Inconsistencies and inaccuracies in your New York Bar character and fitness questionnaire or elsewhere in your NY Bar application can derail your admission pursuits. New York Ethics Attorney David A. Lewis can help you amend your NY Bar application and prove your commitment to honesty and integrity. Connect with David for your confidential strategy session and confidently amend your NY Bar application for the best chance of success.
MISTAKES HAPPEN. CORRECT THEM WITH CONFIDENCE.
Whether you’ve omitted information from your application or have been asked by the Character and Fitness Committee to explain a discrepancy, the stakes are high. You need strategic guidance from a seasoned bar admissions attorney familiar with the expectations and standards of the governing bar admissions authorities.
How you handle amending your New York State Bar application now could say more about your character and fitness to practice law than any past mistake, so request your strategy session now to navigate this situation with a trusted advocate.
NY Bar Application Services
With David’s guidance, revise your application to accurately and positively represent your character and fitness to practice law and satisfy admission application requirements in New York.
Minimized Damage
By prioritizing honesty and de-escalation, David employs a measured approach to strategically mitigate the most severe repercussions and arrive at the most positive resolution possible.
Confidential Counsel
Your NY Bar application concerns are completely confidential and handled with the utmost care and professionalism. Your sensitive information is in responsible hands.
Targeted Guidance
David’s extensive knowledge of ethics law and years of experience with bar admissions matters make him the perfect ally and leader for valuable help with your bar application.
David A. Lewis
No one is immune to mistakes, but everyone deserves a chance to correct them.
Your NY Bar application can make or break your career. If you’ve submitted erroneous information or failed to produce an answer in your character and fitness questionnaire, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s over. I can help you amend your application and seek the best possible outcome.
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An Award-Winning New York Ethics 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
Get Back on Track
Why hire David instead of just hoping for the best?
There is no substitute for informed advice and no excuse for “winging it.”
Your NY Bar application is your primary opportunity to prove you belong in the practice of law, so you need to be accurate, forthcoming, and strategic with your responses. With such little room for error in your application, your future career deserves an investment in getting it done right. David can offer personalized guidance for your unique situation and apply real-world experience to increase your odds of success.
Whether you need to amend your New York Bar application, prepare to face the Character and Fitness Committee, or navigate ethical matters in your legal career, this is where peace of mind is found. For bar application help and legal ethics advice, call David A. Lewis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I obligated to amend my bar admission application?
Yes, you’re expected to submit a complete and accurate application. New York’s character and fitness questionnaire rules require you to fix any big mistake or missing detail on your application (or anywhere else) before or during the bar admissions process. Ignoring an inaccuracy can lead to follow-up questions, a full investigation, or even denial of admission.
How do I amend my New York State Bar application for admission?
You can file a notarized correction or supplemental statement with the Character & Fitness Committee that first reviewed your file. But because the stakes are so high, it makes sense to talk to a bar admissions attorney before taking any action. You want to do this right and do it only once! An experienced attorney will look over what you’ve already disclosed, craft the right language to fix any gaps, and potentially suggest documents, like court records or character letters, to back you up.
What happens if I only hope it never gets noticed?
Other than being in breach of your legal obligations, hoping for the best is a serious gamble. Committees check many resources, including, but not limited to, law school records, court databases, and legal backgrounds. If something you didn’t disclose pops up later—say, an old arrest or a school sanction—the Committee may see it as intentional dishonesty. That can trigger serious consequences, from extra questions to an outright rejection of your New York Bar application. Be proactive and amend it while you have time.
If I don’t get it right, do I have to worry about consequences later in my career?
Mistakes don’t always stay buried. If you’re already admitted and word gets out that you left something off your New York Bar character and fitness application, you could face an investigation by the Attorney Grievance Committee. There are numerous examples of lawyers who faced these circumstances and ended up with a suspension or worse. Do everything you can to avoid damage to your license and reputation. Amending the New York Bar application now is the best way to avoid headaches down the road.
Am I going to get disciplined by my law school?
It depends on your school’s honor code and how serious the omission was. If your law school learns you left out or misrepresented something to them in your law school application, they may launch their own review and impose sanctions.
Can I mitigate or prevent the worst consequences by amending my NY Bar application?
Being transparent and timely can save your career. Character & Fitness Committees and courts look much more favorably on applicants who show candor, take responsibility, and demonstrate steps taken to correct past mistakes. Getting professional bar application help ensures your story is clear, honest, and framed in the best way possible. Sometimes, how you go about this process can make a more powerful statement than the fact of any original mistake.
What are the benefits of getting advice from an ethics lawyer who has my sole interests in mind?
An ethics attorney who focuses exclusively on your NY Bar application amendment can give you tailored, confidential counsel without any conflicts or divided loyalties. They would understand how committees interpret disclosures, what details matter most in New York Bar character and fitness applications, and which supporting materials are most likely to strengthen your case. You can rest assured that any sensitive issues discussed will remain between you and your lawyer. They can also help you avoid the unseen landmines that you may not have previously considered.
