Character and Fitness Attorney Services
The character and fitness portion of the New York Bar Examination poses a challenge for many aspiring lawyers, but help is available. New York Ethics Attorney David A. Lewis has a concentrated focus on bar admissions and offers personalized guidance for character and fitness concerns. Connect with David A. Lewis now to discuss your unique situation and navigate your New York application and character and fitness interview.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR BAR ADMISSIONS APPLICATION
Schedule an In-Depth Consultation with David
"You really did save my life in more ways than you will ever know. Without you, I do not know where I would have ended up. Thank you for all of your help."
- Former Client - Admitted in New York State, First Department
Consultations typically last one hour, during which you have the opportunity to engage in a confidential privileged discussion.
- Review your New York Bar Character and Fitness application together
- Disclose any past misconduct or other circumstances you feel might threaten your NY Bar admission
- Break down any stressors about the admissions process
- Outline a strategic plan
- Receive informed guidance from a seasoned New York character and fitness attorney
- Decide if you’re a good fit for continued services
AFTER YOU SUBMIT YOUR BAR ADMISSIONS APPLICATION
"From the first time I spoke with you, I knew you were incredibly capable and understanding. And I am glad we met in person. I felt incredibly comfortable with you, despite airing my dirty laundry. Thank you. I felt at ease having your guidance."
- Former Client - Admitted in New York State, Second Department
Prepare for Your Character and Fitness Interview
The work isn’t over when you submit your application. Trust a New York character and fitness attorney to help you handle follow-up questions and complete a successful interview in front of the New York Bar Character and Fitness Committee.
Your New York Bar Character and Fitness application may produce follow-up questions and concerns. David can help you stay on track and field any subsequent requests for information.
There’s no such thing as a second chance to make a first impression. Participate in a mock interview and carefully prepare your responses.
Be prepared in case of a bar admissions hearing. Formal proceedings are complex and rigorous. A character and fitness attorney can help if you need to submit evidence and rely on exhibits and witness testimony to prove you possess the requisite character and fitness to practice law.
NY Bar Admissions Attorney Services
Armed with a strategic plan and clarity about your situation, together you and David will honestly answer every question and navigate every detail of your New York Bar Admission application.
Fierce Advocacy
David offers personalized attention and works diligently to provide a unique perspective on your situation and how the New York Character and Fitness Committee will perceive you based on working with thousands of candidates.
Confidential Counsel
Your sensitive information is confidential. You have the freedom to discuss even the most uncomfortable circumstances with David with the benefit of attorney-client privilege. Transparency is key for successful interviews.
Targeted Guidance
David provides an informed approach with personalized advice to address your unique circumstances and concerns, enabling you to confidently and expertly navigate all aspects of the New York Bar Character and Fitness review process.
Confidently Navigate Character & Fitness for NY Bar Admission
Navigating this process takes more than just good intentions—it requires a strategic plan. A seasoned character and fitness attorney can help. David is your fiercest advocate and dedicated ally.
Everyone has a history.
To err is human, but how you handle and disclose your past mistakes can ultimately impact your chances of admission.
David takes a holistic approach to your application.
Ultimately, you need to focus on the “big picture.” An experienced character and fitness attorney can provide perspective and put your situation into realistic context. David can:
- Help you craft a compelling and honest disclosure strategy
- Provide insight into how past issues may impact your application
- Offer guidance to mitigate concerns and improve your chances of NY Bar admission
Your application isn’t just about a single event—it’s about your collective professional and personal growth.
With that important big picture in mind, David offers:
- An honest assessment of where you stand
- Realistic recommendations to strengthen your case
- A commitment to integrity—because the high road is the only road
It’s one thing to say you’re a good person, but another to prove it.
Join more than a thousand satisfied clients and seek admission success with help from New York character and fitness attorney David A. Lewis.
You’re in Good Hands
NY Character and Fitness Attorney David A. Lewis
My Practice
Character & fitness advice for bar admission candidates is a primary focus of my legal ethics practice.
My Simple Philosophy
Prevention and mitigation are powerful tools.
My Approach
Prioritizing honesty and integrity, I thoroughly examine and proactively address even the most sensitive issues in a candidate’s past while serving as a fierce advocate.
Featured In
An Award-Winning Character & Fitness Attorney
Rated 4.8 out of 5 Stars by Peers on Martindale-Hubbell
Former Chair of the Professional Responsibility Committee
Rated by Super Lawyers Magazine for Over a Decade
Superb Rating of 10 on Avvo
Invest in Your Legal Future
Why hire David instead of taking your chances?
