I’ve already submitted my New York bar admission application. Now what?
If you’ve already submitted your bar admission application and have received a follow-up request from the character and fitness Committee, it’s not too late to get experienced counsel.
Something was overlooked, omitted, or inconsistent with your application. You disclosed something but did not provide all of the relevant information. These things happen. Show the character and fitness Committee that you take the application process seriously, and that you respect their time, by making sure that you “nail it” in your follow-up response. Call me to schedule a consultation and, if needed, hire me to help ensure that your response adequately addresses the Committee’s concerns.
If If you’ve already submitted your bar admission application and have received a Notice for a Hearing, an experienced bar admission lawyer can help maximize your chances of being admitted after the hearing.
A character and fitness hearing is always an unwanted delay and expense. But it is not an insurmountable obstacle. If this is your situation, you probably understand that you will need experienced bar admission counsel to help you prepare for, and represent you in, your hearing. Call me to schedule a consultation where we can discuss the issues on your application and talk about how you can best proceed to reach your goal of becoming a New York admitted lawyer after your hearing.
If you’ve submitted your bar admission application in the Third Department (Albany) and have been notified that your application is being referred to a Subcommittee for interview, then you are being screened for a possible hearing. Experienced bar admission counsel can help you prepare for your Subcommittee interview and minimize the risk that the Subcommittee will recommend a hearing on your application. Call me to schedule a consultation where we can discuss the issues on your application and make a game-plan to prepare for your interview, so that you can put your best foot forward at your interview and avoid the risk of a hearing.
If you’ve already submitted your New York bar admission application and you’ve been notified that you are being scheduled for a standard character and fitness interview (and no further documents or information have been requested), then congratulations! You are well on your way to achieving your goal of becoming a New York-admitted lawyer. Every bar applicant in New York undergoes a standard interview with a member of the relevant Character and Fitness Committee prior to being recommended/certified for admission. The format of these interviews varies depending on which judicial department is processing the admission application. If you have questions about what to expect at your interview, or if there are issues/disclosures on your application that you believe may be addressed at your interview and you want to be prepared, then schedule a consultation with an experienced New York bar admission lawyer.