Soreide Law Group receives many questions from applicants to the Florida Bar. Below you can find a few questions that may answer some of your bar hearing inquiries.

Q1: I was arrested (fill in any number) years ago and it was expunged. My criminal defense lawyer tells me there is no way anyone can find out, it’s like it never happened, if I don’t disclose will the Bar find out?

A: The answer is YES, they will find out. Setting aside the ridiculous nature of the question, assume you get caught the consequences may be irreparable. Think logically for a second and ask yourself what you think the Bar is more concerned with: a) your silly juvenile crime from years back, or b) as someone who now has been through law school and is seeking a law license decided to actively conceal material information from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

Q2: I have a lot of debts and unpaid bills what can I do about it and how will the Florida Board of Bar Examiners react?

A: Don’t have a “today problem” is what I tell all my Applicants. After reviewing the debts most of my clients, most are so small and inconsequential i.e. unpaid water bill $30 just pay it off. If you can’t afford to pay off a debt negotiate a lesser payment or enter into a payment plan. The Board of Bar Examiners just wants to see that you are not turning your back on your creditors. It may feel like the Board is acting as a debt collection service but you are asking for a license that will allow you to open up and manage clients funds through a trust account. That is a huge responsibility and if you can’t manage your own finances the Board will not want you managing your clients.

Q3: If the investigative hearing doesn’t go well what happens next?

First and foremost make sure you prepare for the investigative hearing as if it is the formal hearing and do everything you can to impress. Nothing wrong with being over prepared for the investigative hearing because if they don’t admit you they typically advance you to a formal hearing which is a full blown trial with a Board prosecutor making arguments to keep you out of the Bar. There are in some limited circumstances proposed settlements that in lieu of filing specifications the Board may ask you for community service hours or a lengthy brief. My advice is do all that in advance to not further delay the process and impress on the Board that you take this process seriously and are willing to do whatever it takes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Nothing in this post should be construed as legal advice. If you want legal advice call (954) 760-6552.

Lars Soreide, Esq.