Moral Character & Fitness: We Help Bar Applicants Get Admitted with Maryland Bar and DC NCBE Application Assistance Helping Bar Applicants Respond to the Maryland Board of Law Examiners and DC Bar Committee on Admissions
Membership in the bar is a privilege burdened with conditions… a fair private and professional character is one of them… compliance with that condition is essential at the moment of admission; but it is equally essential afterwards. |
For most lawyers, the biggest challenge in being admitted to the bar is the bar examination itself. But, for some, the harder questions may come after passing the exam. If you have any type of criminal history, bankruptcies, problems with prior employers, instances of alleged dishonesty or academic honor code violations, Maryland's Board of Law Examiners and the DC Bar Committee on Admissions may raise questions about your fitness to practice law.
Character committees understand that people make mistakes and that youthful indiscretions may be overcome as one enters law school and prepares to enter the profession. In most cases, full disclosure on law school admissions applications and on the application for admission to the bar will address these concerns. Disclosure may not eliminate all problems. But the most serious concerns often arise where material facts are omitted.
If you have issues which may arouse the interest of bar admissions committees, you would be wise to consult with an experienced bar admissions attorney when responding to questions posed on the bar application, and in preparation for the character review process ahead. If any committee member raises concerns over your fitness to practice law, it is absolutely critical that you engage counsel to protect your interests, address these concerns, and promote your admission.