We all have indiscretions from our past that we would prefer to forget about. You have moved on from these challenging times, grown up, worked hard, completed undergraduate studies, and are about to complete law school. When applying to The Florida Bar, it can be difficult to ascertain what needs to be said and what can be left unsaid. What do I need to reveal on my Florida Bar Application?

What Can I Avoid Revealing On My Florida Bar Application?

If you are unsure whether you should reveal something on your Florida Bar Application, speak to a Florida Bar Admissions Attorney. It is always better to be completely transparent and reveal more than necessary than omit something that the Florida Board of Bar Examiners deems pertinent about your Character and Fitness. 

That being said, the FBBE explicitly states that applicants do not need to reveal that they have anxiety or depression except in the case of psychotic disorders like Schizophrenia and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. 

What Do I Need To Reveal On My Florida Bar Application?

The short answer is everything that is questioned on The Florida Bar Application should be answered with complete truthfulness and transparency. Some examples of information requested on the application to The Florida Bar are:

Personal Information

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Contact information (address, phone number, email)
• Citizenship status

Educational Background

• Undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
• Degrees earned
• Dates of attendance
• Transcripts from all educational institutions attended

Employment History

• Previous employment history, including internships and clerkships
• Dates of employment
• Job titles and descriptions of duties
• Contact information for employers

Character and Fitness

• Criminal history, including arrests, charges, and convictions (both misdemeanors and felonies)
• Disciplinary actions taken against you by any educational institutions or professional organizations
• Financial delinquencies, such as bankruptcies or outstanding debts
• Substance abuse or mental health issues (if applicable)
• Civil lawsuits or legal disputes in which you have been involved

Our blog “What Are The Questions On The Florida Bar Application?” can offer more details on what information Florida Bar Applicants require. 

Conclusion

The key is to be open, honest, and clear when filling out your Florida Bar Application. An omission of pertinent information on your application can result in, at best, a Florida Bar Investigative Hearing and, at worst, denial to the Florida Bar. Not being forthright with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners will call your Character and Fitness to practice law into question. If you have questions about what not to or what to reveal on your Florida Bar Application, a Florida Bar Admissions Attorney can help guide you. 

Elizabeth S. Conan is a Florida Bar Admissions Attorney specializing in Character and Fitness. As a former Florida Bar staff lawyer, Elizabeth can help you avoid application mistakes and understand what you should reveal on your Florida Bar Application.