TO: University of Wisconsin Law Students graduating in 2009
FROM: April Stegmann, Bar Application Manager
Ben Hopkins, Character and Fitness Investigator

RE: Diploma Privilege - Character and Fitness Certification
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 40.06(3m) requires diploma privilege admission candidates to file an Application for a Character and Fitness Certification with the Board of Bar Examiners. Please find the Information and Filing Instructions and the Application packet on our website, www.wicourts.gov/forms1/bbe.htm.
The Board of Bar Examiner’s Staff will be at the University of Wisconsin Law School in the Atrium on November 12, 2008 to answer questions. If you will not be available then, feel free to contact us at the Board office with any questions about the application or the Supreme Court rules that govern the process.

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
May 2009 Graduates:
$210 fee if application is filed by December 15, 2008
$310 fee if application is filed December 16, 2008, until 30 days after J.D. conferral
August 2009 Graduates:
$210 fee if application is filed by March 16, 2009 (as March 15th is a Sunday)
$310 fee if application is filed March 17, 2009, until 30 days after J.D. conferral
December 2009 Graduates:
$210 fee if application is filed July 15, 2009
$310 fee if application is filed July 16, 2009, until 30 days after J.D. conferral
Note that you must file your application no later than 30 days after the date of your J.D.
conferral or you may lose your diploma privilege. By rule, filing is defined as the date a properly executed application and fees are received at the Board office. That is, the Board does not recognize postmark dates.

May Graduates Only: Pursuant to Appendix BA 14.05, an application for a character and fitness certification must be filed with the Board at least three months prior to a scheduled law school swearing-in ceremony in order for a diploma privilege applicant to be certified for participation in the large-group swearing-in ceremony.

Submitted by Kevin Kelly on October 17, 2008

This article appears in the categories: Announcements, Must-Know Info