR YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, BOSSES & ALLIES Link to order form in bio

Details:

Get one for yourself or as a gift to show your support for Temple Law and APALSA. We designed this crewneck to celebrate our hard work, our connections with one another, and to wish everyone good luck going into the new year.

The Women’s Law Caucus Outline Bank is now OPEN for new registrations!

Membership to the WLC Outline Bank gains you access to hundreds of outlines, previously prepared by upperclassmen at Temple Law, organized by course and professor—this is an invaluable resource, especially for new students.

Your payment goes to supporting WLC events and programs, as well as “member-only” perks, such as WLC-funded happy hours and discounted WLC merch. Your payment will also last for your entire time at Temple Law!

To gain access to the WLC Outline Bank, fill out the form linked below and follow the instructions to submit your $25.00 payment! The cutoff to pay your dues is April 1st, 2026 at 12:00pm.

Form Link: https://forms.gle/HvCp12Cb6ZeRVgSp7

UPCOMING EVENTS

Science and Democracy: A Panel Discussion – Monday, January 26th

Join Science, Technology, Society on Monday, January 26th for a timely panel discussion exploring the intersections of science, governance, power, and public participation, featuring faculty from across Temple University. This event is open to faculty, students, and staff across the university.

Event Details:
Monday, January 26, noon to 1pm
Charles Library’s First Floor Event Space
Zoom: https://temple.zoom.us/j/93890154126

Panelists:
Professor Xiaoxing Xi (Physics)
Professor Christina Rosan (Geography & Urban Studies)
Professor Amy Sinden (Law)

Moderators:
Professor Marcus Bingenheimer (Religion)
Professor Erik Hmiel (Intellectual Heritage)

APALSA Speaker Series: Big Law Panel – Tuesday, January 27th

A flyer in English advertising the event with pictures of the panelists and the Temple APALSA logo. Text of flyer: APALSA Speaker Series: Big Law Panel Tuesday, January 27 at 12:00PM Room K1A Lunch will be provided Millisa Yensel Reed Smith (Business/ Corporate Litigation) Thu Lam Holland & Knight (Taxation) Katie Chung Dechert (Corporate/ M&A Transactions) Minji Kim Buchanan (Labor/Employment) Chelsea Hollenstein Buchanan (Labor/Employment)

Join Temple APALSA on Tuesday, January 27 at 12:00 PM in K1A for a Big Law panel featuring AAPI attorneys from tax, business and corporate litigation, labor and employment, and transactional practices. This event is especially encouraged for students interested in pursuing Big Law careers. Lunch will be provided. Room TBA – see the Temple Law Events Calendar for the most updated information on location.

Injustice Town: Meet the Author Rick Tulsky, JD ’84 – Tuesday, February 10

Please join Professor Jules Epstein as he introduces Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Temple Law graduate Rick Tulsky ‘84. Professor Epstein and Mr. Tulsky will discuss the author’s new book, Injustice Town, after which he will take questions about the book and his career as a lawyer and journalist. Lunch will be served.

Tuesday, February 10, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
K1A

Learn More and Register here

Temple APALSA Lunar New Year Banquet 2026 – Friday, February 20th

A flyer in English advertising the event with decorative elements in the background of clouds, paper decorations and lantern, and fireworks. The number 0 in 2026 is a decorative image of a horse in a circle. The flyer also has the Temple APALSA logo and a QR code that directs to the registration page. Text of flyer: SAVE THE DATE LUNAR NEW YEAR BANQUET 2026 Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine St.) FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026 AT 5-9 P.M. PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Temple APALSA at our Annual Lunar New Year Banquet on Friday, February 20, 2026, hosted for the first time at the Asian Arts Initiative. Enjoy an evening of networking, a buffet-style dinner, cultural performances, and community remarks alongside students, faculty, and members of the Philadelphia legal community.

Purchase tickets here. Early bird pricing is available for the first 25 tickets (save $5 per ticket).
Student: $30 | Faculty/Staff: $45 | General Admission: $55
Ticket sales close February 18.

WRITING COMPETITIONS, CONTESTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND TOURNAMENTS

Scholarship Opportunities and Databank

Information on available scholarships, writing competitions, contests, and tournaments is posted here: Student Post Scholarship Page.  Students seeking additional financial support during law school can also access the AccessLex Scholarship Databank.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND TA POSITIONS

AOPC Legal Intern Position – Apply by January 31st

The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) is currently seeking Legal Interns. The position requires a commitment of thirty-five hours per week during the summer and ten hours per week during the academic year, spanning from May 2026 through May 2027. Applications are invited from first- and second-year law students who possess a working knowledge of legal terminology and procedures and exhibit strong written and oral communication skills. Applications must be received by January 31, 2026. Prospective applicants can learn more and apply here.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS REMINDERS AND EVENTS

TUSafe App – download today!

