Character & Fitness: Substance Abuse
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:44 pm
I'm a 3L, I received an offer from my summer firm, and I'm starting to apply for the Bar/MPRE. I hesitate to disclose what state I am in. I've done well in law school but I'm worried my past history with drinking is a red flag.
I have had several alcohol citations, all of which I disclosed on my law school application: (1) Deferred judgment due to possession of alcohol in High School (2a) Public Intox as a Freshman in College (2b) Possession of alcohol as a Freshman in College (3) Public Intox as a Senior in College -- this is the most recent and is nearly 5 years old. During my freshman year I was on non-academic probation because the incident occurred on campus. This has been disclosed and will be disclosed on my bar app of course.
Prior to law school I was hospitalized after an extended period of drinking. I did out patient rehab for 6 weeks or so. Let's just say it didn't take right away. I've also had (voluntary) counseling prior to and during law school for both alcoholism and depression/mental health stuff -- I've been on and off a variety of medications. For what it is worth, I've been sober for nearly 1 year but I'm not going to AA or anything. I do have very solid relationships with prior employers that I can use as references. I've never been fired, never been arrested for anything other than the above, never done anything remotely fraudulent, and have always been up front about my citations. With that said I've always downplayed my alcohol issues for obvious reasons.
I hesitate to ask my Dean about this issue because I know he must sign off as part of the application and vouch that I am not a raging alcoholic (although he is obviously aware of my prior citations).
Is this going to disqualify me from practicing law? Do I need to disclose the fact that I have had rehab/counseling for drinking/ mental health?
Thanks.
I have had several alcohol citations, all of which I disclosed on my law school application: (1) Deferred judgment due to possession of alcohol in High School (2a) Public Intox as a Freshman in College (2b) Possession of alcohol as a Freshman in College (3) Public Intox as a Senior in College -- this is the most recent and is nearly 5 years old. During my freshman year I was on non-academic probation because the incident occurred on campus. This has been disclosed and will be disclosed on my bar app of course.
Prior to law school I was hospitalized after an extended period of drinking. I did out patient rehab for 6 weeks or so. Let's just say it didn't take right away. I've also had (voluntary) counseling prior to and during law school for both alcoholism and depression/mental health stuff -- I've been on and off a variety of medications. For what it is worth, I've been sober for nearly 1 year but I'm not going to AA or anything. I do have very solid relationships with prior employers that I can use as references. I've never been fired, never been arrested for anything other than the above, never done anything remotely fraudulent, and have always been up front about my citations. With that said I've always downplayed my alcohol issues for obvious reasons.
I hesitate to ask my Dean about this issue because I know he must sign off as part of the application and vouch that I am not a raging alcoholic (although he is obviously aware of my prior citations).
Is this going to disqualify me from practicing law? Do I need to disclose the fact that I have had rehab/counseling for drinking/ mental health?
Thanks.