As one of New York’s top bar admissions and character and fitness lawyers, David has served on the committees that shape attorney ethics standards. With extensive real-world experience and a proven track record of guiding aspiring lawyers into law school, his insights can be the deciding factor in your admission success.
Read more about David’s credentials and experience and get in touch today.
You Should Know
Membership in the bar is a privilege burdened with conditions...a fair private and professional character is one of them... compliance with that condition is essential at the moment of admission, but it is equally essential afterward."
— Judge Benjamin N. Cardozo
In New York, the Appellate Division Committees on Character and Fitness in each Judicial Department review applicants’ past conduct to evaluate their “character and fitness to practice law.”
Some have described the New York Bar Character and Fitness process as an endeavor to determine if the applicant is honest, trustworthy, diligent, and reliable. Note that any conduct that raises a question about an applicant’s character or fitness can lead a committee to investigate further.
All applicants for admission must receive a certification from the applicable committee that the applicant possesses the necessary character requirements and fitness to practice law.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NY Bar Admissions Process
What kinds of issues can impact my New York Character and Fitness review?
Any type of unlawful conduct could trigger further scrutiny.
The New York Bar takes the following into consideration:
- Criminal history
- Academic dishonesty or misconduct
- Financial irresponsibility like unpaid debts, tax issues, and bankruptcies
- Substance abuse or untreated mental health issues
- Court order violations (ex. child support or restraining orders)
- Previous law school or employment infractions
- Misrepresentation or failure to disclose information
Being denied bar admission due to failing the character and fitness process in New York is not extremely common, but a New York character and fitness attorney can assess your risk level. Whether or not you see your concern listed above, contact David to discuss your unique case.
Why hire a character and fitness attorney for NY Bar admissions?
When your career and professional standing are on the line, an experienced lawyer recognized in the field of legal ethics can help you navigate the entire process and aggressively advocate on your behalf.
David has successfully done so on behalf of numerous clients over many years. For over a decade, he was periodically called upon to serve as a speaker and legal ethics panelist for the required mandatory CLE training program for newly admitted lawyers offered by the Character and Fitness Committee in the First Department.
Contact David for your confidential consultation and find out if his services are right for you.
When in the process should I contact a character and fitness lawyer?
As soon as possible
Even when a bar admission candidate has made regrettable mistakes, potential obstacles can often be mitigated by taking prompt remedial action. As your New York Bar character and fitness attorney, I can work with you to assist in developing a plan of action.
Demonstrating credibility through taking proactive steps that reveal a sincere dedication to candor and humility can be a critical component of your case. Give yourself the best possible chance to successfully navigate the character and fitness process by taking the time to explore what options are available to you. Call now for a confidential consultation.
Can you share some examples of past successful character and fitness representations?
While prior results cannot guarantee a future outcome, the following are examples of the types of obstacles that my clients have overcome to be successfully admitted to practice law as a New York Bar member.
- Applicants with various prior criminal arrests and convictions, including a felony conviction in the United States.
- Applicants with a range of Title IX school disciplinary allegations, formal charges, and findings of responsibility.
- Applicants with past educational discipline, including allegations of plagiarism, dishonesty, harassment, theft, and other misconduct.
- Applicants who needed to amend their law school applications due to omissions or misrepresentations.
- Applicants that thoughtfully disclosed prior misconduct that otherwise would likely never have been discovered but for their own truthful disclosure (the disclosures were both consistent with their obligations and one way of proactively demonstrating the requisite character and fitness for the New York Bar). They also now sleep much better.
How do I know who to trust?
Most clients contact David for character and fitness attorney services based solely on what they have learned about his work or credentials, but David takes great pride in quickly establishing a relationship of trust with his clients and considers it an honor to have become a trusted advisor to so many. Talking about sensitive, embarrassing, or painful matters demands you find someone with both experience and compassion. You will find that here, so do not hesitate to contact David. A Lewis for any anxieties about being denied admission to the New York Bar for character and fitness concerns.
What should I expect in a character and fitness interview?
Be prepared to discuss past misconduct, financial history, professional discipline, and other sensitive matters in front of a panel. A well-prepared, honest approach is essential, and David can help you prepare a detailed strategy.
How can I prepare for my NY Bar character and fitness interview?
A character and fitness attorney can help you prepare, from reviewing and completing your application to navigating requests for further information and conducting mock interviews. No matter where you are in the process, contact David A. Lewis now for experienced guidance.
What if I am required to attend a formal hearing?
If your case is serious enough to require a formal hearing, David can help you gather and present evidence, exhibits, and testimony as needed. An experienced ethics attorney can represent you as a dedicated advocate with a strong defense.