Temple University’s Department of Public Safety has a one-stop personal safety app that is available on your mobile device. Please visit the university’s Public Safety website for the new application.

Bike Temple: Register your Bicycle; Free U-locks

Students can register bicycles online using Campus Safety’s Bike Registration Form. Just complete and submit the online form, and then visit one of the Campus Safety locations.

Temple Campus Walking Escort Program

To request an escort, call: 8-WALK (8-9255) from a campus phone, or call: 215-777-9255 from a cell phone. Escort service is available daily from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. 

Temple Flight Program

Flight is Temple University’s nighttime fixed-route shuttle loop service. Flight-branded shuttles circulate throughout the areas within and surrounding the main campus patrol zone, and pick up and drop off students at each of its over 40 stops. Flight shuttles can be tracked in real time.

BAR EXAM & MPRE

Introducing “Esquire Bound” – Your Guide for Admission to Practice and Bar Success

We’re excited to share our Esquire Bound Series, a collection of short, on-demand videos designed to help you navigate the process of admission to practice and bar exam success.

You can explore all available videos here: Esquire Bound Series Playlist

The first three videos are now available:

You can access the slides via the link in the description below each video.

We will continue to add videos to the playlist in the coming days and weeks. Upcoming topics include:

  • Nonstandard Testing Accommodations
  • The Bar Application: Introduction to Character & Fitness
  • Bar Prep Timeline
  • Choosing a Bar Prep Course and Other Resources
  • Creating Your Bar Study Schedule (Full Time and Part Time)
  • Staying Well During Bar Prep

If you have questions about any of the topics covered—or suggestions for future videos—please share them through our Esquire Bound Series: Question Submission Form. We’ll also be creating an FAQ document to answer common questions submitted by students.

2026 MPRE Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice examination administered three times per year. It is required for admission to the bars in almost every jurisdiction in the United States. The 2026 test dates for the MPRE can be found below. Registration for all 2026 MPRE test dates are now open. The Test Fee is $185.

Test Administration Recommended Submission Date to Apply for Accommodations Registration Deadline
Fee: $185
March 24 or 25, 2026 November 20, 2025 January 22, 2026
August 11 or 12, 2026 April 23, 2026 June 11, 2026
November 12 or 13, 2026 July 30, 2026 September 17, 2026

For more information, or to register, please go to the MPRE Registration Information page of the NCBE website here: https://www.ncbex.org/exams/mpre/registration/

Information on Free MPRE Review Courses

MPRE review courses are a great opportunity to get a sense of which commercial bar prep course might be best for you. Information on the MPRE prep courses for some of the most popular bar prep companies are linked below: BARBRI, Helix, Kaplan, Quimbee, Themis.

Bar Application Fees and Deadlines

The requirements, deadlines, and fees to apply to the bar can vary widely by state. You should check your jurisdiction’s requirements early and often. For basic information and links to each jurisdiction’s bar examiner website, go to https://www.ncbex.org/jurisdictions.

The bar application deadlines and fees for some local jurisdictions can be found below.

Pennsylvania

Application for Permission to Sit for the Pennsylvania Bar Examination and for
Character and Fitness Determination under Pa.B.A.R. 203/205
Application deadlines and filing fees for the bar exam. The following deadlines are POSTMARK deadlines.
Filing Deadline February Exam July Exam Applicant Fee
Timely October 30 March 31 $750.00
Late November 30 April 30 $1075.00
Final December 15 May 15 $1,400.00

If you wish to type the essay portion of your exam, you must enroll in Computer Based Testing (CBT), which has an additional fee. For more information, go to Pennsylvania Bar Exam Fees and Deadlines and Pennsylvania Bar Exam Computer Based Testing (CBT),

New Jersey

Bar Exam Application Deadlines
Filing Deadline February Exam Fees July Exam Fees
Timely October 1 – October 31 $675 March 1 – March 31 $675
First Late November 1 – November 15 $950 April 1 – April 15 $950
Final Deadline – No Exceptions November 16 – November 30 $1,200 April 16 – April 30 $1,200

For more information, go to New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners: Fees, Deadlines & More

New York

New York has two separate exams: the UBE – taken after earning your JD, and the New York Law Exam (NYLE), which students may take in their last year of law school.

