New York appellate court affirms denial of bar applicant due to student loan debt

In a follow-up story to the case of bar applicant Robert Bowman who was denied admission to the New York bar back in April, 2009 as a result of owing $480k in student loans, the same court last week denied Mr. Bowman's request to reconsider its original decision.  The court noted that:

We further affirm our prior determination that applicant has not presently established the character and general fitness requisite for an attorney and counselor-at-law (Matter of Anonymous, 61 AD3d 1214 [2009], supra). His application demonstrates a course of action amounting to neglect of financial responsibilities with respect to the student loans he has accumulated since 1983. According to applicant, his Sallie Mae federal and private loans alone now total approximately $480,000, including interest. His recalcitrance in dealing with the lenders has been and continues to be incompatible with a lawyer's duties and responsibilities as a member of the bar (see e.g. Matter of Anonymous, 78 NY2d 227, 232 [1991]; see also ABA Code of Recommended Standards for Bar Examiners, Standards 7, 12, 13).

Although the appellate court denied the applicant's motion without prejudice to his right to re-open the matter later should his financial circumstances change, Mr. Bowman told the New York Times in an interview that this decision has "destroyed my life.'

'Everything I’ve worked for, every effort, every fight that I’ve taken to make this progress, has been for nothing.' He has appealed to New York’s highest court.

You can read this most recent appellate decision here, this blog's coverage of the original decision back in April here, and the New York Times coverage here.

Hat tip to Professor Randolph Braccialarghe.

(jbl)