Source: http://courts.state.wy.us/CourtRules_Entities.aspx?RulesPage=PracticeOfLawAdmission.xml
Timestamp: 2014-04-20 13:47:46
Document Index: 348184472

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 33', '§\n33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', 'sui generis']

Amended January 21, 2014;
Amendment Effective January 21, 2014;
Amended December 14, 2012;
Amendment Effective December 14, 2012;
Amended October 30, 2012;
Amendment Effective October 30, 2012;
Amended December 15, 2011;
Amendment Effective January 2, 2012;
Amended January 21, 2010;
Amendment Effective July 1, 2006;
Amended February 16, 2005;
Amendment Effective February 16, 2005;
Created November 24, 1997;
Effective March 4, 1998;
Statutory authority; Definitions
These Rules are promulgated pursuant to W.S. §§ 33-5-101 et seq.
As to applications for admission to the bar, generally, see W.S. §
33-5-104. As to qualifications of applicants, see W.S. § 33-5-105.
As to entitlement to two examinations, certificate of admission and
disposition of fees, see W.S. § 33-5-106. As to fraudulent applications
as cause for revocation, see W.S. § 33-5-107.
All references herein to the "Court" the "Board", the "Bar" and the
"Committee" shall refer respectively to the Supreme Court, the Wyoming
State Board of Law Examiners, the Wyoming State Bar and the Character
and Fitness Committee of the Board of Law Examiners, unless otherwise
(Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
Pursuant to W.S. § 33-5-101, the Board shall consist of five resident members of the Bar who are
learned, experienced and of generally recognized ability and integrity
and who have further completed five years in the active practice of law.
Members shall be appointed by the Supreme Court for terms of three
years each. No more than one member shall be appointed from the same
judicial district. Appointments to fill vacancies occurring other than
by expiration of a term shall be for the unexpired term. Each member of
the Board shall take and subscribe an oath to faithfully, carefully and
impartially perform all of the duties imposed as a member of the Board,
which oath shall be entered upon the minutes retained by the Bar on
behalf of the Supreme Court. The Board shall designate a chair and a
secretary from its membership, who, acting together, shall constitute
an executive committee. Any action which may be taken by the Board,
when the Board is not in session, and time is of the essence, may be
taken by the executive committee, which shall promptly notify the
members of the Board of such action. The action of the executive
committee shall be subject to confirmation at the next regular meeting
of the Board. The Board shall designate an Executive Secretary, who
shall be the Executive Director of the Bar.
Pursuant to W.S. § 33-5-102, the Board shall hold at least two regular meetings each year for the examination
and review of all applicants, at times and places designated by the chair. Other
meetings of the Board shall be called as necessary by the chair at such place or
places as may be convenient. These other meetings may be conducted by telephone
conference call. At all meetings, a majority of the Board shall constitute a
quorum. Members of the Board are excused from court appearances in all courts of
the State of Wyoming while in attendance at any meeting of the Board duly called
by its chair provided reasonable and timely notice of such a meeting is conveyed
to the appropriate court and to opposing counsel. It shall further be the duty
of the Board to certify and recommend all applicants for admission to the
Supreme Court. All petitions/applications for examination, admission on motion and for admission by UBE score transfer shall be
filed with the Supreme Court and forwarded to the Board, which shall verify
information on each applicant's petition, investigate each applicant's
qualifications and conduct further proceedings described in Section IV as it
deems necessary to determine character and fitness. Upon completing such
examination and/or investigation described herein, the Board shall report its
recommendations and findings to the Supreme Court in a timely manner.
Pursuant to W.S. § 33-5-103, each member of the Board shall receive compensation, a per diem and mileage
allowance as provided by law or as allowed by the Supreme Court. Expenses
incurred by Board members shall be directly and individually submitted upon an
itemized voucher to the Executive Secretary of the Board for proper verification
and certification. Upon obtaining such a voucher and securing the appropriate
certification, the Executive Secretary shall promptly submit the voucher and
certification to the Supreme Court for payment from revenues earmarked for the
Character and Fitness Committee.