Upcoming UBE Exam Dates & New York Application Deadlines

The UBE administered on the last Tuesday and Wednesday every February and July. Applications to sit for the exam in New York must be filed during the month of October for a February examination and during the month of March for a July examination. There is no late application period.

The application fee for the UBE for individuals seeking admission under Section 520.3 (JD received from an ABA approved law school) is $250.

Below are the exam dates and application filing periods for upcoming UBE administrations:

Dates of Bar Exam Application Filing Dates
February 24-25, 2026 October 1 – 31, 2025
July 28-29, 2026 March 1 – 31, 2026
February 23-24, 2027 October 1 – 31, 2026
July 27-28, 2027 March 1 – 31, 2027

If you wish to type your essay answers (rather than handwrite), you must register for the Laptop Program when they complete the online UBE application. There is an additional $100 technology fee to enroll in the program, paid directly to ExamSoft once you register.

Upcoming NYLE Dates & Registration Deadlines

The New York Law Exam (NYLE) is a 50-item, two-hour, open-book, multiple-choice test administered online that tests important New York rules covered in the New York Law Course (NYLC). You must complete the NYLC before registering for the NYLE, and you must register for the NYLE at least 30 days before the scheduled exam. There is no fee to take the NYLC. However, there is a $29 fee payable to ExamSoft to take the NYLE.

Below are the exam dates and registration deadlines for upcoming NYLE administrations:

Dates of NYLE Registration Deadline
Thursday, April 16, 2026 12:00PM ET Tuesday, March 17, 2026 11:59PM ET
Thursday, September 24, 2026 12:00PM ET Tuesday, August 25, 2026 11:59PM ET
Thursday, December 17, 2026 12:00PM ET Tuesday, November 17, 2026 11:59PM ET

For more information, go to:

Delaware

The Delaware Board of Bar Examiners establishes Early and Final Filing Deadlines for each exam administration. The Early Deadlines are usually the first Tuesday of November (February exam) and the first Tuesday of April (July exam). The Final Deadlines are usually the first Tuesday of December (February exam) and the first Tuesday of May (July exam).

Below are the deadlines and fees for the upcoming administrations:

Delaware Bar Exam Application Deadlines for Law School Graduates
Filing Deadline February 2026 Exam July 2026 Exam Fees
Early November 4, 2025 TBA $700
Final December 2, 2025 TBA $900

For more information, go to: Delaware Board of Bar Examiners Website.

The Bar Exam & MPRE: Key Information and Upcoming Changes

Over the next several years, the bar exam will change for most US jurisdictions. The current bar exam in most jurisdictions is the Uniform Bar Examination, or the Legacy UBE. The new bar exam is called the NextGen UBE. Additionally, almost every US jurisdiction requires its applications to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).

Below you will find information about the MPRE and the Legacy-NextGen transition for those intending to sit for the bar exam between July 2026 and February 2028. Regardless of which exam you will take, we encourage you to meet with Noeleen Urmson, Associate Director of Academic and Professional Success, for additional information and guidance.

About the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination

The MPRE is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice examination that is administered three times per year. Developed by the NCBE, the MPRE is required for admission to practice in all but two US jurisdictions (Wisconsin and Puerto Rico). Note: Connecticut and New Jersey accept successful completion of a law school course on professional responsibility in lieu of a passing score on the MPRE. Many examinees take the MPRE while they are still in law school, but there is no requirement that you do so.

The purpose of the MPRE is to measure examinees’ knowledge and understanding of established standards related to the professional conduct of lawyers. The MPRE is not a test to determine an individual’s personal ethical values.

MPRE requirements vary from one jurisdiction to another, so examinees are advised to check with the governing body for bar admission in the jurisdiction to which they seek admission before registering for the MPRE. Passing scores and timelines to take the exam are established by each jurisdiction.

The MPRE is administered at dedicated testing centers in all US jurisdictions. Students studying abroad in their last year who wish to take the MPRE before they graduate should plan accordingly.

Testing accommodations requests are made directly to NCBE. Examinees seeking testing accommodations for the MPRE must apply for, and receive their determination, before registering for the exam and scheduling a test appointment. Applications should be submitted well in advance of the desired MPRE testing administration, and no later than the Recommended Submission Date for that administration.

Universal Bar Exam Transition: Legacy to NextGen

Between July 2026 and February 2028, the Legacy UBE will gradually be replaced by the NextGen UBE. The Legacy UBE will sunset after the February 2028 administration; beginning in July 2028, only the NextGen UBE will be offered. Both exams will be offered during this transition period, and each jurisdiction adopting the NextGen UBE determines when they will first administer the exam.

