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Do Firms Look at Bar Application?
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:22 pm
by Anonymous User
Wondering if (biglaw) firms look at your bar application? I have a juvenile C&F issue that I'm going to have to disclose on my bar application but that won't show up on an employment background check.
Re: Do Firms Look at Bar Application?
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 10:58 pm
by Anonymous User
How would they have access to it? I can't imagine they'd care unless you got held up at c&f. Even then they're probably only trying to help. By that point enough people probably like you and enough money has been invested that they care about your professional development. Anything that'd make them rethink their decision at that point would have been something you'd be tried as an adult for anyway.
Re: Do Firms Look at Bar Application?
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:14 pm
by Aeon
Anonymous User wrote:Wondering if (biglaw) firms look at your bar application?
No.
Re: Do Firms Look at Bar Application?
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 11:31 am
by Anonymous User
OP here. Thanks for your input. In response to the first poster to respond it was my understanding that your bar application becomes a public record (the example given was that if, e.g., you're a politician and a lawyer all your opponents will rush to look through it for inconsistencies / ways to discredit you).
Re: Do Firms Look at Bar Application?
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 12:13 pm
by A. Nony Mouse
I've never heard of anyone looking at a politician's bar application. Do you have examples? I'm pretty sure it contains enough confidential information that it wouldn't be public.
Judicial application, sure.
Re: Do Firms Look at Bar Application?
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 12:28 pm
by Anonymous User
It's true that in at least one state (ma) your bar application becomes a public record available at the supreme judicial court. I have no idea if employers bother to look at them, though.
Re: Do Firms Look at Bar Application?
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 12:42 pm
by Anonymous User
To clarify: I'm in a state where your bar application becomes a public record. My Professional Responsibility prof implied this was the case in every state, but it seems like it isn't. Here's an example of this type of thing, I guess:
http://www.capecodtimes.com/article/201 ... s/10070314
If anyone has any clue whether employers in states where your bar application is public look at this, feel free to chime in. As a side note, it looks like that it's impermissible for employers in my state to discriminate on the basis of a juvenile issue, with certain exceptions. Thanks for all the thoughts so far.
Re: Do Firms Look at Bar Application?
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 10:45 pm
by A. Nony Mouse
Interesting. I didn't know states did that.
But I'd be shocked if even MA firms looked at the application.