Pennsylvania C&F Forum

[caveman2]

Can anyone share any personal stories about C&F limbo in Pennsylvania? I passed the bar but have not cleared C&F yet; my score envelope said my investigation was still pending. I called Tracy, my C&F investigator lady, and she said my file had been bumped to the "next level" where they are essentially deciding if I'm going to have to have a hearing or not. I asked how long it would take to hear from them about that, and she said it could be "awhile." I said how long is awhile, a couple of months? She said "Could be, there's just no way to know." Scores were released April 8, so I'm pushing two months now waiting to hear about this. Has anyone been in this similar situation or known someone who has? PLEASE share any knowledge you have about this process and how long it takes, and in what situations this "next level" of C&F people require you to have or not have a hearing. I'm just getting so frustrated and depressed with the waiting and not knowing anything or what I should expect. I've had to take a stupid part time cashier job in the meantime to get by, and I'm feeling really low about my life right now.

[psu2016]

Sorry I don' t have better news, but a friend of mine got caught in PA CF limbo and wasn't barred until October of the next year (i.e. passed in July 2014, barred October 2015).

[caveman2]

Sorry I don' t have better news, but a friend of mine got caught in PA CF limbo and wasn't barred until October of the next year (i.e. passed in July 2014, barred October 2015).

I'm assuming your friend ended up having a hearing?

[psu2016]

Yeah, he did. And it took a while, but I am not sure of the entire timeline. All I know is he was waiting tables for over a year, extremely unhappy about, never found a job, and left the state to go to something not relevant to law after all that.

[caveman2]

Yeah, he did. And it took a while, but I am not sure of the entire timeline. All I know is he was waiting tables for over a year, extremely unhappy about, never found a job, and left the state to go to something not relevant to law after all that.

What was his C&F issue, if you can share that?

[kellyfrost]

Can anyone share any personal stories about C&F limbo in Pennsylvania? I passed the bar but have not cleared C&F yet; my score envelope said my investigation was still pending. I called Tracy, my C&F investigator lady, and she said my file had been bumped to the "next level" where they are essentially deciding if I'm going to have to have a hearing or not. I asked how long it would take to hear from them about that, and she said it could be "awhile." I said how long is awhile, a couple of months? She said "Could be, there's just no way to know." Scores were released April 8, so I'm pushing two months now waiting to hear about this. Has anyone been in this similar situation or known someone who has? PLEASE share any knowledge you have about this process and how long it takes, and in what situations this "next level" of C&F people require you to have or not have a hearing. I'm just getting so frustrated and depressed with the waiting and not knowing anything or what I should expect. I've had to take a stupid part time cashier job in the meantime to get by, and I'm feeling really low about my life right now.

Are you more worried about the timeframe and how long it will take, or are you worried that your "issue" will keep you from being barred?

[caveman2]

Can anyone share any personal stories about C&F limbo in Pennsylvania? I passed the bar but have not cleared C&F yet; my score envelope said my investigation was still pending. I called Tracy, my C&F investigator lady, and she said my file had been bumped to the "next level" where they are essentially deciding if I'm going to have to have a hearing or not. I asked how long it would take to hear from them about that, and she said it could be "awhile." I said how long is awhile, a couple of months? She said "Could be, there's just no way to know." Scores were released April 8, so I'm pushing two months now waiting to hear about this. Has anyone been in this similar situation or known someone who has? PLEASE share any knowledge you have about this process and how long it takes, and in what situations this "next level" of C&F people require you to have or not have a hearing. I'm just getting so frustrated and depressed with the waiting and not knowing anything or what I should expect. I've had to take a stupid part time cashier job in the meantime to get by, and I'm feeling really low about my life right now.

Are you more worried about the timeframe and how long it will take, or are you worried that your "issue" will keep you from being barred?

Both. I submitted a lot of good supplementary materials with my application, plus it's been over 4 years since my misbehavior, so I'm hopeful I won't end up having to have a hearing. But I'm concerned that even if that's the case, it's still taking them forever to clear me.

[kellyfrost]

I hope your situation is resolved and doesn't require a hearing. However, if it does, do you plan on hiring a "character and fitness" attorney to assist you with the process and any appeals?

If so, it might be a good idea to start searching for one and talking to one about your situation sooner rather than later.

There is a lot of info on here about Californa CF attorneys and the process. Not sure about PA.

[caveman2]

I hope your situation is resolved and doesn't require a hearing. However, if it does, do you plan on hiring a "character and fitness" attorney to assist you with the process and any appeals?

If so, it might be a good idea to start searching for one and talking to one about your situation sooner rather than later.

There is a lot of info on here about Californa CF attorneys and the process. Not sure about PA.

Yes, I am going to hire an attorney if necessary.

[MarkPALAW]

How did everything go for you? Are you barred in PA? If so, could you share what the experience was like if you needed a hearing?

[caveman2]

How did everything go for you? Are you barred in PA? If so, could you share what the experience was like if you needed a hearing?

Resurrecting this long dead thread just to give an ending to this story for posterity/helpfulness purposes.

I was notified I passed the bar exam in April 2016, and ended up having to attend a formal C&F hearing in September 2016. I didn't hear anything after until late November, when I was notified that I was approved and admitted to the bar. Biggest relief of my life.

For the hearing, I hired a C&F attorney located in Pittsburgh because he was highly esteemed but still fit with my budget (I was very poor). I had to recruit character witnesses, which was humiliating because then I had to explain to them what I did and why I needed them to testify. They were all cool about it, but it was still the most shame I ever felt in my life having to air my dirty laundry. I never want to feel that way again.

I had the option of choosing where I wanted to have the hearing (they have 3-4 location options, iirc). I was on the east side of the state, but chose to have the hearing in Pittsburgh so I wouldn't have to pay for my attorney to travel. One of my witnesses came with me and attended in person, while the rest were allowed to testify by phone. The hearing was held in a conference room at the bar association building with just one member of the disciplinary board present (I think 1-2 other members were phoned into the hearing). It was less intimidating than I had built up in my head, but still lots of nerves. The board member was very nice and seemed to display some sense of empathy when I was giving my statement. As the hearing went on, I was feeling pretty good about things. The whole thing lasted maybe 1.5 - 2 hours. And that was it.

Two months later, I got my magic letter.