Florida Bar Exam - Official Thread Forum

[FloridaLawyer2B]

Thanks for the info! I'm admitted in NY so have gone through the C&F stuff there. Like you said, maybe that helps. The Florida Board sent a letter where they wanted a few minor things clarified, but that has been it. I would think it's gotta be close to wrapping up.

Even after I responded to some inquiries, I think it will still a month or two before I got my clearance letter. It'll come though.

[NY-Lawyer]

Thanks for the info! I'm admitted in NY so have gone through the C&F stuff there. Like you said, maybe that helps. The Florida Board sent a letter where they wanted a few minor things clarified, but that has been it. I would think it's gotta be close to wrapping up.

Even after I responded to some inquiries, I think it will still a month or two before I got my clearance letter. It'll come though.

I got the inquiries in early to mid-January. So, I would hope we are getting close at this point. Won't much matter if I don't pass the bar exam!

[FloridaLawyer2B]

Thanks for the info! I'm admitted in NY so have gone through the C&F stuff there. Like you said, maybe that helps. The Florida Board sent a letter where they wanted a few minor things clarified, but that has been it. I would think it's gotta be close to wrapping up.

Even after I responded to some inquiries, I think it will still a month or two before I got my clearance letter. It'll come though.

I got the inquiries in early to mid-January. So, I would hope we are getting close at this point. Won't much matter if I don't pass the bar exam!

Yeah that's true. I guess we'll find out in a month or so whether we did or not.

[johngotti]

Anyone else thinking that everything going on right now might affect the release of bar results? I have zero info just speculating.

[Allegedly88]

Anyone else thinking that everything going on right now might affect the release of bar results? I have zero info just speculating.

I was just thinking about that and my thoughts brought me to log on to this forum to see if anyone had any info. I came across some article about the July bar possibly having issues but nothing has been confirmed or final, just comments on what could happen. So i dont know if our result date will be affected.

[FloridaLawyer2B]

I don't think February's results will be delayed. The Board has only indicated their lobby is closed for the time being, but business as usual otherwise. July's exam appears to be going ahead as scheduled. I don't think the Board would make any determinations on something that major this far out. So much is changing even by the hour, its impossible to make that call right now.

[NY-Lawyer]

Thanks for the info! I'm admitted in NY so have gone through the C&F stuff there. Like you said, maybe that helps. The Florida Board sent a letter where they wanted a few minor things clarified, but that has been it. I would think it's gotta be close to wrapping up.

Even after I responded to some inquiries, I think it will still a month or two before I got my clearance letter. It'll come though.

I got the inquiries in early to mid-January. So, I would hope we are getting close at this point. Won't much matter if I don't pass the bar exam!

Yeah that's true. I guess we'll find out in a month or so whether we did or not.

So, I received a letter from the Board today saying that they are deferring making a decision on my application for now. They are requiring a 10-page brief from me. Has anyone else had this experience? Should I possibly be getting in contact with a Florida character & fitness attorney? It seems like they just want to ensure that I understand that I need to be a law abiding citizen and how important that is for trust. I would think if I write a nice brief on this, then maybe they will clear me.

[ryan1888hls]

That's interesting...anything in your background that would have raised a red flag?

Thanks for the info! I'm admitted in NY so have gone through the C&F stuff there. Like you said, maybe that helps. The Florida Board sent a letter where they wanted a few minor things clarified, but that has been it. I would think it's gotta be close to wrapping up.

Even after I responded to some inquiries, I think it will still a month or two before I got my clearance letter. It'll come though.

I got the inquiries in early to mid-January. So, I would hope we are getting close at this point. Won't much matter if I don't pass the bar exam!

Yeah that's true. I guess we'll find out in a month or so whether we did or not.

So, I received a letter from the Board today saying that they are deferring making a decision on my application for now. They are requiring a 10-page brief from me. Has anyone else had this experience? Should I possibly be getting in contact with a Florida character & fitness attorney? It seems like they just want to ensure that I understand that I need to be a law abiding citizen and how important that is for trust. I would think if I write a nice brief on this, then maybe they will clear me.

That's interesting...

[NY-Lawyer]

That's interesting...anything in your background that would have raised a red flag?

Thanks for the info! I'm admitted in NY so have gone through the C&F stuff there. Like you said, maybe that helps. The Florida Board sent a letter where they wanted a few minor things clarified, but that has been it. I would think it's gotta be close to wrapping up.

Even after I responded to some inquiries, I think it will still a month or two before I got my clearance letter. It'll come though.

