Facing the Klieg Lights: Understanding the "Good Moral Character"
Facing the Klieg Lights: Understanding the "Good Moral Character"
Facing the Klieg Lights: Understanding the "Good Moral Character"
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CLEMENSFINAL.DOC<br />
3/30/2007 12:51:01 PM<br />
302 AKRON LAW REVIEW [40:255<br />
Compulsive gambling may result in denial. 474 Even speaking publicly<br />
about betting on football games is dangerous. 475 Engaging in <strong>the</strong><br />
unauthorized practice of law and disregarding limitations during <strong>the</strong><br />
pendency of proceedings on an application for admission is unwise. 476<br />
No applicant should use <strong>the</strong> judicial processes in a way inconsistent with<br />
<strong>the</strong> standards expected of a lawyer. 477 Improper activity as a law clerk<br />
can result in denial. 478<br />
Failure to comply with business regulations and demonstrating<br />
unethical business practices can result in denial, particularly where<br />
settlement of shady pending business litigation only comes during <strong>the</strong><br />
bar application process. 479 Lying under oath about sexual orientation for<br />
a military discharge can result in denial. 480 Unethical activity as a<br />
student attorney in a clinic may provide grounds for denial. 481 Such<br />
activity can also provide grounds for “discipline after a law student<br />
becomes a lawyer.” 482 Finally, preaching hate and white supremacy can<br />
result in denial. 483<br />
IV. DEALING WITH POTENTIAL BAR ADMISSION ISSUES ONCE<br />
IDENTIFIED<br />
How should applicants deal with character admission problems?<br />
First, remember that <strong>the</strong> application process is not personal. An attorney<br />
has <strong>the</strong> responsibility to stand “as a shield . . . in defense of right and to<br />
ward off wrong.” 484 Because of lawyers’ obligations, <strong>the</strong> bar justifiably<br />
474. Blum, supra note 252, at § 4 (citing Layon v. N. D. State Bar Bd., 458 N.W.2d 501, 502<br />
(N.D. 1990)).<br />
475. Fla. Bar v. Levin, 570 So.2d 917 (Fla. 1990).<br />
476. 7 AM. JUR. 2D Attorneys at Law § 26 (2nd ed. 2006) (citing In re Monaco, 856 P.2d 311<br />
(Or. 1993)).<br />
477. Id. (citing In re Admission to Bar of Commonwealth, 392 N.E.2d 533 (Mass. 1979)); see<br />
also In re Converse, 602 N.W.2d 500 (Neb. 1999).<br />
478. Stepanian, supra note 13, at 73-75 (citing In re Bowen, 447 P.2d 658 (Nev. 1968)); see<br />
c.f. id. (citing In Re Courtney, 319 P.2d 991 (Ariz. 1957)).<br />
479. Blum, supra note 10, at § 14 (citing In re Appell, 359 A.2d 634 (N.H. 1976)).<br />
480. See Blum, supra note 241, at § 4 (citing In re Adams, 540 S.E.2d 609 (Ga. 2001)).<br />
481. Peter A. Joy and Robert R. Kuehn, Conflict Of Interest And Competency Issues In Law<br />
Clinic Practice, 9 CLINICAL L. REV. 493, 504 n.42 (2002).<br />
482. Id.<br />
483. Ma<strong>the</strong>w Stevenson, Book Note, Hate Vs. Hypocrisy: Matt Haleand The New Politics Of<br />
Bar Admissions, 63 MONT. L. REV. 419, 420-21 (2002); see also Richard L. Sloane, Book Note,<br />
Barbarian at <strong>the</strong> Gates: Revisiting <strong>the</strong> Case of Mat<strong>the</strong>w F. Hale to Reaffirm that Character and<br />
Fitness Evaluations Appropriately Preclude Racists from <strong>the</strong> Practice of Law, 15 GEO. J. LEGAL<br />
ETHICS 397 (2002).<br />
484. Schware v. Bd. of Bar Exam. Of State of N.M., 353 U.S. 232, 247 (1957) (Frankfurter, J.,<br />
concurring) (internal quotations omitted).