Professor Guillermo Figueroa Prieto from the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Law examines the admission requirements for lawyers, Law 189-2026, and the scope of courtesy admissions in Puerto Rico. He clarifies that the law did not eliminate a residency requirement for lawyers, as there was no such requirement in place. The professor explains that the Legislature previously established admission requirements through legislation, including a 12-month residency requirement that was later repealed by Law 17-1939.
Law 189-2026 allows graduates of the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Law to be considered as graduates of an American Bar Association-accredited school. The professor’s opinions aim to address confusion created by recent publications on the topic.