I got the inquiries in early to mid-January. So, I would hope we are getting close at this point. Won't much matter if I don't pass the bar exam!

Yeah that's true. I guess we'll find out in a month or so whether we did or not.

So, I received a letter from the Board today saying that they are deferring making a decision on my application for now. They are requiring a 10-page brief from me. Has anyone else had this experience? Should I possibly be getting in contact with a Florida character & fitness attorney? It seems like they just want to ensure that I understand that I need to be a law abiding citizen and how important that is for trust. I would think if I write a nice brief on this, then maybe they will clear me.

That's interesting...

Yeah, I had a legal issue from a couple years ago that I knew may present a delay. I was very candid and provided a long written account of what happened and provided all paperwork up front. I don't think it should ultimately prevent me from being cleared since I don't have any misdemeanor or felony convictions on my record and it didn't involve fraud or dishonesty (plus, other attorneys have done far worse and were then admitted or are still practicing). I just didn't know they would want me to write a brief. It's not a huge deal to complete, but I haven't seen it come up anywhere else and it isn't mentioned in their rules. They haven't requested an investigative hearing, or a formal hearing. So, I'm hoping that if I submit this brief to them, then they will be satisfied and clear me. I'm admitted and in good standing in New York already. Just a little nervous that they still aren't satisfied!

[Allegedly88]

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I don't think February's results will be delayed. The Board has only indicated their lobby is closed for the time being, but business as usual otherwise. July's exam appears to be going ahead as scheduled. I don't think the Board would make any determinations on something that major this far out. So much is changing even by the hour, its impossible to make that call right now.

I just read something that the decision whether to postpone the bar has to be made soon and some of the options the board is considering is letting 2020 grads have the “diploma privilege” like Wisconsin allows without taking a bar exam but able to practice law and an attorney in that state.
My question is, if this is actually implemented in every state for 2020 grads.. what happens to the retakers?

[Anonymous User]

[*][/url]

I don't think February's results will be delayed. The Board has only indicated their lobby is closed for the time being, but business as usual otherwise. July's exam appears to be going ahead as scheduled. I don't think the Board would make any determinations on something that major this far out. So much is changing even by the hour, its impossible to make that call right now.

I just read something that the decision whether to postpone the bar has to be made soon and some of the options the board is considering is letting 2020 grads have the “diploma privilege” like Wisconsin allows without taking a bar exam but able to practice law and an attorney in that state.
My question is, if this is actually implemented in every state for 2020 grads.. what happens to the retakers?

It wouldn't apply to retakers and that article is pure speculation. UF Dean said she has talked to them and they will likely have an exam in July just in smaller testing rooms

[FloridaLawyer2B]

It would be a remarkable departure from longstanding policy if the Florida Bar allowed "diploma privilege". In fact, its so out in space, I would almost think that story was on The Onion.

If anything, I'd expect the Florida Bar to maintain the status quo. The market demand for lawyers in Florida may well drop, particularly if our economy takes a pasting like it did in 2008, and competition for existing positions (which is already tough), is likely to get even more challenging. Remember, one of the reasons Florida doesn't have reciprocity is to prevent everyone coming here and flooding the legal profession.

[QContinuum]

It would be a remarkable departure from longstanding policy if the Florida Bar allowed "diploma privilege". In fact, its so out in space, I would almost think that story was on The Onion.

If anything, I'd expect the Florida Bar to maintain the status quo. The market demand for lawyers in Florida may well drop, particularly if our economy takes a pasting like it did in 2008, and competition for existing positions (which is already tough), is likely to get even more challenging. Remember, one of the reasons Florida doesn't have reciprocity is to prevent everyone coming here and flooding the legal profession.

While I agree it's extremely unlikely, nothing's impossible. New Jersey for decades held out against reciprocity, for a similar reason - to prevent the perceived threat of New York lawyers (many of whom commuted to NYC from NJ) flooding the NJ legal profession. Then, almost overnight, despite no significant shift in position from NJ lawyers, the NJ Supreme Court decided that protectionism wasn't a valid rationale, adopted the UBE and opened NJ up to reciprocity.

[johngotti]

Less than 2 weeks away, hope everyone is maintaining sanity and health. On the website they've still got April 13 as the release date, I'm sure it helps that February has like half as many takers as July.

[BansheeScream]

Does anyone know how we're supposed to get fingerprinted with fingerprinting services shutdown due to shelter in place? My application is essentially completed with the except of fingerprints but I doubt I'll be able to do that before the deadline.

