Date post: | 24-Jun-2015 |
Category: |
Education |
Upload: | stevenpinkert |
View: | 2,798 times |
Download: | 3 times |
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida1
NAVIGATING THE FLORIDA BAR APPLICATION
AVOID COMMON PITFALLS!
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida.2
TOP 5 ISSUES
CANDOR FELONIES (CONVICTION) MULTIPLE ARRESTS (DUI ETC.) DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE/ADDICTION FINANCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY MENTAL HEALTH HISTORY
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida3
DISCLOSE, DISCLOSE, DISCLOSE!!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CANDID? – BE COMPLETELY HONEST/TRUTHFUL– DISCLOSE EVERYTHING IN COMPLETE
DETAIL– DO NOT LEAVE OUT FACTS BECAUSE YOU
ARE EMBARRASSED OR WANT TO MAKE YOURSELF LOOK GOOD!
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida4
DISCLOSE, DISCLOSE, DISCLOSE!!
Ways to Avoid Candor Pitfalls– Do self background check
GET RECORDS BEFORE COMPLETING BAR APPLICATION!!
– Undergraduate records, court records, police records, employment history, credit report, medical records etc.
– DO NOT RUSH!!! Take your time to complete the bar application
accurately the first time Allow ample time for multiple reviews
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida5
DISCLOSE, DISCLOSE, DISCLOSE!!
Red Flags for Candor– Law School Application
Amend early Amend with complete disclosure
– Bar Application Be candid the first time Avoid multiple amendments
– Resumes– Prior Statements
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida6
FELONIES (CONVICTIONS)
Not Automatically Disqualifying It Depends…on:
– Crime/Offense– Remoteness of Conduct– Rehabilitation (community service)
Must Restore Civil Rights (check jurisdiction)
Must Disclose even if no conviction!!
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida.7
MULTIPLE ARRESTS/LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACTS
Zero is Best. Less is Better. Not Automatically Disqualifying It Depends…on:
– Number of arrests/law enforcement contacts– Nature of offense/law enforcement contact– Disposition/Resolution– Remoteness – Rehabilitation (community service)
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida8
DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE/ADDICTION
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM ADDRESS IT NOW!
RESOURCES:– Florida Lawyer’s Assistance (FLA)
www.fla-lap.org 800 282-8981 FLA Contract is a SERIOUS commitment – DO NOT ENTER
INTO IT LIGHTLY
– Rehabilitation – Evaluation
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida9
DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE/ADDICTION
Mitigating Factors– Evaluation and Diagnosis– Treatment– FLA Contract– Candid Disclosure– Limited Law Enforcement Consequences– TIME!!
Conditional Admission
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida10
FINANCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY
Lack of Wealth is NOT Disqualifying, but… Poor Financial Management may delay your
admission to the Florida Bar Red Flags for Financial Irresponsibility:
– Delinquent Debts– Bankruptcy– NSF (check or debit)– Failure to File Tax Returns
Quick Fix = BUDGET AND TIME!
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida.11
MENTAL HEALTH
Conditional Admission– Usually for specified length of time (2-5 years)– Strict Compliance with terms – Must Reside in FL– Must submit quarterly reports by mental health
professional – FLA Contract
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida12
TIPS!
Reading is Fundamental on Bar Application Don’t try to be a lawyer when answering Bar
Application Questions If you are unsure of how to answer a
question, select YES and explain in detail Review Application, COMPLETELY, at least
TWO times before executing Submit Application Early!!
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida13
TRICKY QUESTIONS
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida14
TRICKY QUESTIONS
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida15
MENTAL HEALTH
Not automatically disqualifying Test = Does it impair/impact ability to
practice law? Focus of Inquiry:
– Evaluation and Diagnosis– Medication– Mental Health History– Time
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida16
HEART OF CANDOR
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida17
PROCESS OF INVESTIGATION
Background Investigation – up to 9 months Request for Additional Information and/or
Documents Investigative Hearing
– Your chance to explain– Their chance to look you in the eye– May cause delay
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida18
PROCESS OF INVESTIGATION
Formal Hearing – Your burden to prove character and fitness by
clear and convincing evidence– Your character is on Trial– Delay of 9 months or more before actual hearing
date– Further delay depending on outcome of hearing
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida19
WORDS TO LIVE BY
MORE TIME NOW
MAY MEAN
LESS DELAY LATER!
CONTACT INFORMATION
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.
1500 SAN REMO AVENUE
SUITE 275
CORAL GABLES, FL 33146
305 670-9000
PINKERT & MARSH, P.A.305-670-9000 Miami, Florida20