To assist the Board in conducting such character and fitness investigation as it
deems necessary, the Supreme Court may appoint a Committee. The Committee shall
consist of not less than three nor more than five resident members of the Bar.
Committee members shall be appointed to three-year terms from a list of nominees
submitted by the Board to the Court on an annual basis, except that initial
members shall be appointed to terms of one, two and three years, respectively.
From its members, on an annual basis, the Board shall select a Committee Chair.
Committee members shall serve without compensation except that they shall be
reimbursed their actual expenses incurred in performing their duties and in
attending Committee meetings, in accordance with Rule 101(c) of these Rules.
The Committee shall investigate the character, fitness and moral qualifications
of an applicant for admission upon the request of the Board. Upon receipt of
such a request, accompanied by all information regarding the applicant as
obtained by the Board, the Committee shall conduct such investigation as it
deems necessary in order to report its findings and recommendations to the
The Committee shall determine an applicant's character, fitness and moral
qualifications in accordance with:
The provisions of these Rules; and
The applicable decisions of the Court and the Supreme Court of the United
Upon completion of its investigation the Committee shall submit to the Board its
written findings and recommendations concerning the applicant's character,
fitness and moral qualifications. The Board, in its discretion, may, in whole or
in part, accept or reject any such findings or recommendations, or remand any
such findings or recommendations to the Committee for such further investigation
as shall be requested by the Board.
Office of the Bar.
The office of the Bar shall serve as office of the Board and the Character and Fitness
Committee. It shall perform all administrative duties for the Board and the Committee,
including the receipt of examination answers; assist in the
investigation of applicants and their qualifications; and prepare minutes, proceedings,
certifications and recommendations required of the Board and the Committee by state law
and the Court. The State Bar shall also draft and submit all budgets, vouchers and
fiscal reports required by the State of Wyoming. The Bar shall also perform such other
duties as may be requested by the Board or the Court.
The Bar shall maintain copies of records that are generated in the course of
accepting and processing applications for admission on motion, records generated
in accepting and processing applications for admission by UBE score transfer, and records generated
in accepting and processing applications to sit for bar examinations and the
results of taking the bar examination. The following original records shall be
maintained at the Court subsequent to the report and recommendation of the
With respect to applications to sit for the bar examination:
Original application with all supporting data and certification required by the
Board, with the exception of original or duplicate applicant examinations, which
shall be destroyed three years following the test date; and
Original report and recommendation by the Board.
With respect to each bar examination:
The examination report of the Board, including the names and corresponding
scores of all those who took the examination; and
Such statistical summaries and annual reports as may be specifically authorized
With respect to applicants for admission on motion:
The original application with all supporting data and certification required by
With respect to applicants for admission by UBE score transfer:
The original application, including the questionnaire, affidavit and all
supporting data required by the Board to determine eligibility; and
Information and documents obtained by the Board and the Committee pursuant to their investigations and relevant to the requirements of the Board shall be retained by the Bar and shall be confidential, subject to the following exceptions:
Information may be disclosed by the Board to the Committee, by the Committee to
the Board, and may be disclosed to the applicant, the applicant's counsel, to
anyone authorized by the applicant to receive such information, to a hearing
officer appointed pursuant to these rules and to any counsel for the Board, or
for the Committee;
Information may be disclosed to the Court;
Information provided by or obtained with respect to an applicant's fitness to
practice law may be disclosed to the bar admissions authority of any United
States jurisdiction where the applicant applies for admission to the practice of
The name, address, date of birth, and social security number and application status of each applicant may be furnished to the National Conference of Bar Examiners for dissemination to the bar admissions authority of any United States jurisdiction upon request;
Information may also be released to the National Conference of Bar Examiners, Counsel for the Bar, any board or committee of the Bar and any board or committee of another state bar as the Board deems advisable;
Information and records may be disclosed as provided by order of the Supreme Court;
Exam information shall be released upon request to the law school from which the applicant graduated following the administration of each bar exam. This information shall include: student name, pass/fail status on the bar exam, and the number of times the applicant has taken the Wyoming bar exam;
All other information provided by or obtained with respect to an applicant for admission on motion, for admission by UBE score transfer, or to sit for a bar examination, including examination results, except as specifically provided for herein, shall be considered confidential and privileged.
