If New Jersey bar exam administrators caused a widespread stir in taking up consideration of a universal version of the test, a recent public hearing on the issue was no indicator of that.

The Nov. 18 hearing at the Law Center in New Brunswick, hosted by the committee charged with making a recommendation to the Supreme Court on whether to adopt the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), was sparsely attended, with panel members nearly outnumbering members of the public.

Key bar groups, however, were represented, and for good reason: New York's adoption of the UBE earlier this year has significant logistical implications on test administration in New Jersey, where half of test-takers seek licensure in both states.