Most Florida law students put most of their time and effort into studying for the Florida Bar Exam over all else. But is this the best choice for all Florida Bar applicants? What about applicants who need to rehabilitate their character to prove Character and Fitness to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners? What should I focus on – The Florida Bar exam or Character and Fitness?
Rehabilitating Your Character Before An Investigative Hearing – Bar Exam vs. Character and Fitness
“I don’t have time to do service work and study for the bar exam at the same time”.
I hear this from bar applicants when we’re prepping for an upcoming hearing and they’re also studying for the bar exam. On top of that, they’re working. And they’re taking care of people who depend on them. Sometimes we are so focused on getting through a day, an exam, an interview, whatever, that we go blind to some obvious insights.
Take preparing for an investigative hearing, for example.
You’ve got one shot before the Board and you need to make it count.
1. What if the Board has called you for an investigative hearing about your lack of candor?
Is “now” the best time to go in for a hearing, when you need as much time as possible to rehabilitate your lack of candor ahead of your hearing, but you’re studying for the Bar exam?
2. The time you could spend rehabilitating your character with service hours is being allocated to studying for the exam instead.
What will it matter if you pass the exam, but don’t clear character and fitness?
3. Or worse, if you don’t pass the exam, and your character and fitness is not cleared?
You need to pass the exam and clear character and fitness to become an attorney.
4. Most applicants put passing the bar exam before all else, and that’s unfortunate.
The truth is that life usually doesn’t follow a linear trajectory. Or play out in the exact chronological order you’ve believed it would.
Take your foot off the gas and think for a moment.
- Are you allocating your limited resources well?
- Could you allocate them better?
5. Pick one or the other and put your full focus on either the exam or your hearing.
You’ll be happy you did.
What Should I Focus On – Florida Bar Exam Or Character And Fitness
If you are certain that your record is clear and you won’t experience any Character and Fitness hurdles your best option is to focus on the bar exam.
If you have already been called for a Florida Bar Character and Fitness Investigation or have a criminal or questionable history, focusing on Character and Fitness is most likely your optimal choice.
Either way, choosing where to concentrate your focus is a personal decision. Consider your options carefully and seek a Florida Bar Admissions Attorney, like Elizabeth Conan to counsel you if you aren’t sure.
Conclusion
When deciding if you should focus on the Florida Bar exam or your Character and Fitness review when applying to the Florida Bar, you must think clearly and practically. If you are certain there aren’t any problems in your past that could affect your Character and Fitness, it is probably in your best interest to focus on your bar exam. If you have a more questionable past or you have been summoned for an investigative hearing, you may be better off focusing on bettering your Character and Fitness.
If you’re still unsure of prioritizing an investigative hearing or the bar exam, contact Elizabeth to discuss your options.
