<p>I haven't read the book or studied the site, but yes, you can become an attorney in some states without going to law school. It's possible. I've known people who have done it. However, you should be aware that in most cases, you can only practice in that state and that there is no guarantee that the law won't change before you are eligible to take the exam. Also keep in mind that many legal jobs will be barred to you--many jobs do require a law degree. But yes, it's possible.</p>
<p>You can become a lawyer in California, for example, without going to a nationally-accredited law school. You are resticted to taking the bar in CA, however.</p>
<p>As for legal jobs being barred to you - you would have a JD after graduating from one of those schools, which is fine for some things (political work, maybe), but some jobs might accept you with your degree. I do feel as if these degrees, however, exploit the common myth about law school - that all lawyers wind up rich. Take a look at US News & World Reports graduate edition, which, IMO, is wonderful. Chances of getting a legal job after graduation is directly related to the quality of a law school. Median private-sector income is also directly related to quality. You can get a pretty good idea of how graduates of each law school fare by going through that... and it will be immensely helpful in deciding what you want to do. If your goal is to work at a top firm and make money, you ought to go the traditional route - top school, good grades - otherwise, those opportunities just won't be open to you.</p>
<p>There's a difference between getting a JD and having a wonderful, prestigous, well-paying legal job.</p>
<p>California is one of the states where you can becoming an attorney by studying under the tutelage of an attorney in an approved reading program, instead of going to law school. I remember reading that in an average year, one person might pass the bar who had undergone that process. </p>
<p>My guess is that people who take that route generally have an existing working relationship with the attorney with whom they "read" law, and that their best employment opportunity is to continue working with that attorney after being admitted to the bar.</p>