(Amended January 21, 2010, effective April 1, 2010, Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
The Board may, for good cause shown by clear and convincing evidence, waive any rule bylaw or approval
required from the Board of Law Examiners which relates to the admission to the practice of law in Wyoming;
provided, however, the Board shall not waive filing fees.
The decision of the Board not to waive a rule may be appealed to the Court.
(Amended November 25, 2008, effective January 1, 2009, Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
Communications with Board Members.
All communications to or with the Board or any member thereof relating to pending
applications for admission on motion or applications to take the bar examination or
regarding the results thereof or eligibility for admission to the bar examination, and
all communications with either the Board or any member thereof relating to waiver of
any part of these Rules, whether by an applicant or by any person or agent acting for
or on the behalf of an applicant, shall be transmitted through the office of the Bar
unless otherwise directed in writing by the chair of the Board.
required to be made by routine application shall be filed with the Clerk of the
Supreme Court. Additional information requested by the Board or the Committee in
investigations of applicants shall be filed with the office of the Bar. An
application shall be governed by the Rules and Procedures in effect at the time
the application is filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court.
For any conduct or occurrence in the course of or arising out of any official
duties in connection with these rules, the Board and its members shall enjoy
judicial immunity as the Wyoming Supreme Court would enjoy performing the same
For any conduct or occurrence in the course of or arising out of performance of
any official duties in connection with these rules, the Board, its members, its
Executive Secretary, its counsel, the Committee, its members, its counsel and
all employees, personnel and agents through whom the Board and/or Committee
functions shall enjoy such prosecutorial immunities as the Supreme Court would
enjoy if performing the same functions.
The Board, its members, its Executive Secretary, its counsel, the Committee, its
members, its counsel, and all employees, personnel and agents shall retain
common law immunity applicable and enjoy any immunity granted to the fullest
In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, or by order of
the Supreme Court, the day of the act, event or default from which the designated
period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so
computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, or,
when the act to be done is the filing of a paper, a day on which weather or other
conditions have closed the recipient office, in which event the period runs until the
end of the next day which is not one of the above-described days. When the period of
time prescribed or allowed is less than 11 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and
legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation. As used in this rule, "legal holiday"
includes any day officially recognized as a legal holiday in this state by designation of
the legislature or appointment as a holiday by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Attorney's Oath Form: Entry on Minutes; Time Limit on Admission.
Pursuant to W.S. § 33-5-112, following the order of the Supreme Court admitting the applicant to the Bar with authority
to practice as an attorney and counselor at law in the Supreme Court and all courts of the
State of Wyoming, the candidate shall make the following oath:
"I __________________, do solemnly swear that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United
States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Wyoming, and that I will faithfully
and honestly and to the best of my ability discharge the duties of an Attorney and Counselor
at Law."
The oath may be taken in open court or in chambers or, if the applicant resides outside the
state, before any officer authorized to administer oaths. The completed oath shall be entered
on the minutes of the Supreme Court.
The completed attorney’s oath must be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court no more than ninety days after the date of the Supreme Court’s order admitting the applicant to the Bar. Except as provided below, failure to timely satisfy the provision of this rule shall require an applicant to recommence the application process including a new application, payment of fees, a character and fitness investigation and retaking of the Bar Examination, if applicable.
An applicant who fails to take and file the oath within ninety days from the date of the Supreme Court’s order may, for up to 12 months from the date of the Supreme Court’s order admitting the applicant to the Bar, file an affidavit with the Board of Law Examiners explaining the cause of the delay. Upon consideration of the affidavit, the Board may, for good cause shown, recommend to the Supreme Court that the applicant be permitted to file the oath late or recommend to the Supreme Court that the applicant not be permitted to file the oath late.
Upon application a professor of the University of Wyoming College of Law who has been employed as a professor by such university on a full-time basis for at least two (2) complete scholastic years may apply for admission to practice law in the State of Wyoming without examination by the Board of Law Examiners.