During the UBE transition period, examinees will have a choice: whether to sit for the Legacy UBE or the NextGen UBE. This is determined by where and when the examinee sits for the exam. The transition timeline for local jurisdictions can be found below:

PENNSYLVANIA
Last administration of the Legacy UBE: February 2028
Frist administration of the NextGen UBE: July 2028

NEW JERSEY
Last administration of the Legacy UBE: February 2028
Frist administration of the NextGen UBE: July 2028

DELAWARE*
Last administration of the Delaware Bar Exam: July 2027
Frist administration of the NextGen UBE: February 2028

*Note: Delaware is not a Legacy UBE Jurisdiction, but will adopt the NextGen UBE with a jurisdiction-specific law component

NEW YORK
Last administration of the Legacy UBE: February 2028
Frist administration of the NextGen UBE: July 2028

Both exams provide portable bar exam scores; this means that a qualifying UBE score earned in one UBE jurisdiction may be used to apply for admission to other UBE jurisdictions. To find out if the jurisdiction(s) in which you wish to be licensed administers and/or accepts scores earned through the UBE, visit https://www.ncbex.org/jurisdictions.

As jurisdictions across the country transition from the Legacy UBE to the NextGen UBE, understanding the differences – and the similarities – between the two exams is crucial.

Key Similarities:

  • Purpose: Assess examinees’ readiness for legal practice, focusing on the legal knowledge and skills most necessary within the first three years after licensure
  • Subject Matter: Test the same general subject areas: business associations, civil procedure, constitutional law, contract law, criminal law, evidence, real property, and torts (see About the Legacy UBE below for information on additional MEE subject areas). Family law will be added to the NextGen UBE in July 2028.
  • Source: Developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and administered by individual jurisdictions. You’ll apply to take the exam in your preferred jurisdiction, and the jurisdiction will determine your eligibility to take the exam.
  • Testing Accommodations: Examinees seeking testing accommodations apply through their jurisdictions, which makes all accommodations decisions.
  • Dates: Administered twice yearly, on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July.
  • Portability: Produce portable scores for transfer to participating jurisdictions.

Key Differences:

  • Duration: Legacy UBE is 12 hours over two days; NextGen UBE is 9 hours over 1.5 days.
  • Delivery: Legacy UBE uses printed materials, Scantrons, and examinees’ laptops; NextGen UBE is administered entirely on examinees’ laptops.
  • Content Focus: Both cover core legal knowledge, but the NextGen UBE expands on the legal skills tested on the legacy UBE, emphasizing issue spotting, research, writing, client counseling, and negotiation.
  • Question Structure: Legacy UBE includes multiple-choice questions, essays, and performance tests; NextGen UBE includes multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets, and performance tasks.

About the Legacy Uniform Bar Exam

Exam Details:

  • Administration: Twice annually (February and July). Final administration is February 2028.
  • Format: 12 hours over two days. Administered in person at jurisdiction-managed sites.
  • Question Types:
    • Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)
    • Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
    • Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
  • Delivery: Exam is administered using printed exam booklets. Examinees may choose to use their laptops to answer the MEE and MPT. For the MBE, answers are submitted on Scantron forms.
  • Subjects Tested: Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. Through February 2026 only, the Legacy UBE will also test Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts and Estates, and Secured Transactions.
  • Skills Tested: issue spotting, legal analysis and reasoning, factual analysis, communication, organization and management of a legal task, and recognizing and resolving legal dilemmas.
  • Scoring: NCBE grades multiple-choice questions; jurisdictions grade written components.
  • Portability: Scores earned on the Legacy UBE are portable to other Legacy UBE jurisdictions.

About the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam

Exam Details:

  • Administration: Twice annually (February and July). First administration is July 2026 (in select jurisdictions).
  • Format: 9 hours over 1.5 days.
  • Delivery: computer-based, using NCBE’s secure testing browser on examinee laptops of jurisdiction-managed sites.
  • Subjects Tested: Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.
  • Skills Assessed: Legal research, legal writing, issue spotting and analysis, investigation and evaluation, client counseling and advising, negotiation and dispute resolution, and client relationship management.
  • Question Formats: Multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets (simulating real-world legal tasks), and performance tasks.
  • Scoring: NCBE scores multiple-choice, jurisdictions score written portions.
  • Portability: NextGen UBE scores earned in any jurisdiction may be transferred for admission to any other jurisdiction that accepts portable scores.

For guidance as to which exam applies to your jurisdiction (or the jurisdiction in which you’re looking to practice), or for help with bar preparation resources, please contact Noeleen Urmson, Associate Director of Academic and Professional Success, for additional information and guidance.