NextGen Bar Exam: What Attorneys Need to Know

2026 Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting CLE

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation

Length: Approx. 1.25 hrs

1.25 CLE Credits

Cost: $50

The NextGen Bar Exam will debut in Idaho in July 2026, replacing the Uniform Bar Exam and marking a nationwide shift toward assessing practice-ready legal skills. Unlike the traditional model focused on memorizing black-letter law, the NextGen Exam evaluates how well candidates can apply legal knowledge through tasks that mirror real-world practice—such as legal research, client counseling, analysis, and problem-solving.

This session will provide attorneys with a clear understanding of how the new exam is structured, the subjects and skill areas it assesses, and how its implementation may impact the next generation of lawyers. Attendees will gain insight into what these changes mean for mentoring law students, supervising new associates, and preparing their organizations for this significant transition.

Speakers: 

Hon. Robyn M. Brody, Idaho Supreme Court

Maureen Ryan Braley, Idaho State Bar

Carole I. Wesenberg, U.S. Courts, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Lane V. Erickson, Racine Olson, PLLP