Unethical writing becomes an obstacle to bar admission

As the ABA Journal recently reported, Stephen Glass “fabricated dozens of stories” while he worked as a journalist before attending law school. After he graduated, he applied for admission to the California Bar—but he admitted to only some of the made-up articles.  Having thus created an unsavory impression of his character, Glass proceeded to profit from a book about his transgressions. The California Committee of Bar Examiners denied his application on moral character grounds, and the matter is now before the California Supreme Court. The case provides a cautionary tale for students who are tempted to be less than professional in their written work.

(jdf)