Bar Exams, Money, Student Loans

Update: Debt Still Disqualifying for New York Bar Applicant

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Back in July, we wrote about Robert Bowman, whose application for admission to the New York bar was derailed by debt. A panel of five appellate judges concluded that, in the words of the New York Times, “his student loans were too big, and his efforts to repay them too meager, for him to be a lawyer.
Bowman sought reconsideration of the ruling. His effort was unsuccessful.
Details after the jump.


As reported earlier this week by Jonathan Glater, in the NYT:

“[Bowman’s] application demonstrates a course of action amounting to neglect of financial responsibilities with respect to the student loans he has accumulated since 1983,” the judges wrote in a decision issued [earlier this month]. They went on to criticize his “dealing with the lenders.”

The decision, which comes as students borrow ever larger sums to cover the cost of higher education, blocked Mr. Bowman’s effort to have his bar application reconsidered after it was initially denied earlier this year.

In the meantime, things keep getting worse for Bowman. His debts, due to various fees, penalties and interest, continue to grow by about $10,000 each month.
Bowman is appealing the decision to New York’s highest court.
UPDATE: There is some good information in the comments, suggesting that the issue here is less about his total debt and more about his failure to make efforts at repayment.
Again, Debt Disqualifies Applicant From the Bar [New York Times]
Earlier: $400,000 in Student Debt = Character & Fitness Fail

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