Illinois C&F Concerns Forum

[Korsona1]

Well, I am really concerned for Character and Fitness. I passed the July 2018 bar exam. I just passed the MPRE. Yes I know I did it backwards.

I had two prior arrests which had 0 convictions. Both dismissed.

The big concern is my credit.

I had one default judgment two years ago which I’m settling now. I didn’t know about the default this whole time since I moved states. I had a bunch of things in my credit which I’ve handled.

I had one collection. Paid. 2 charge offs which have been paid. 2 credit inaccuracies which are being fixed. I still have two outstanding items which total $5,000 dollars to be paid.

I’m really concerned about C&F. I’ve tried paying everything back the last year and I’ve been on top of my credit but I have a bad feeling they will refer me out for an interview.

Has anyone gone through one of these? Can anyone offer some advice?

Am I just going to be flat out denied?

[sleeplessindc]

Has the C&F committee in fact asked for any follow-up from you, including a formal interview or hearing? If not, then the only thing that a C&F lawyer can advise you on is what, if any, amendments to your application you can/should submit now -- right?

If you had already disclosed your full financial situation, then it sounds like the most substantive amendment you can make is one showing that all outstanding items have been paid and resolved. (Plus maybe a showing that you've instituted changes to prevent similar problems in the future, such as enrollment in a credit monitoring service or a commitment to monitor your finances regularly. Like how were you not aware of an outstanding debt that had the potential to enter into default.)

That might mean any large sum of money you have available now is better spent on clearing the outstanding items, rather than paying an attorney to tell you to clear the outstanding items and send in an amendment to potentially preempt the C&F committee from escalating. But if the C&F committee escalates, then yeah, you should probably consult an actual C&F attorney. (I am not one.) Just my two cents -- and it's fair for others here to disagree.

By the way, were those arrests for anything involving fraud or dishonesty? If yes, they might alone warrant asking a C&F attorney to review what you already submitted and what you should be doing now (whether or not the C&F committee has escalated since your submission).

[Smiddywesson]

It sounds like you are digging your way out of your financial difficulties. If they have the same impression, you will be fine. If they think its severe, they may delay your approval. We can't read the future, but they see a LOT of this kind of stuff, and your situation is improving and wasn't very serious. It's the waiting that's painful, I know. My guess is you will be fine.

PS: Read all the posts you can regarding these matters and you'll get a clearer picture.

[criminaltheory]

You will be fine.

I survived an Illinois C&F interview. My interview was with an older, private firm attorney. Looked at my records, my explanation, we talked a little about it, and mostly he said how important it was to be ethical, not become an alcoholic, and not to steal client funds. Take it seriously, show them you're taking it seriously. Demonstrate that you're a mature adult and moved beyond whatever it was that happened.

I'm not your attorney, but you probably wouldn't need to consult with an attorney unless the case gets escalated above the initial interview to a panel C&F interview [even then, folks generally told me not to unless it went past the panel interview]; from what you've said, I can't imagine that will happen. Talk with an administrator at your school if you need to calm down.

[sleeplessindc]

You will be fine.

I survived an Illinois C&F interview. My interview was with an older, private firm attorney. Looked at my records, my explanation, we talked a little about it, and mostly he said how important it was to be ethical, not become an alcoholic, and not to steal client funds. Take it seriously, show them you're taking it seriously. Demonstrate that you're a mature adult and moved beyond whatever it was that happened.

I'm not your attorney, but you probably wouldn't need to consult with an attorney unless the case gets escalated above the initial interview to a panel C&F interview [even then, folks generally told me not to unless it went past the panel interview]; from what you've said, I can't imagine that will happen. Talk with an administrator at your school if you need to calm down.

agree with this - and I'll add that if the committee escalates, the OP can first ask a dean at his law school for feedback (his law school likely has experienced staff who advise graduating students on matters like this, for free).