[johngotti]

Does anyone know how we're supposed to get fingerprinted with fingerprinting services shutdown due to shelter in place? My application is essentially completed with the except of fingerprints but I doubt I'll be able to do that before the deadline.

Look on the Board of Bar Examiners covid FAQ

[allymariee19]

So I have already been cleared by The Fl Bar to practice once I pass the Bar, I check today and my application says Board Action Pending - that my application has been forwarded to the board for consideration. Now I am freaking out. Has anyone else seen this or know anyone that has?

[johngotti]

So I have already been cleared by The Fl Bar to practice once I pass the Bar, I check today and my application says Board Action Pending - that my application has been forwarded to the board for consideration. Now I am freaking out. Has anyone else seen this or know anyone that has?

Is that on the applicant portal online? No idea what that's about

[FloridaLawyer2B]

So I have already been cleared by The Fl Bar to practice once I pass the Bar, I check today and my application says Board Action Pending - that my application has been forwarded to the board for consideration. Now I am freaking out. Has anyone else seen this or know anyone that has?

Yes it means your application and C&F packet have been complete and forwarded to the Board. So when the Board next meets (not sure their anticipated next meeting due to the current COVID situation), they will vote to approve your application, and thus you will be eligible to be sworn in once you complete the MPRE and the bar exam successfully. This will be your "Clearance" letter.

[allymariee19]

So I have already been cleared by The Fl Bar to practice once I pass the Bar, I check today and my application says Board Action Pending - that my application has been forwarded to the board for consideration. Now I am freaking out. Has anyone else seen this or know anyone that has?

Yes it means your application and C&F packet have been complete and forwarded to the Board. So when the Board next meets (not sure their anticipated next meeting due to the current COVID situation), they will vote to approve your application, and thus you will be eligible to be sworn in once you complete the MPRE and the bar exam successfully. This will be your "Clearance" letter.

I already received my official Clearance letter last year. I checked my portal for the first time 2 days ago and it said Applicant Cleared, etc. Now it say's "Pending Board Action." I don't think anything has happened for them to not clear me after I've been cleared.

[allymariee19]

So I have already been cleared by The Fl Bar to practice once I pass the Bar, I check today and my application says Board Action Pending - that my application has been forwarded to the board for consideration. Now I am freaking out. Has anyone else seen this or know anyone that has?

Is that on the applicant portal online? No idea what that's about

Yes, if you created your online account before a certain date in 2017, you are eligible for electronic correspondence. Login to your FL Bar account and click on Applicant Portal, it will have your clearance status there. Just trying to ascertain why mine changed so suddenly.

[johngotti]

So I have already been cleared by The Fl Bar to practice once I pass the Bar, I check today and my application says Board Action Pending - that my application has been forwarded to the board for consideration. Now I am freaking out. Has anyone else seen this or know anyone that has?

Is that on the applicant portal online? No idea what that's about

Yes, if you created your online account before a certain date in 2017, you are eligible for electronic correspondence. Login to your FL Bar account and click on Applicant Portal, it will have your clearance status there. Just trying to ascertain why mine changed so suddenly.

Yeah it says Application Cleared on my portal account. Now I'm scared I didn't pass yet again.

[Anonymous User]

It also happened to me, and another test taker. I am not sure what the meaning behind it is. I've had my clearance letter for some time now too. Do you think they do a complete background check on every applicant? or just for successful applicants?

[johngotti]

It also happened to me, and another test taker. I am not sure what the meaning behind it is. I've had my clearance letter for some time now too. Do you think they do a complete background check on every applicant? or just for successful applicants?

They do the background check when you submit your bar application, I got a clearance letter in the mail last year. It could mean you passed and it's an admin screwup or it could mean nothing at all.

[Allegedly88]

So I have already been cleared by The Fl Bar to practice once I pass the Bar, I check today and my application says Board Action Pending - that my application has been forwarded to the board for consideration. Now I am freaking out. Has anyone else seen this or know anyone that has?

Is that on the applicant portal online? No idea what that's about

Yes, if you created your online account before a certain date in 2017, you are eligible for electronic correspondence. Login to your FL Bar account and click on Applicant Portal, it will have your clearance status there. Just trying to ascertain why mine changed so suddenly.

Yeah it says Application Cleared on my portal account. Now I'm scared I didn't pass yet again.

How do you access this portal? I did my clearance back in 2016. I didnt think we had accounts with the fl bar? I am confused. How do i access this?

Does the new clearance update have anything to do with the MPRE maybe? Did any of you just retake it?