Email Sent to the State Bar of California

I have sent this email to the State Bar of California. Here is their email if you would like to also email them: admissions@calbar.ca.gov.

The more we express our feelings on this matter, the more likely it is that we will be heard!

Greetings Admissions & Committee of Bar Examiners, 

First, I hope this email finds you all safe and healthy at this time. I am a concerned July 2020 Bar Exam candidate. The spread of COVID-19 across the world has devastated many people and it has disrupted our lives. There are many things we are unsure of right now because of the call for social distancing and self-quarantine as the spread continues. These unprecedented times require us to act in the best interest of our well-being, finances, and mental health. That is why I would like to ask you to post-pone the July 2020 Bar Exam for all candidates and grant diploma privileges. The New York State Bar Exam has already made the call. 

Please take a look at this proposal formed by Lawyers across the nation who are advocating for all Bar Exams to be postponed: https://www.abajournal.com/files/barexamoptionsCOVID-19.pdf

There is no better way to provide July 2020 Bar Candidates with a sense of security for our health, finances, and future than by guarantying that you will not administer the Bar Exam in this climate. Furthermore, to allow us to practice under diploma privileges until exams continue will provide us with a better chance at job security in an economy that is heading downward. Not to mention, it will allow us to serve the public at large who will surely need lawyers more than ever before. For example, they will need lawyers to administer their estate, fight for laid off workers, help domestic violence victims, advocate for immigrants, and fight for criminal justice. There is no doubt that we need the next round of attorneys during these times just as much as we need doctors and nurses.

Please consider postponing the July 2020 Bar Exam and granting diploma privileges to the candidates. 

This email is sent on behalf of myself and all others who have and will sign this petition: http://chng.it/5JsdYjcx

Already there are a dozen supporters and the petition was posted just one hour ago. We know this is a difficult decision to make and a very tough call but we care and your decision matters to us!

Thank you,

Octavia Latrease Carson