Law professors may make application pursuant to this rule following two (2) years of full-time teaching, provided, however, that such applicant, should he or she discontinue such full-time teaching, shall be required to notify the Wyoming State Bar and reapply for admission, if desired.
SECTION IIADMISSION BY EXAMINATION
Applications for Examination.
The Wyoming Uniform Bar Examination shall be administered in February and July of each
year. An application to take the February administration of the Uniform Bar
Examination must be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court no later than the
15th day of November. An application to take the July administration of the
Uniform Bar Examination must be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court no
later than the 15th day of April.
Applications to take the Wyoming Bar Examination shall be filed with the Supreme
Court Clerk's office on a form prescribed by the Board and shall be accompanied
by a fee established by the Board and the Supreme Court, together with a fee
equal to the cost(s) of any credit or other report requested by the Board or the
Committee. Further, evidence that the applicant meets the education requirements
set forth in these rules must be submitted contemporaneously with the
application, together with all supporting data and certification required of an
applicant. The Board may require the payment of an additional fee for
investigation, including but not limited to, the cost of any record or documents
required by the Board or the Committee in the conduct of an investigation or
inquiry concerning the applicant, the cost of the character report from the
National Conference of Bar Examiners and the cost of the services of an
An applicant who is unsuccessful on an examination, or who fails to take the examination,
may request registration for the next Wyoming Bar Examination without paying an additional fee.
Further, applicants who wish to take the next examination need not resubmit evidence of
meeting the educational requirements set forth in these rules. Thereafter, the applicant
shall be required to resubmit an application and filing fee. Reapplications must be filed no
later than the 1st day of June for the July examination, and the 2nd day of January for the
(Amended December 15, 2011, effective January 2, 2012, Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
The Board shall, before admitting an applicant to an examination, be satisfied
that the applicant possesses the qualifications as to the periods of study
prescribed by law; and the following information shall be submitted by an
The time of study in an American Bar Association accredited law school, or under
the supervision thereof, by the certificate of the president, dean or secretary
of the faculty under whose instruction the person has studied, under the seal of
the school, if such there be; and
The time of study in the office of a member of the Bar or a judge of this state
by a certificate of such members of the Bar or judge, showing the actual period
of such study, together with a listing and description of the substantive topics
of law studied. Evidence of tests taken, as well as written material, may be
requested. Prior approval of a course of study is highly recommended by the
Attendance and successful completion of classes and studies at an American Bar
Association accredited law school during a school year of not less than eight
months in a year shall be deemed a year's attendance in a law school; and in
computing the period of study in an office, a vacation actually taken, not to
exceed three months in each year, shall be allowed as part of each year.
An applicant shall not be permitted to take the examination unless evidence is
first received showing that the applicant meets the educational requirements of
these Rules. It is the responsibility of the applicant alone to insure that the
evidence is received prior to the examination. The form of evidence shall be an
official transcript from each law school attended, or a certificate of the dean
of such law school certifying successful completion and graduation from a law
school approved by the Board, if applicable. However, in lieu of an official
transcript of legal studies, an applicant who is eligible to take the
examination prior to graduation shall cause the applicant's law school to submit
a certification to the effect that the applicant is a regularly enrolled student
and that the examination for which the application has been made is the
examination immediately following the applicant's scheduled graduation. An
applicant shall cause the applicant's law school, if applicable, to certify to
the Supreme Court the fact of the applicant's graduation before the Board may
certify the applicant as eligible for admission to the practice of law.
Any person applying under Section 202(a)(1) shall cause the applicant's law
school to certify to the Supreme Court the fact of the applicant's graduation
before the Board may certify the applicant as eligible for admission to the
Refunds of the Wyoming Bar Examination application fee will not be made in the
event an applicant is found to be ineligible to take an examination. Refunds will
not be made for withdrawal of an application, but may only be allowed by the Supreme
Court upon motion and for good cause shown.
Rule 204.
The Board shall conduct two examinations each year, one in February and one in July.
