Bar Admissions

The character and fitness review is a mandatory component of bar admission in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners evaluates every applicant’s background to determine whether they have the character and fitness necessary to practice law. The Board reviews your application in detail and may request additional information or schedule an informal conference or formal hearing if your record raises concerns.

The review is not limited to criminal history. The Board considers a wide range of factors including academic discipline, employment history, financial responsibility, civil litigation history, and mental health or substance use treatment. None of these issues are necessarily “deal breakers” — but how you disclose and explain your history matters enormously.

Certain disclosures commonly lead to additional scrutiny from the Board of Law Examiners:

• Criminal arrests, charges, or convictions — even expunged records
• Academic discipline or dismissal from undergraduate or law school
• Prior bar admission denials in another jurisdiction
• Financial issues including bankruptcy, defaulted student loans, or significant unpaid debt
• Gaps in employment or academic history
• Mental health or substance abuse treatment history
• Termination from prior employment

Receiving a letter from the Board requesting additional information does not mean your application will be denied. It means the Board wants to understand your history more fully — and how you respond to that request is critical.

A character and fitness hearing is a formal proceeding before the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners. You have the right to be represented by counsel. The Board will review documents, ask detailed questions, and evaluate how you present yourself and your history. Ellen Brotman has represented applicants at character and fitness hearings and understands what the Board looks for — candor, accountability, and evidence of rehabilitation where applicable.

Attempting to navigate a character and fitness hearing without counsel is a significant risk. The decisions made at this stage can affect your ability to practice law in Pennsylvania and, through reciprocal processes, in other jurisdictions as well.

• Character and fitness hearing preparation and representation
• Application disclosure strategy and review
• Responding to Board of Law Examiners inquiries
• Prior academic or professional discipline issues
• Criminal history and background disclosure
• Financial responsibility and credit history concerns
• Mental health and substance abuse disclosures
• Reciprocal and foreign-trained attorney admissions