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 4:07 pm
This article appears in the categories: Announcements, Must-Know Info
