I have a NY Character and Fitness Interview on Monday and I'm scared to death Forum

[L_William_W]

I'm sure this question has been asked a million times, but what happens in a character and fitness interview? And what happens if you don't give satisfactory answers? Do they say, "You passed the bar and spent a shitload of money on law school and bar prep, but you're not a worthy attorney so fuck off?"

[ndbigdave]

I'm sure this question has been asked a million times, but what happens in a character and fitness interview? And what happens if you don't give satisfactory answers? Do they say, "You passed the bar and spent a shitload of money on law school and bar prep, but you're not a worthy attorney so fuck off?"

I had one in Illinois so I cannot speak directly to the New York interview - but I cannot imagine that they are night and day different.

For me, it lasted maybe 30 minutes. We worked through the issues that I expected them to have (I had gotten in trouble when I was 20 years old) and had some late bills/payments.

From speaking to attorneys who specialized in C&F and knew how the interview would go, they basically said: "Relax, go in and explain what happened, admit your fault in it, accept your fault and then explain why it was a one-time occurrence, that you learned from it and that the issue doesn't otherwise represent your personality and character."

THough I was nervous as hell it was generally laid back, my interviewer was not "Mr. Personality" so it would tough to read if he liked me and otherwise liked my answers but I was admitted without further follow-up or issue.

From speaking to other people who went through the process, many felt that absent some major issues or new developments, the interview was more like a "first warning" that the bar is aware that we didn't have a perfectly clean record and to impress upon us that such past issues should not be repeated.

As long as you don't go in as an asshole, blame everyone else and make excuses there really should be nothing to flag in your file. Admit faults, be contrite, explain how you learned/changed and you should be fine.

[encore1101]

From my experience, it's usually an opportunity for the attorney to tell a war story or two, tell you to behave, then pass you. Unless you have something really inappropriate in your history, you should be fine.

[FinallyPassedTheBar]

In NY, everyone seeking admittance has to go through that interview. So for many, it is just a formality unless there is something that "sticks out" in your history.

But in CA, if you get called for an interview, that means the bar has some suspicion of bad/questionable character.

[rustyburger2]

For me, it lasted maybe 30 minutes. We worked through the issues that I expected them to have (I had gotten in trouble when I was 20 years old) and had some late bills/payments.

What exactly do you mean by late bills? I didn't know that was a thing that could come up – are you talking about internet bills or do you mean things that went to collections and affected your credit score?

[northwood]

When I took my character and fitness interview for new you’re, it was a quick overview about my application ( no issues) and a remark about how expensive law school is, then we talked about what I wanted to do with my career, what he wanted to do and how life can totally change those plans( wanted to do one area of law now does the complete opposite) so be flexible.

A caveat: if you have an issue on your record criminal conviction or something major, then be prepared to discuss it, but remember if you got to the interview stage the character and fitness committee has already seen your application.

[ndbigdave]

For me, it lasted maybe 30 minutes. We worked through the issues that I expected them to have (I had gotten in trouble when I was 20 years old) and had some late bills/payments.

What exactly do you mean by late bills? I didn't know that was a thing that could come up – are you talking about internet bills or do you mean things that went to collections and affected your credit score?

Sorry for the delay. We are talking about things that would have come up on your credit report - things that went to collections. In my case, I had them all paid off so it was a super quick part of the meeting and I don't think was ultimately an issue at all. For me, it was my indiscretion when I was 20 years old that I needed to further explain the situation and how I had grown and learned from it.

[philepistemer]

My NY interview took about 3-5 mins. Interviewer asked me where I was from, where I was working, said “It was nice talking to you” and it was over. I had a traffic ticket, but otherwise a clean record, so obviously that helps.