Tag Archive for: florida bar formal hearing

Investigative Hearings before the Florida Bar Examiners

A law student who feels they might be called for an investigative hearing should file his or her application for admission to the Bar as soon as possible.  The numbers of applicants who are being called for hearings is increasing.  Remember, third-year students will have their Bar admission delayed if these steps have to be taken after taking the Bar Exam.  

If you receive a letter requesting appearance at an investigative hearing, respond immediately to request the time and venue of the hearing, you may also at this time choose to consult with counsel.

Remember, your responses on the application for admission to your law school must conform with those on your application for admission to the Bar, and both must conform to what the Board of Bar Examiners will discover in their investigative process.

Some of the typical problem areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Failure to report any academic probation/suspension at another institution
  • Failure to report disciplinary measures taken at another institution, including, but not limited to any dorm warnings, sanctions imposed such as requirements to take a course, pay a fine, write a paper, etc.
  • Failure to report “minor” events such as minor in possession, underage drinking, open container violations, etc.
  • Failure to report traffic offenses where the actual paid fine was in excess of $200
  • Failure to report incidents that occurred after your original law school application was filed
  • Failure to report incidents that occurred in law school, including, but not limited to stadium events and any of the above that may have occurred in law school.

Soreide Law Group represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both investigative hearings and formal hearings in front of the Florida Bar. For more information about our services or to speak to an attorney please visit: www.floridabarhearing.com or call (888) 760-6552.

Investigative Hearings before the Florida Bar

If  you’ve been called for an Investigative Hearing before the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, these are some of the facts you should know. 

The hearings are held throughout the year, usually on Fridays and Saturdays and can last as little as 10 minutes, or can last over a hour.

There are many reasons why the Florida Board of Bar Examiners requests an Investigative Hearing. Some of them include, prior criminal arrests, non-disclosure issues on the Bar application and/or law school application, financial issues including taxes, child support, judgments, litigation issues, and any other questionable issues on your application.  There also may be other reasons the Board needs to speak to you after they have done their investigation.

Once you’ve been sent a notice to appear before the Board, there are many things to take into consideration when preparing.

You will usually receive a choice of three different hearing dates.  Make sure you are well prepared before going into the hearing.  Do not choose the first date to “get it out of the way.”  Only choose the date that you feel you are ready for, because if you don’t do it right the first time at the Investigative Hearing it could result in a future Formal Hearing.  Prepare yourself for the hearing.  Make sure you have gone over your facts and issues and have prepared yourself for any questions that may come your way.  Make sure you are going in with the proper attitude and professional mannerisms.

Do not play the blame game.  This is very serious. When you are called in front of the Board you must take it seriously and take responsibility for your past.  Do not blame others.  It is a priviledge to be admitted to the bar, not a right.

Always make sure what you say on your Bar Application is the truth.  You don’t want to hear from the Board, “That’s not what was on your Bar Application.”

If you have been called for an Investigative Hearing and you are an attorney from another state with discipline issues, let the Board know what you did, how it violated Florida rules, and why you want to practice in Florida.

Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.  Never lie to the Board.  Remember that the Board is determining your character and whether you are fit to practice law.  

Soreide Law Group wants you to know that if you’ve been called before the Florida Bar for an Investigative Hearing we will represent you at the hearing and help you navigate through the process.  It can be very daunting and your future is on the line. 

Soreide Law Group represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both investigative hearings and formal hearings in front of the Florida Bar. For more information about our services please visit: www.floridabarhearing.com or call (888) 760-6552.

Will Social Networking Sites have an Adverse Affect on your Bar Application?

The Florida Board of Bar Examiners voted to review applicants’ social networking sites on a case-by-case basis, focusing on those who have demonstrated problem conduct in the past, reports the Florida Bar News.

A growing number of employers and agencies are surfing the Internet to access social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to look for adverse information about applicants.

The board plans to avoid an up-front request to all applicants for access, explaining in a report to the Florida Supreme Court that “in reaching this policy, the board reasoned that if applicants are required to provide access to their social websites, they are likely to delete any derogatory material before staff has the opportunity to review it.”

The following was taken from an article by Jan Pudlow in the Florida Bar News:

The Board of Bar Examiners did adopt the policy that investigation of social networking Web sites should be conducted for the following bar applicants:

• Applicants who are required to establish rehabilitation under Rule 3-13 “so as to ascertain whether they displayed any malice or ill feeling towards those who were compelled to bring about the proceeding leading to the need to establish rehabilitation;”

• Applicants with a history of substance abuse/dependence “so as to ascertain whether they discussed or posted photographs of any recent substance abuse;”

• Applicants with “significant candor concerns” including not telling the truth on employment applications or resumes;

• Applicants with a history of unlicensed practice of law (UPL) allegations;

• Applicants who have worked as a certified legal intern, reported self-employment in a legal field, or reported employment as an attorney pending admission “to ensure that these applicants are not holding themselves out as attorneys;”

• Applicants who have positively responded to Item 27 of the bar application disclosing “involvement in an organization advocating the overthrow of a government in the United States to find out if they are still involved in any related activities.”

Soreide Law Group represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both investigative hearings and formal hearings in front of the Florida Bar. For more information about our services please visit: www.floridabarhearing.com or call (888) 760-6552.