NY Admission Application Forum

[Nybar2015]

Please help me with these two questions in the NY Bar admission form:

1. Are there any unsatisfied judgments against you?
My ans: Since the question says "are there" (not were there), I understand that they are asking for current unsatisfied judgments.
Currently I dont have any unsatisfied judgments but I had a letter from a debt collection agency that I owed $150 for a transaction which I totally forgot as I was out of the country for 5 years (not an excuse). Anyways I paid the debt and its sorted. Do I still need to disclose this fact when the question asks if I have any current unsatisfied judgments?

2. Do you owe any debt for $300 or more, which is past due for over 90 days?
My ans: I currently dont have any debts. In the past (4-5 years ago), I had 4 late credit card payments but all of them were paid. Do I still need to disclose this fact??

Wondering if I should consult a C&F Attorney before I sumit my application. thanks

[HP5450]

Hell no. It's asking about your current financial condition. Don't waste your money on an attorney to explain that your impulse is correct.

[Nybar2015]

thank you so much. I feel a little relieved and hope it wont be an issue.

[ndp1234]

Using this thread to ask my question also.

How are people listing their moving violations on the application? Are you listing them with dates? The DMV only goes back 5 years and they require a 10 year history for traffic violations :/

I know I have one that happened like 8 years ago, and then two recent ones. (I live in NYC, that's why I have so many )

[thegrayman]

Using this thread to ask my question also.

How are people listing their moving violations on the application? Are you listing them with dates? The DMV only goes back 5 years and they require a 10 year history for traffic violations :/

I know I have one that happened like 8 years ago, and then two recent ones. (I live in NYC, that's why I have so many )

List them to the best of your ability, even if you have to guess. I put the following on my NY application and it went through without any questions:

"Around 2005, in [CITY], [STATE] I was given a “fix-it” ticket for not having a front license plate. I paid a fine.

Around 2006, in [CITY], [STATE] I was given a “fix-it” ticket for having tinted windows. I removed the tint and the ticket was dismissed.

Around 2006, in [CITY], [STATE] I was cited for expired vehicle registration. I paid the fine.

Around 7/2007, in [CITY], [STATE] I was cited for speeding, 85 miles per hour in a 65 zone, and for no proof of insurance. Both tickets were dismissed because I attended traffic school and provided proof of insurance.

I believe that I have accurately captured all traffic violations to the best of my ability based on the records available and my recollection of the matters."

[ndp1234]

Thanks!

[ChocolateTruffle]

Hi guys,

Stupid question. Does Part III need to be filled out by employers where we had unpaid legal summer internships too? Just wanted to make sure before I contact any employers!

Thanks!

[ndp1234]

Unfortunately yes, it says compensated or uncompensated employment including law school clinics and externships.

[ChocolateTruffle]

Unfortunately yes, it says compensated or uncompensated employment including law school clinics and externships.

Oh, thank you! I couldn't find the answer on the application.

[lawgirl111]

Did anyone have trouble getting legal affidavits from an employer? One of mine from 6 years ago has gone off the radar and I've emailed, called, can't go there in person because I'm in a different state now lol. I think I'm going to have to send the app in with one missing because it's looking like I won't get it in by the Oct 3rd deadline...so annoying that I might get delayed in getting in (if I passed knock on wood) because an employer won't get it back to me!!

[ChocolateTruffle]

Did anyone have trouble getting legal affidavits from an employer? One of mine from 6 years ago has gone off the radar and I've emailed, called, can't go there in person because I'm in a different state now lol. I think I'm going to have to send the app in with one missing because it's looking like I won't get it in by the Oct 3rd deadline...so annoying that I might get delayed in getting in (if I passed knock on wood) because an employer won't get it back to me!!

October 3 deadline? What?! We need our affidavits returned to us by October 3? But why?? The bar results won't even be out by then?

[lawgirl111]

Did anyone have trouble getting legal affidavits from an employer? One of mine from 6 years ago has gone off the radar and I've emailed, called, can't go there in person because I'm in a different state now lol. I think I'm going to have to send the app in with one missing because it's looking like I won't get it in by the Oct 3rd deadline...so annoying that I might get delayed in getting in (if I passed knock on wood) because an employer won't get it back to me!!

October 3 deadline? What?! We need our affidavits returned to us by October 3? But why?? The bar results won't even be out by then?

This doesn't apply to the first department sorry didn't mean to freak you out!! but yeah my department (3rd) said we can "supplement" our app with the bar results when they come in but to send other materials before if we want to be sworn in in Jan.. Annoying

[ArtistOfManliness]

Did anyone have trouble getting legal affidavits from an employer? One of mine from 6 years ago has gone off the radar and I've emailed, called, can't go there in person because I'm in a different state now lol. I think I'm going to have to send the app in with one missing because it's looking like I won't get it in by the Oct 3rd deadline...so annoying that I might get delayed in getting in (if I passed knock on wood) because an employer won't get it back to me!!

