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48 Mitchell Hamline L. Rev. 500 (2022)
The Other Bar Hurdle: An Examination of the Character and Fitness Requirement for Bar Admission

handle is hein.journals/wmitch48 and id is 504 raw text is: THE OTHER BAR HURDLE: AN EXAMINATION OF THE CHARACTER AND FITNESS REQUIREMENT FOR BAR ADMISSION David L. Hudson, Jr.' and Andrea Gemignani I. INTRO DU CTIO N ................................................................501 II. BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND..................................503 III. OVERVIEW OF CURRENT PROCESS AND COMMON FACTORS FOR DENIAL OF CHARACTER CERTIFICATION ..........505 A. Overview of Character and Fitness Process .......................505 B. Common Factors for Denial of Character Certification ....510 IV. CRITICISMS OF THE CHARACTER AND FITNESS PROCESS .......................................................................................513 A. Ineffective Proxy for Intended Purpose............................513 B. Inherent Subjectivity Implicit Bias, Arbitrary Application & Resulting Lack of Predictability........................................... 514 C Potentiallylnsurmountable Hurdle for Individuals with Prior Criminal Convictions ...............................................................516 D. Continued Discriminatory Effects .....................................520 1. Unintended Consequence ofDiscouragmng Applicants of Color and Magnifying the Effects ofa Discriminatory Crim inaljustice System .......................................................520 2. ADA Violations & Consequences for Applicants Seeking Needed Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatm en t............................................................................521 3. Socioeconomic Impact of Considering Financial O bhlgations...........................................................................526 E. Direct Costs of Time & Money..........................................526 F Constitutional Concerns .....................................................528 1. L ack ofD ue....................................................................528 2. First Amendment Concerns and Social Media..............528 V. JUSTIFICATIONS................................................................529 VI. REFORMING THE SYSTEM ................................................534 VII. INCREASED USE OF CONDITIONAL ADMISSION.............536 VIII. CONCLUSION ....................................................................537 'David L. Hudson, Jr. is an assistant professor of law at Belmont University College of Law. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of more than forty books. He regularly writes on ethics issues for the ABA Journal. He also regularly represents applicants in character and fitness proceedings before the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners. ' Andrea Gemignani is a visiting assistant professor of legal practice at Belmont University College of Law.

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