I am not supposed to call myself esquire but I think I can be forgiven a little ettiquette faux paux on this occassion: I am now officially an attorney! I am beyond elated. I can now be officially called such fancy things as counselor, attorney, lawyer and esquire. I love it.
I know you are asking yourselves, "Wait, I thought she took the bar exam a year ago! What happened?" Well, here in New York it takes a long time to get your bar exam results back. Then you have the following:
- Fill out application and get affidavits from past legal employers
- Take a class on ethics before admission (if you are in Brooklyn)
- Have an in-person character and fitness interview with a member of the bar.
- Attend an admissions ceremony
The picture above is of the courthouse where I was admitted. It is the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, and it is located in downtown Brooklyn.
Below is a picture of the room where I was admitted. Brian got better pictures but he forgot his camera at home and had to use a disposable camera. So, unless I use a scanner, you aren't going to see his pictures any time soon.
I took that picture while I was standing in line waiting to sign the book of attorneys. It was one of those big books that I used to look through at the Duluth courthouse when I did title work. I have always wanted to write in one of those. That's another thing to check off the bucket list.
The ceremony was nice and simple. All of the prospective attorneys stood in front of a panel of judges and were read the oath:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of theAfter the reading we all said, "I do." There was a speech and then the crowd left the courtroom so that we could wait our turn to sign the book.
United States, and the constitution of the State of New York, and that I will
faithfully discharge the duties of the office of [attorney and counselor-at-law],
according to the best of my ability.
Finally, here is a picture of me, taken by Brian, right after I was admitted:
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