California State Bar Admissions and Moral Character Applications Attorney

Our Attorneys work with law students preparing their moral character applications in anticipation of receiving a Bar license.

The Bar Exam is the Easy Part

If you flunk the Bar Exam, you can take it again with a clean slate. If your Moral Character Application is turned down, you must start again -- PLUS explain whatever kept you out the last time.

The Moral Character Application is routine for most students. However, if you have some sort of issue -- criminal conviction, honor code, lawsuits -- the process takes longer. You have to disclose everything from that divorce trial to the small claims dispute over the fender bender. A DMV hearing or a contested unemployment insurance claim also counts. These are rarely trouble in the moral character process, but they become a problem when you don't report them, or if you describe them inaccurately.

When to Hire Counsel

You should strongly consider an attorney if you have a criminal conviction, suffered student discipline, have been involved in litigation, or have had to deal with a formal administrative proceeding. Your story can be told well or badly, but it has to be told. Lindsay Kohut Slatter has experience in helping you tell that story in your own voice.

"You were harder on me than they were!" 
            -Client comment after meeting with the Moral Character Subcommittee (and prior to subsequent reinstatement)

Depending on the issue, you may be called in for a personal interview with the State Bar Moral Character Subcommittee. We are experienced with preparing students for that interview.

Your 45 minute meeting with the Bar Examiners is more important than the Bar Exam. We will use our vast experience to help you demonstrate your current moral character to the committee making the decision.

Lateral Partner Transfers

Have you been asked to explain what you've been doing while in California? Don't go pro per. Call us.

If you are a lateral transfer, there are certain disclaimers that should be on your law firm's website, along with your stationery, to avoid this trap.

UPL: Another Hidden Trap

Until you are actually admitted to practice, you cannot use such terms as “Esq.” or “General Counsel” or “Associate” to describe your present job. Nor does it count if your employer knows you are not admitted. Otherwise you engage in UPL, the Unauthorized Practice of Law.