I have one theory (otherwise it doesn’t make any sense).

I’m thinking they made this decision to primarily benefit potential clients to avoid discouraging them from seeking legal services. Clients may worry that if their case is being handled by someone who hasn’t taken the bar yet they may have to pay up more.

In addition, as noted before, I think when the courts made the decision they already knew that senior attorneys oversee, supervise, and take credit of the junior/intern’s grunt work.

So, I think the decision was really just to assure potential clients from freaking out about some non-barred intern handling their case and racking up massive hours.