The Washington State Bar Association's board voted unanimously on Friday to add an Indian law section to the state bar exam.

The summer 2007 exam will be the first to test aspiring lawyers on the basics of tribal sovereignty. Indian lawyers and tribal leaders supported the change.

Washington joins New Mexico as the two states that require knowledge of Indian law. Advocates hope Arizona, Idaho, Oklahoma and Oregon will join the movement.

Get the Story:
Indian law will be added to bar exam (The Seattle Times 10/23)
Indian law clears a bar in state (The Skagit Valley Herald 10/23)
Bar adds Indian law to exam (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 10/23)

Relevant Links:
Washington State Bar Association - http://www.wsba.org
Northwest Indian Bar Association - http://www.nwiba.org

Related Stories:
Indian law proposed for Washington bar exam (10/22)
Four Native lawyers in top posts for Wash. bar (02/20)
Groups encouraging Indians to enter legal field (09/09)
Indian lawyer association says ranks growing (08/27)