This article originally appeared in The Bar Examiner print edition, Winter 2025-2026 (Vol. 94, No. 4), pp. 63–66.
Rule Changes
Nevada
Nevada is transitioning from its current bar exam to the Nevada Comprehensive Licensing Examination starting in 2027. This new system, known as the Nevada Plan, introduces a staged approach to licensure: (1) a Foundational Law Exam of 100 multiple-choice questions on core subjects, available four times per year after three semesters of law school; (2) a Lawyering Performance Exam, a one-day practical skills assessment taken post-graduation; and (3) a Supervised Practice Requirement of 40–60 hours of client work through law school clinics or externships, or Nevada legal aid providers. The Nevada Bar Exam in its current form (6 Nevada essays, the MBE, 2 Nevada Performance Tests) will continue to be administered through the July 2026 administration.
Effective January 19, 2026, applicants are eligible to begin the process for admission under the Nevada Plan.
Information about the Nevada Plan is available here: nvbar.org/nvplan/.
People
Alabama
Justice Kelli Wise is the new Supreme Court Liaison to the Alabama State Bar, replacing recently retired Justice Jay Mitchell.
Florida
Cristina E. Groschel and Laura E. Pincus became the new chair and vice chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, respectively, as of November 1, 2025.
Board members Timothy S. Danninger, Diana K. Bock, and John W. Evans have completed their terms on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. The newly appointed board members—Brian M. Beason, Cheri A. Boyle, Randy A. Hummel, and John H. Stone—will serve in their stead.
Georgia
Justice Andrew A. Pinson is the newest liaison Justice for the Georgia Office of Bar Admissions. He succeeds former liaison Justice P.J. Sarah Hawkins Warren, who now serves as Presiding Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Justice Warren joins Justice Charles J. Bethel, who has been a liaison Justice for the Georgia Office of Bar Admissions since 2022.
New York
John McAlary retired from his position as Executive Director of the New York State Board of Law Examiners on December 31, 2025. He first joined the board as Deputy Director in 1998 before transitioning into his role as Executive Director in 2004. McAlary has served on NCBE’s Board of Trustees since 2016 (chair, 2023–2024) and has led numerous NCBE committees.
Ohio
Todd Hicks was appointed to a vacant position on the Board of Bar Examiners in June 2025.
Patricia Gajda’s final term with the board ended October 31, 2025, after over 10 years of service. Todd Mazzola was appointed to Gajda’s seat as of November 1, 2025.
Chad Heald’s final term with the Board of Commissioners on Character & Fitness ended December 31, 2025, after serving since 2017. He had chaired the board since January 2022. Alexis Hartman took over Heald’s seat beginning January 1, 2026. Faye Cox was appointed chair as of January 1, 2026.
Oklahoma
Starting this year, Thomas M. Wright will serve as chair of the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners, and Juan Garcia will serve as vice chair. Allison Beahan joined the board staff as Administrative Assistant on September 15, 2025, and John Burks began his part-time position with the staff on August 25, 2025.
South Carolina
Autumn Drake is the new Assistant Manager of the South Carolina Supreme Court’s Office of Bar Admissions. Her new role began on September 17, 2025. Drake has served the South Carolina Supreme Court’s Office of Bar Admissions since April of 2022.
Brett Bayne has completed his service with the South Carolina Board of Law Examiners. Al Martin will continue in his stead.
Matt Kappel and Krista McGuire have stepped down from their roles on South Carolina’s Character and Fitness Committee. The committee welcomed new members Roy F. Laney and Neal D. Truslow on December 18, 2025.
Wyoming
Darin B. Scheer completed his service with the Wyoming Board of Law Examiners at the end of 2025. Joining the board is Amanda H. Newton, an attorney at the Wyoming Law Firm of Sundahl, Powers, Kapp & Martin LLC. Previously, the Wyoming Supreme Court had appointed her to the Review and Oversight Committee of the Wyoming State Bar for two terms (2014–2020).
NCBE News
Beginning with the July 2026 bar administration, several subjects will no longer be tested on the Multistate Essay Exam. These include Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts and Estates, and Secured Transactions. This change will align subject matter on the legacy UBE and the NextGen UBE, enabling law students to make informed course selections that prepare them for both exams.
Missouri Supreme Court Judge Mary R. Russell received the Sandra Day O’Connor Award from the National Judicial College during the National Appellate Judges Education Institute Summit in Minnesota on November 13, 2025. Judge Russell was first appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court in September 2004 and has served two terms as Chief Justice. She has been a member of the NCBE Board of Trustees since October 2023.
Faye McCray joined NCBE as Chief Communications Officer on January 12, 2026, having previously founded and run a strategic communications company, Culture & Quill. She holds a JD from the Howard University School of Law.
Kelly Edwards joined NCBE as Senior Research Specialist on January 5, 2026, after working for the American Board of Pediatrics. Edwards earned a PhD in research, statistics, and evaluation from the University of Virginia.
Daphne Mills joined NCBE as Research Specialist on December 15, 2025. She previously worked for Mother Earth Literacies. Mills has a PhD in educational psychology, measurement, and evaluation from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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