News
8/19/2008 - New Registration Rules For Law Students
The Alabama State Supreme Court has recently modified the rules governing the mandatory registration of law students matriculating at law schools within Alabama. These rules are effective immediately and retroactively to August 8, 2008.
The specific rule section modified is Rule I, Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar, and has been re-titled as Registration of Intent to Apply for Admission to the Alabama State Bar. Highlights of the rule changes include:
•1. New fee structure for student registration filing:
• a. If filed within 60 days of start your starting date = no fee required
• b. If filed after 60 days but within 180 days = $50.00
• c. If filed after 180 days but within 390 days = $100.00
• d. If filed after 390 days = $250.00
•2. The Committee on Character and Fitness (hereinafter "the Committee") shall promptly conduct an initial review of the registrant's character and fitness for the practice of law including alcohol or drug addictions or abuse, criminal history, and mental-health issues. Thereafter the Committee shall conduct an investigation into the qualifications, character, and fitness of every registrant who applies for admission to practice law and may request a personal appearance of the registrant before the Committee.
•3. If the Committee determines that a full set of fingerprints would be of substantial assistance to the Committee in investigating of the registrant, the Committee may direct the registrant to submit a complete set of his or her fingerprints.
•4. The Committee shall have sufficient ground to deny approval of the registration if the registrant has failed to fully comply with the registration rules including the failure to fully and completely provide supplemental information, fingerprint cards, meeting with Committee, etc.
•5. The Committee may withhold the approval of the registration of a law student if the registrant has failed to register within 390 days of the commencement of the study of law and may continue to delay such approval of the registration until such time as the Committee has reasonable opportunity to thoroughly investigate the registrant.
More information can be found at www.alabar.org or in a handout avialble in the school Admin Office. We'll also upload the document as a .pdf file later this week.