Admissions Application The Louisiana Bar Admissions Application Process Prepared by: The Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 310 Metairie, LA 70002 504-830-5463 WWW.LASCBA.ORG

The Law The rule governing the bar admissions process is Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XVII. The first step in seeking admission in any jurisdiction is to read and follow the rule governing bar admissions. 1

Requisites for Admission 18 years of age Citizen, permanent resident or authorized to work in the U. S. Of sound mind, good moral character and fitness Graduate of an ABA accredited law school or foreign equivalent Satisfactorily complete examination Successfully pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a scaled score of 80 or higher. 2

Law Student Registration Program Available to 2nd year law students in the fall semester. Students who attend law school in Louisiana “shall participate in the Law Student Registration Program.” A $300 penalty applies for failing to register.

Purpose Law Student Registration Program benefits a student by allowing him/her to get started early with the C&F screening process. If any issues that require further inquiry arise, the applicant may have time to address and resolve these matters prior to the time he/she applies to sit for the bar examination. Applicants who wait until the third year to start the process may be required to address a C&F inquiry while applying to sit and preparing for the bar examination. In addition, admission may be delayed.

Law Student Registration: Registration period: August 1 through October 1. Forms/Fees: Law Student Registration Form: should be completed and forwarded directly to the Committee on Bar admissions in Metairie. $125 fee payable to Committee on Bar Admissions. The NCBE Request for Preparation of Character Report: should be electronically submitted to the NCBE along with the required fee to the NCBE fee schedule (eff. 07/01/18). Specific forms will be required to print, sign, notarize and submit to the Committee on Bar Admissions along with the law student registration form.

To Apply as a Law Student Visit the Committee on Bar Admissions webpage, www.Lascba.org to create an account and profile Complete all information regarding your profile (law school, mailing address, telephone number) Click on the Application Status tab, you should see a blue button indicating “start law student registration”. After entering all application information, click on “Submit online law student registration” Be sure to follow the next steps to complete your law student registration. 6

“Received by” Rule XVII requires that original hard copies of all registration forms, applications, requests for character reports be: “RE CEIVED BY” (not postm ar ked) Committee on Bar Admissions 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 310 Metairie, LA 70002 Applications may be hand delivered to the Committee offices between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Character and Fitness The purpose of the character and fitness screening process is set forth in La. Sup. Ct. Rule XVII, Sec. 5: . . . to assure the protection of the public and to safeguard the administration of justice. The files of applicants and the internal proceedings of the Committee shall be kept confidential. La. Sup. Ct. Rule XVII, Sec. 1(G). 8

Good Moral Character and Fitness; Definitions “Good moral character" includes, but is not limited to, the qualities of honesty, fairness, candor, trustworthiness, observances of fiduciary responsibility and of the laws of the State of Louisiana and of the United States of America, and a respect for the rights of other persons. “Fitness" includes, but is not limited to, the mental or emotional suitability of the applicant to practice law in this state. 9

C&F Investigation As part of the screening process, applicants must submit an electronic Request for Preparation of Character Report (aka Character and Fitness Application) to the NCBE (National Conference of Bar Examiners). The NCBE conducts the initial investigation based on responses provided by an applicant on his/her C&F Application. Bar Exam Applicants are required to complete a criminal background check which includes submission of fingerprints to the Louisiana State Police. The Committee may conduct additional investigation. 10

Committee Determination An applicant bears the burden of proving the requisite character and fitness. The Committee makes a determination as to whether an applicant has shown the requisite character and fitness for admission. 11

Failure to Meet Requirements If the applicant fails to establish the requisite character and fitness, the Committee will not certify the applicant to the Court for admission. The Committee will notify the applicant. The applicant may seek relief from the Court. The Court may appoint a Commissioner to conduct a hearing and make a recommendation or it may issue an immediate ruling. 12

Factors and Considerations Arrests or criminal charges; Academic, employment, professional, military or criminal misconduct; Abuse of the legal process or failure to comply with legal obligations; Neglect of financial responsibilities; Fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepresentation; See La. Sup. Ct. Rule XVII, Sec. 5(E), Factors and Considerations

Factors and Considerations Evidence of substance misuse, abuse or dependency. Evidence of mental or emotional instability is also a factor the Committee may consider when determining if the applicant possesses the requisite fitness to practice law. See La. Sup. Ct. Rule XVII, Sec. 5(E)(15), Factors and Considerations.