October 3 deadline? What?! We need our affidavits returned to us by October 3? But why?? The bar results won't even be out by then?

This doesn't apply to the first department sorry didn't mean to freak you out!! but yeah my department (3rd) said we can "supplement" our app with the bar results when they come in but to send other materials before if we want to be sworn in in Jan.. Annoying

Wait... Can you please provide the link to the Third Department requiring 10/3?

[lawgirl111]

http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad4/cler ... admin.html

That's a link for the 4th Department I can't find a link to the 3rd but I got a letter in the mail saying this for 3rd dept. If I have the date wrong I would be ecstatic- I'm and work and don't have access to the letter RN- anyone know??

[ArtistOfManliness]

My Third Department letter from August 18, 2016 says:

The next admissions ceremony in the Third Department has been scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2017. In order for you to be considered for admission on this date, it will be necessary for the Attorney Admissions Office to have received your completed application papers no later than Friday, December 9, 2016.

(emphases in original). Moreover, it continues:

Since there is a limit on the number of applicants who can be admitted at the January 19, 2017 ceremony, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, you are urged to complete and mail your application as soon as possible, and certainly well in advance of December 9 if you want to be considered for scheduling for admission at the January 19 ceremony

Find the full letter here.

[mvp99]

Oct 3 deadline..... you almost gave me a heart attack!!!
Is the ceremony a formality thats not required to be admitted to practice? I've seen pictures of friends being sworn in individually by a judge

[ArtistOfManliness]

Oct 3 deadline..... you almost gave me a heart attack!!!
Is the ceremony a formality thats not required to be admitted to practice? I've seen pictures of friends being sworn in individually by a judge

Also curious how much work I'll have to miss. Is the Third Department's swearing-in something we actually have to attend or a mere formality?

[thegrayman]

Swearing in is mandatory AFAIK. The Third Dept. ceremony took a decent chunk out of my day since I was coming from Manhattan. I took the day off basically but still got some work done on the train ride there/back.

[ArtistOfManliness]

Swearing in is mandatory AFAIK. The Third Dept. ceremony took a decent chunk out of my day since I was coming from Manhattan. I took the day off basically but still got some work done on the train ride there/back.

Thanks! (Seems TCR as I asked in another thread and got a definitive answer that it was mandatory in that the Third Department literally calls it a "mandatory swearing-in ceremony" and that there is a sign-in/signature sheet.)

[ndp1234]

Who else is wondering if the UBE transfer score option will be available on a Saturday as promised? Was foolishly waiting to see if results for NY takers would come in this week

[rkreymer]

Who else is wondering if the UBE transfer score option will be available on a Saturday as promised? Was foolishly waiting to see if results for NY takers would come in this week

Highly doubt NY will presently surprise everyone

[HonestAdvice]

On the financial judgment question: NY has a cutoff. I think it's gotta be a judgment for $300 or more so you likely don't need to disclose. My best guess is they aren't concerned about small debts that you reasonably forgot about, and were not reminded of. They're concerned about things indicating that you get yourself in financial jams. Most of the lawyers who get disbarred are disbarred for financial reasons, and most aren't necessarily dishonest but are of the "dip into client escrow to pay 1,000 here, put it back when this clears on xx date" variety. It surprises people but a legitimate inability to pay debts is probably a bigger red flag than something like shoplifting, because they're there to safeguard potential clients, not the battery aisle at Walmart.

[o0o0o0o]

Does anyone know whether our law-related employer affidavits need to be completed within a certain amount of time before they are submitted? I heard someone thought it was 2 months and am trying to see if this is correct.

I am in the First Department.

Situation is that I got a couple of affidavits at the end of August. Earliest I could apply for admission would be around Nov 1 or whenever results are announced. Two months will have elapsed between the date the affidavits are signed and the date of submission. Any problem here? I didn't see anything in the instructions for admission that suggested there's any hard requirement for how long ago affidavits can have been completed but am just asking because I'd obviously prefer to only have to submit the C&F application once. Thanks.

[ndp1234]

I believe I read in another TLS post from someone else that had gone through the 2d Department process that only the character affidavits have be within 60 days of submission. The employment affidavits have no particular date of staleness to my knowledge. But you can always call and ask because the First Department has such weird rules...

[ChocolateTruffle]

I believe I read in another TLS post from someone else that had gone through the 2d Department process that only the character affidavits have be within 60 days of submission. The employment affidavits have no particular date of staleness to my knowledge. But you can always call and ask because the First Department has such weird rules...

God, so many rules! Do you know what the 3rd department says? Why the hell would it have to be within 60 days of submission? Like someone's character would change so drastically in such a short period of time. Ugh.