No less than 60 days prior to the exam, the Board shall notify applicants of the location
of the exam. Each exam shall be conducted so as to coincide with the administration of the
Uniform Bar Examination prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
Wyoming is a Uniform Bar Examination jurisdiction. The Wyoming Uniform Bar Examination
(UBE) consists of three parts: the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), the Multistate Performance
Test (MPT) and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE).
(Amended January 21, 2010, effective April 1, 2010; Amended December 14, 2012, effective December 14, 2012, Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
Each applicant shall, by taking the examination be deemed to have sworn the following
with respect to each question:
"I being first duly sworn on my oath according to law, depose and state: that I had
no information or knowledge in advance as to what questions would be submitted to me
in my examination held before the Board of Law Examiners of the State of Wyoming and
that I received no information or advice during said examination from any person or
persons, whatever, or by reference to any book or memorandum of any kind." Applicants, at the discretion of the Board, may be required to sign and have notarized
this oath in writing.
Anonymity of Examinees.
Until after the grading process has been completed by the Board, the examination of
each applicant shall be done in such a manner that the applicant's examination paper
is not identifiable by name to the members of the Board or its Executive Secretary.
Completing the Essay Portion of the Examination Using a Personal Computer.
Applicants may use a personal computer to type the essay portion of the examination.
In order to do so, an applicant must:
Indicate the desire to use a personal computer to type the examination on the Application for Admission to the Wyoming State Bar;
Supply a personal computer that meets the current requirements of the Board;
Register and use examination software prescribed by the Board, according to instructions provided to applicant, including payment of any fees associated with use of the software; and
Acknowledge the acceptance of any risk inherent to using electronics, including but not limited to power failure, software malfunction, and equipment failure.
(Amended March 21, 2006, effective July 1, 2006; Amended December 15, 2011, effective January 2, 2012.)
The Board shall appoint a sufficient number of monitors to insure the examination
is conducted in an orderly and expeditious manner and to insure no applicant gives
or receives aid in taking the examination.
Misconduct by Applicants During Examination.
If, during an examination, the Board or its designee has brought to its attention
conduct by an applicant which may violate the oath of applicant or any rule governing
the examination, the Board or its designee shall cause an immediate investigation to
be made. If the Board or its designee determines that an applicant has violated the
oath of applicant or rules governing the examination, it shall immediately disqualify
the applicant from the examination. Thereafter, the Board may consider whether the
applicant's character and fitness is such that the applicant is capable of assuming
the responsibilities of the practice of law. Any fraudulent act or presentation in
connection with the application or examination shall be sufficient cause for the
revocation of the order admitting the applicant to practice.
An applicant who has a disability and is otherwise eligible to take the Wyoming
Bar Examination may file a request for special testing accommodations. The
applicant is responsible for informing the Board in writing in accordance with
this rule by the deadline for filing the application for examination. If the
applicant fails to demonstrate that the applicant suffers from a covered
disability, there shall be no obligation to provide any accommodations.
"Disability" shall mean any of the following: A physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the
applicant and that substantially limits the ability of the applicant to
demonstrate, under standard testing conditions, that the applicant possesses the
essential skills and aptitudes that the Supreme Court of Wyoming and the Board
have determined are appropriate to require for admission to the practice of law
"Reasonable accommodation" shall mean an adjustment or modification of the
standard testing conditions that ameliorates the impact of the applicant's
disability without doing any of the following:
Fundamentally altering the nature of the Wyoming Bar Examination or the Board's
ability to determine through the bar examination whether the applicant possesses
the essential skills and aptitudes that the Supreme Court and the Board have
determined are appropriate to require for admission to the practice of law in
Compromising the integrity, the reliability, or the validity of the examination;
Imposing an undue burden on the Board.
Requests for special testing accommodations shall be made in the following
A request for special testing accommodations shall be on forms prescribed by the
Board and shall consist of all of the following:
A statement of the applicant, including a description of the applicant's
disability and the special accommodations requested;
A certificate of the applicant's medical, psychological, or other appropriate
authority, signed under oath stating:
The nature and the extent of the impairment;
The test or tests performed to diagnose the disability or impairment;
The effect of the disability on the applicant's ability to take the test under
normal testing conditions; and
The special testing conditions prescribed by the certifying authority, or deemed
to be necessary by the certifying authority.
