Bar Admissions Blog
Investing in Dreams
Q. Released from juvie at 18, I graduated to felonies and 85 months for wire fraud. Turning to the other side of the law, I earned a criminal justice degree while incarcerated and applied to five law schools thereafter. I only got into one. Am I wasting time on a dream that won't materialize?
A. Regardless of what happens in the future, you are hardly wasting your time. Considering how far you have come already, it would appear that your dream is materializing more each day.
As you have undoubtedly learned, the legal system offers no guarantees. But many dreams that started behind bars have led to admission to the bar.
Although four schools rejected your law school application, this does not mean that bar examiners will do likewise. When screening law school applicants, schools compare candidates with each other to select those they believe to be the "best and brightest."
By contrast, bar examiners do not compare one applicant with another. Once you have passed the bar exam, the only person they will focus on is you: Do you have the requisite moral character and fitness to practice law?
At least one law school admissions committee believes that you are worth the investment. But you are wise to ask the same question in reverse: Is law school worth your investment?
Before investing significant time, effort, and financial resources into pursuing a law degree, it is fair to ask whether you can surmount potential barriers to bar admission. Before enrolling, it may be wise to consult with an attorney who has represented bar applicants in the jurisdiction where you plan to practice.
Though no one can predict your specific chances of bar admission, you may also do some of your own homework as follows:
➤ Research Bar Admission Policies — Thoroughly research the admission policies of the jurisdictions you are interested in. Look for any explicit guidelines or restrictions regarding prior convictions. Understand the specific requirements and factors they consider in evaluating character and fitness;
➤ Contact the Lawyer Assistance Program — In addition to your attorney, the lawyer assistance program for the jurisdiction where you may wish to practice may be able to offer you some support on your journey and may even introduce you to lawyers who have overcome challenges similar to yours. You may be surprised to find others who have taken this journey and achieved their dreams;
➤ Consider Alternative Legal Careers — I do not believe you will necessarily need to go this route, but you might also explore alternative career paths within the legal field that may not require bar admission. There are various legal roles and professions that do not require passing the bar exam, such as legal research, compliance, mediation, paralegal work, or advocacy in certain contexts. Exploring these options can help you make an informed decision about your career path.
Ultimately, the decision about whether to pursue a law degree and the associated risks and rewards is a deeply personal one. Time and money are factors, but so is your passion for the field and your desire to help others confront the same challenges that you have overcome. That real-world experience is something they cannot teach you in law school, but many lawyers have drawn on such experience to achieve remarkable results on behalf of troubled clients. I am sure they would welcome one more.