Rehabilitation Factors which may be considered in assigning weight and significance given to prior conduct: Applicant’s age, amount of time elapsed since conduct, reliability of information Seriousness, factors underlying conduct and cumulative effect Applicant’s positive social contributions since conduct, candor and cooperation in the admissions process and evidence of rehabilitation

Common Areas of Concern Criminal conduct (including DWI’s) Financial irresponsibility (excessive, unaddressed debt) Conduct or behavior related to impairments which call into question current fitness: substance abuse, alcohol abuse, mental, emotional or nervous disorders or conditions.

Candor, Cooperation and Duty to Keep Information Current Candor [La. Sup. Ct. Rul XVII, Sec. 4(G)]. Applicants shall provide complete and candid responses to all inquiries, whether on the Bar Examination Application, the NCBE Request for Preparation of a Character Report or as part of any bar admissions inquiry, investigation, or proceeding. Cooperation [La. Sup. Ct. Rule XVII, Sec. 5(I)]. An applicant who fails to cooperate in the investigation may be denied admission due to his/her lack of cooperation. Duty to Keep Application Current [La. Sup. Ct. Rule XVII, Sec. 4(H)]. Until admitted to the Bar, an applicant is under a continuing obligation to keep his/her application current.

Bar Examination Application: Law Student Registrants When it is time for a Law Student Registrant to apply to sit for the bar examination, he/she must file: A Bar Examination Application with the Committee in Metairie, Louisiana. (This is a different form that the Law Student Registration form!) and Submit an online Supplemental Request for Preparation of Character report to the NCBE and print all specific forms which are to be sent to the Committee along with your bar examination application. 18

Applying for the Bar Examination Visit the Committee on Bar Admissions webpage, www.Lascba.org to access your individual applicant portal Any information that may have changed should be updated by accessing “My Profile” in your individual portal. Changes to names can only be changed by Committee staff. Please call or email the staff for instructions to make these changes. Click on “Application Status” Click on “Take the Bar Exam Part I: Nine Part Essay Exam” Click on the blue button labeled “View/Print Application” and follow all instructions provided. You must also complete and electronically submit a supplemental NCBE Request for the Preparation of a Character Report by the filing deadlines and also submit specific NCBE forms along with your bar examination application. 19

Fees The fee schedule is set forth in LA Sup. Ct. Rule XVII, Appendix: Law Student Registration Fee - $125. Bar Examination Application Fee - $750 for first-time applicants who participated in the Law Student Registration program. Bar Examination Application fee - $875 for all other applicants. Late Law Student Application Fee bar applicants who were enrolled in one of the ABA accredited law schools in this state, and who could have, but did not, participate in the Law Student Registration Program - $300. Late Filing Fee - $750. Incomplete Application Administrative Fee - $350 Any and all fees assessed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Laptop fees - $125 (payable to approved vendor upon receipt of approval to sit for examination).

NCBE C&F Fee Schedule (eff. 07/01/18) I: LAW STUDENT REGISTRANT II: FIRST BAR ADMISSION OR III: ATTORNEY/BAR ADMISSION IV: FOREIGN V(b): SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT * $250 $355 $500 $875 $105 *This report is for the same jurisdiction for which NCBE prepared the original Law Student Registrant report.

Communication The Committee may communicate with applicants via U. S. mail, e-mail message or telephone. Applicants must keep e-mail addresses, mailing addresses and telephone number(s) current with the Committee. Address, email or telephone changes should be made by accessing the individual applicant portal on the Committee’s website. For important information and updates, please visit www.Lascba.org

Contact the Committee Any questions you may have regarding the application and testing process, contact Denise Leeper at DLeeper@Lascba.org, Rhonda Lorig at RLorig@Lascba.org or Robyn Pattison at RPattison@Lascba.org. Any questions you may have regarding the character and fitness process, contact Monique Drake at MDrake@Lascba.org or Megan O’Cain at MOcain@lascba.org.