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I took the DC bar in July and passed but still don’t have my character and fitness certificate
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 5:32 pm
by Anonymous User
Should I be concerned?? They have asked me to send my credit report twice, I really have no idea what to do and I’m afraid that I’m going to be fired. It is nerve wrecking because my classmates were sworn in last month....
Should I contact a character and fitness attorney??
Re: I took the DC bar in July and passed but still don’t have my character and fitness certificate
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 11:44 am
by rcharter1978
Anonymous User wrote:Should I be concerned?? They have asked me to send my credit report twice, I really have no idea what to do and I’m afraid that I’m going to be fired. It is nerve wrecking because my classmates were sworn in last month....
Should I contact a character and fitness attorney??
When did they ask for the second copy of the credit report and when is the last time you spoke to anyone at the bar association?
Re: I took the DC bar in July and passed but still don’t have my character and fitness certificate
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 12:33 pm
by Anonymous User
rcharter1978 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Should I be concerned?? They have asked me to send my credit report twice, I really have no idea what to do and I’m afraid that I’m going to be fired. It is nerve wrecking because my classmates were sworn in last month....
Should I contact a character and fitness attorney??
When did they ask for the second copy of the credit report and when is the last time you spoke to anyone at the bar association?
It’s been about a month since I’ve talked to anyone
Re: I took the DC bar in July and passed but still don’t have my character and fitness certificate
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 1:00 pm
by Anonymous User
You should just reach out to whoever is assigned to your file at NCBE. I was in a similar situation. I applied to waive in in January and was basically in the background check stage from then until I received approval in March the following year. Between January and June I think nothing happened (as in my file was not reviewed). Then I got a letter from the NCBE saying my employer didn't verify my employment and they asked me to ask my employer to complete the verification. So I gave NCBE the information again, but I changed jobs in July, so when the employer completed the verification they told NCBE I didn't work there. NCBE asked to verify my new employment, so they sent new forms to my new employer. Then silence until December when I finally reach out to NCBE and ask what's the hold up since I submitted everything. NCBE said they had finalized and approved my stuff in August and sent it to the DC bar already. So I try to check with DC, but they are closed because of the government shutdown. So I wait until March and I check with them and they're confused about why my file is still pending. I tell them NCBE already finalized my file and sent it to them in August. They tell me if I don't receive approval after 3 days I should call back. In three hours I receive an email telling me that I've been approved. Sometimes they just drop the ball. I recommend checking with NCBE first, and then DC bar. There shouldn't be a problem unless you actually do have C&F issues that you're concerned about. Then probably none of what I said applies.
Re: I took the DC bar in July and passed but still don’t have my character and fitness certificate
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:52 pm
by rcharter1978
Anonymous User wrote:rcharter1978 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Should I be concerned?? They have asked me to send my credit report twice, I really have no idea what to do and I’m afraid that I’m going to be fired. It is nerve wrecking because my classmates were sworn in last month....
Should I contact a character and fitness attorney??
When did they ask for the second copy of the credit report and when is the last time you spoke to anyone at the bar association?
It’s been about a month since I’ve talked to anyone
You should call. Even if you sent the second report in a month ago, it's not crazy to call
Re: I took the DC bar in July and passed but still don’t have my character and fitness certificate
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:01 am
by Anonymous User
rcharter1978 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:rcharter1978 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Should I be concerned?? They have asked me to send my credit report twice, I really have no idea what to do and I’m afraid that I’m going to be fired. It is nerve wrecking because my classmates were sworn in last month....
Should I contact a character and fitness attorney??
When did they ask for the second copy of the credit report and when is the last time you spoke to anyone at the bar association?
It’s been about a month since I’ve talked to anyone
You should call. Even if you sent the second report in a month ago, it's not crazy to call
I’ve called everyday this week and no one ever picks up the phone
Re: I took the DC bar in July and passed but still don’t have my character and fitness certificate
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:54 am
by rcharter1978
Anonymous User wrote:rcharter1978 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:rcharter1978 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Should I be concerned?? They have asked me to send my credit report twice, I really have no idea what to do and I’m afraid that I’m going to be fired. It is nerve wrecking because my classmates were sworn in last month....
Should I contact a character and fitness attorney??
When did they ask for the second copy of the credit report and when is the last time you spoke to anyone at the bar association?
It’s been about a month since I’ve talked to anyone
You should call. Even if you sent the second report in a month ago, it's not crazy to call
I’ve called everyday this week and no one ever picks up the phone
JFC. Off the top of my head, I'd give it maybe another week or two of calls. Then, if I were nearby I'd go to the office. I'd normally NEVER advocate for that level of intervention but if they can't even be bothered to pick up the phone I don't think they have any right to be annoyed when and if people show up.
You've gone through years of law school, you paid hundreds to take the bar exam and this is your future on the line. I have no idea why bar associations can't get it the fuck together when they are making money hand over fist. You pay for the exam, you pay yearly dues, you pay for the background check. None of it is cheap, yet they can't hire someone to pick up the fucking phone? GTFOH.
Don't go into the office upset, but I'm second hand annoyed on your behalf because why is it such a damn struggle? They shouldn't be so unresponsive that this is what you're potentially forced to do.
And yeah, you could assume they are doing their job but clearly you cannot assume a level of competence since you've had to send in the same document multiple times.
Re: I took the DC bar in July and passed but still don’t have my character and fitness certificate
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 10:50 pm
by QContinuum
Anonymous User wrote:I’m afraid that I’m going to be fired. It is nerve wrecking because my classmates were sworn in last month....
I'm sorry this is happening to you. When is your firm's deadline for getting sworn in? Have you kept the relevant HR person in the loop re: your application?
Definitely look to your firm's specific policy, but in general, if this is a traditional "BigLaw" shop, I wouldn't be too worried. Most big firms give folks who fail the July bar a second chance to pass in February (meaning admission in late spring at the earliest). The February bar literally just happened, so you aren't even close to being out of "rope" yet.