A statement by the applicant as to the accommodations received in college, law
school, or any prior examination; and
A certificate from any educational institution beyond high school that provided
special accommodations to the applicant while the applicant attended the
educational institution which describes the accommodations provided to the
The applicant may file any additional documentation in support of the request.
Upon request, the applicant shall submit an authorization for release of records
relevant to the disability and/or requested accommodations from educational
institutions, medical, psychological and/or appropriate authorities who
completed certificates submitted with the request, if the Board determines that
access to those records is reasonably necessary to determine whether an
applicant's condition meets the criteria for a disability set forth in this
policy. The Board may, at its expense, require an examination by an appropriate
A request for special testing accommodations for any examination shall be filed
by the deadlines set forth in Rule 201(a). A request for special test
accommodations for re-examination shall be filed with the application for
examination and by the deadline for filing that application.
An applicant may file an emergency request for special testing accommodations
after the time prescribed in the above section if all of the following
The application to take the Wyoming Bar Examination was timely filed and
complete in all other respects;
At the time of filing the application to take the Wyoming Bar Examination, the
applicant did not have the disability or was unaware of a disability that would
necessitate special testing accommodations;
After acquiring the disability, the applicant promptly submits both of the
An emergency request on a form prescribed by the Board, providing the date and
circumstances under which the disability arose or became known to the applicant;
A complete request for special testing accommodations. The certificate by the
appropriate authority shall state the date the impairment first manifested
An emergency request shall not be filed fewer than seven days preceding the
scheduled bar examination. Time is computed pursuant to Rule 109.
All forms necessary to complete a request or emergency request for special
testing accommodations shall be available at no charge from the Clerk of the
The Board shall review all requests for special testing accommodations that are
properly filed in accordance with this policy. The Board may delegate to a
committee of its members authority to review and rule upon requests pursuant to
this policy. Requests that are not timely filed, that are incomplete, or that
otherwise do not comply with the requirements of this policy may be rejected for
consideration by the Board. The Board may request an applicant to submit
additional information in support of the applicant's request. The Board may seek
the assistance of an appropriate authority of the Board's choosing in reviewing
a request. In reviewing a regular request, the Board shall comply with the
The Board shall make a determination, and shall send notification of the
determination to the applicant, no fewer than 40 days before the examination.
The Board's denial of a request shall be in writing and sent to the applicant
by certified mail to the address provided by the applicant on the request. The
Board's denial shall include a statement of the Board's reasons for denial.
The applicant may appeal the denial of a request. The appeal shall be filed with
the Clerk of the Supreme Court within 10 days of the mailing of the notice of
denial. The appeal shall be conducted on the basis of the record compiled before
the Board, and the applicant shall be limited to a written argument in support
Within 10 days of the filing of an appeal, the Supreme Court shall affirm,
reverse, or modify the Board's decision and prepare a written ruling with
reasons for the decision. A copy of the ruling shall be sent to the applicant at
the address provided by the applicant on the request. The decision on appeal
In reviewing an emergency request, the Board shall first determine whether the
request qualifies as an emergency request under this policy. If it does not
qualify as an emergency, the Board shall deny the request.
If an emergency exists, the Board shall make a determination on the emergency
request and notify the applicant of the determination, as soon as is reasonable
but no later than 24 hours before the examination.
The Board may deny an emergency request if it is not practicable in the time
remaining before the examination:
To arrange special accommodations that would provide testing conditions that are
reasonable and comparable to those conditions provided to other applicants; or
For the Board to take all steps reasonable and necessary for it to reach a fair
determination on the merits of the request before the examination.
The Board's decision on an emergency request shall be final and is not
The Board shall incur the costs of all accommodations that it grants and that
are provided to the applicant by the Board.
