Ethics/Professional Responsibility,
Law Practice,
Legal Education,
State Bar & Bar Associations
Apr. 30, 2021
Does consumer debt correlate to moral character?
Most state bars incorrectly think so.
Jessica Williams
Jessica is a third-year student at UC Berkeley School of Law. During her second year, she worked at the East Bay Community Law Center's Consumer Justice Clinic.
The average law student graduates from law school with $165,000 in debt and takes out over $150,000 to attend. Many states' bar associations, including California's, take into account an applicant's debt, described as "neglect of financial responsibilities," when making decisions about who may be admitted to practice. Generally, inquiries related to an applicant's financial history are conducted during the moral character and fitness application, which all 51 jurisdic...
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