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October 30, 2025Download PDF
For law students and New Jersey Bar applicants, one of the most stressful parts of the Bar admission process is getting certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey Committee on Character after taking the Bar examination. That process includes completing the Committee’s Character and Fitness Questionnaire (CFQ), which covers an applicant’s entire life from age 18 onward and must be sworn to. And, in some cases, a candidate must undergo a formal hearing under oath before a panel of the Committee on Character.
There are many reasons why hearings may be required. Hearings can occur if there are problems in the candidate’s background, such as nondisclosure of information, academic dishonesty, unlawful conduct (including arrests or expunged convictions), financial irresponsibility, failure to file tax returns or pay taxes, misconduct in employment, addiction, and a host of other red flags.
By the time candidates apply for Bar admission, they have invested twenty years of schooling and thousands of dollars in college, law school, and Bar examination-related expenses. The stakes are high for candidates who have question marks in their background.
If you have any concern about clearing this final hurdle to Bar admission, whether about properly completing the CFQ or being represented by experienced counsel at a hearing, consulting an attorney can be essential. Two of the Firm’s members practice in this specialized area.
Bruce D. Greenberg served as a member of the Committee on Character for fifteen years and has unique insight into the Committee on Character’s processes. For nearly fifteen years since ending his service on the Committee on Character, Bruce has assisted Bar candidates in preparing the CFQ, helped to navigate the Committee on Character’s investigative process, and represented candidates at hearings before the Committee on Character and, where necessary, on appeal to the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Susana Cruz Hodge has worked with Bruce in creating strategies to help Bar candidates address and overcome the issues in their backgrounds, and preparing the candidate for the hearing before the Committee on Character.
In many cases, taking a proactive approach, including getting advice about the best way to respond to the CFQ questions and disclose information properly, is all that is needed. But even if your CFQ triggers a hearing, you will be more ready because we will have identified problematic issues, helped you gather the right documentation (court records, school records, payment history, etc.), and prepare you for questioning that will likely occur at the hearing. Unfortunately, most applicants do not engage an attorney until a hearing has already been scheduled. By then, mistakes in the CFQ have likely made the process more difficult. Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you have concerns about your record, be proactive and seek guidance before filing your CFQ.
The character and fitness process is designed to ensure that Bar applicants possess the honesty, integrity, and professionalism necessary to practice law. The CFQ requires detailed disclosures about (among many other things):
The Committee on Character carefully reviews this information, investigates these issues further, and may require additional documentation or even a hearing.
The Committee on Character requires complete and truthful disclosure. Even issues you think are “too minor” or “too old” may need to be reported.
Candor is very important in the character and fitness process, and lack of candor is often a problem that confronts Bar applicants. They run into trouble not because of the conduct itself, but because they left something out or were imprecise in describing it. It is important to not downplay, omit, or mischaracterize past issues. Even minor misstatements can raise red flags. The Committee is far less concerned with the fact that you once made a mistake than it is with whether you are being fully honest about it now.
Failure to disclose something (even unintentionally) can jeopardize your admission or delay your ability to practice.
Aside from being truthful, it is important to provide a credible accounting of any past issues in a manner that is not off-putting and does not raise red flags about current character and fitness to practice law. An incomplete, defensive, or overly casual explanation can hurt your credibility. A well-prepared explanation, by contrast, demonstrates growth, maturity, and professional judgment.
We can help you frame your disclosure so that it is honest, responsible, and aligned with what the Committee expects.
New Jersey has strict disclosure requirements, and the Committee cross-checks your CFQ answers against multiple databases (including law school records, credit reports, and court systems) and even your law school application. In fact, even expunged or dismissed matters may need to be disclosed.
Inconsistencies can create delays (or worse). If there are inconsistencies, whether intentional or not, this can trigger an in-depth investigation, delay your admission, or even result in a denial. We can review your CFQ before you file it, or counsel you about how to prepare it, to make sure everything lines up and is properly disclosed.
Final Thoughts
While passing the Bar exam is a huge accomplishment, admission to the Bar depends on proving your character and fitness. If you are concerned about your past, don’t guess or hope that an issue will go unnoticed. Contact Lite DePalma Greenberg & Afanador, LLC and we will help you present your record honestly and effectively. Our initial consultation is free of charge. Contact us today.