The Board shall grant a request and provide special testing accommodations to an
applicant if it finds that the provisions of this rule are met and finds all of
The applicant is a qualified applicant with a disability who is otherwise
eligible to take the bar examination;
The special testing accommodations are necessary to ameliorate the impact of the
applicant's disability;
The special testing accommodations are reasonable accommodations.
The Board shall determine, based on the information available to it, what
special testing accommodations are reasonable accommodations. The Board may
provide accommodations different from those requested by the applicant if the
Board determines that the accommodations provided will effectively ameliorate
the impact of the applicant's disability.
No special testing accommodations granted pursuant to this policy shall serve to
alter in any manner the limitation otherwise imposed on the applicant's answers.
If an applicant is permitted to dictate answers to the essay portion of the
examination, those answers shall be transcribed by personnel selected solely by
the Board for that purpose.
All requests for special testing accommodations, supporting documentation, and
information developed by the Board with respect to the requests shall remain
Examination Scores and Notification of Results.
The Wyoming Bar Examination is the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which consists of the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE),
the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). See Rule 204.
The Board shall require each applicant to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a
scale score of 85 or greater, prior to certifying the applicant as eligible for admission to the practice of law.
The passing score on the MPRE must be obtained not more than three years prior to or not more than one month after
the exam administration in which an applicant obtains a passing score on the UBE taken in Wyoming.
The UBE given in Wyoming shall be prepared and graded with the assistance of the National Conference of Bar Examiners
(NCBE). In order to pass the Wyoming Bar Exam, an examinee must achieve a UBE total score of 270 points (of a possible
400). The formula for determining the total UBE score is: MBE Scaled Score + MEE/MPT Scaled Score = UBE Total Score.
Scoring-MBE. Raw MBE scores (the number of questions correctly answered) are converted to scale scores by the NCBE by
use of a formula designed to make scores comparable from one exam administration to another. The MBE is weighted as 50%
of the UBE total score.
Scoring-MEE/MPT: The combined MEE/MPT raw scores are converted to scale scores by the NCBE by use of a formula designed
to make scores comparable from one exam to another. The MEE and MPT are weighted together as 50% of the UBE total score,
with the MEE worth 30% and the MPT worth 20%.
Transfer of UBE scores. An applicant must sit for the entire UBE in the same exam administration to earn a portable UBE
score. Wyoming does not accept MBE score transfers from other jurisdictions or from previous examinations for purposes
of waiving the MBE portion of the exam. An applicant who takes the UBE in another jurisdiction may direct transfer of
the UBE score pursuant to Rule 306 and be exempt from taking the UBE in Wyoming. To pass the Wyoming Bar Examination,
such applicants must achieve a UBE total score of 270 or higher. Such applicant must meet all other requirements for
eligibility to be admitted to the Wyoming State Bar.
The Board shall notify the Supreme Court of the results of the examination upon completion of grading and the scaling
process by the NCBE and after receipt of results from the MPRE. The Supreme Court shall notify each bar applicant
whether the applicant passed the examination and of the applicant’s scores as promptly as feasible following the Board’s
recommendation pursuant to Rule 213. Applicant scores shall not be disclosed to any person other than the applicant
except that: (1) upon written request of an applicant the Board may disclose the applicant's scale UBE scores to the
bar examining authority of any United States jurisdiction; (2) the Board may compile and disseminate passage rate
reports as directed or approved by the Supreme Court; (3) to NCBE to calculate examination scores and transfer the
applicant’s UBE scores or MBE scores to other U.S. jurisdictions upon the applicant’s request; and (4) upon request,
the Board shall provide to the National Conference of Bar Examiners and the dean of the applicant's law school, or
his/her designee, statistical detail for each applicant taking the Wyoming Bar exam. This statistical detail shall
include: applicant name, pass/fail status on the bar exam, and the number of times the applicant has taken the Wyoming
bar exam. The applicant's law school shall maintain the confidential nature of the exam information except for release
of aggregated exam statistics for ABA-accreditation purposes.
(Amended February 16, 2005, effective February 16, 2005; Amended January 21, 2010, effective April 1, 2010; Amended December 14, 2012, effective December 14, 2012.)
Rule 212.
Review of Examination Answers.
An applicant who fails the exam may inspect the applicant's answers along with a copy of the MEE and MPT
examinations and the model answers following the exam at the office of the Bar.
Any other review of examination answers shall be subject to NCBE rules.
(Amended December 14, 2012, effective December 14, 2012.)
Certification of Eligibility for Admission to the Bar.
Upon an applicant's passing the bar examination and provided that the applicant is
certified to have the requisite character and fitness to practice law and the
applicant has met all of the educational and testing requirements of these rules,
the Board shall certify its recommendation to the Court that the applicant is
eligible for admission to the practice of law. Certification may be in such form
as the Board prescribes, including a letter, bearing the signature of the Chair or
someone delegated by the Chair, provided that person is a member of the Board or
the Executive Secretary to the Board.
Rule 214.
Duty of the Court After Receiving Certification of the Board.
The Supreme Court, upon receiving the Board's certification that an applicant is
eligible for admission to the Bar, shall enter an order in substantially the following
"In the Matter of Admission of _________________________________ to the Wyoming State
Bar. It appearing that heretofore on the _____ day of _____ , (year), the State Board
of Law Examiners filed its report recommending that the above-named applicants, having
met the requirements prescribed by law, are persons of good moral character, and of
legal age; and it further appearing to the Wyoming Supreme Court that said report should
be approved and that the applicants possess the qualifications required by law, are
persons of good moral character, and of legal age; it is ORDERED that said applicants be
and hereby are, admitted to practice as attorneys and counselors at law in all of the
courts of this state upon taking the oath prescribed by the court and with the filing of
said oath with the Clerk of the Wyoming Supreme Court.
DATED this ____ day of _________, ____ .
by the Chief Justice, Wyoming Supreme Court"
[Renumbered.]
[Amended and renumbered January 21, 2010; effective April 1, 2010.]
Duty of the Clerk of the Court.
Whenever there is delivered to the Clerk of the Supreme Court an order for admission and the
proper papers described herein, the Clerk shall proceed as directed.
Successive Failure.
Any applicant that fails four Wyoming bar exams over any period of time shall not be permitted
to take any subsequent Wyoming Bar Exam until 35 months have elapsed following the date the
last preceding Wyoming Bar Exam was taken by the applicant.
SECTION IIIADMISSION ON MOTION OR BY TRANSFER OF UBE SCORE
The Board may recommend to the Court admission without examination in Wyoming of those attorneys who
satisfy the criteria described in Rule 302 or Rule 306, below.
At the discretion of the Court, and upon the submission of (1) the application(s) required by
the Board certifying the qualifications of eligibility listed below, (2) all supporting data,
and (3) the necessary fees, admission may be granted to an applicant who:
Has been awarded a juris doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Letters of Law (LLB) by a
law school approved by the American Bar Association; and who
Is not now nor ever has been admitted to the practice of law in Wyoming or, if
previously admitted, one whose membership was withdrawn; and who
Has been admitted to practice as an attorney in the highest court in any state,
territory or district of the United States by passing a written examination as
required by such other state, territory or district; and who
Has engaged in the active, authorized practice of law in one or more states,
territories or districts for five of the seven years immediately preceding the
date of the application and is currently engaged in the active, authorized
practice of law in one of the jurisdictions to which the applicant is admitted;
Has not been denied on motion to practice law in Wyoming or been allowed to
withdraw an application due to questions raised by the Board on character and
fitness within the last two years; and who
Has not previously engaged in the unauthorized practice of law; and who
Has engaged in the active, authorized practice of law for a minimum of 300
hours per year for five of the seven years immediately preceding the date of
application, in a jurisdiction that grants bar admission without bar examination,
including a local essay, administration of the MBE or any performance test,
to attorneys licensed in Wyoming on the basis of practice in Wyoming; and who
Has shown that the applicant has met all such other requirements as may be
appropriately prescribed by the Board to demonstrate qualification, character
and fitness to practice law; and who
Has never taken and failed the Wyoming Bar Examination; and who
Is currently a member in good standing in all jurisdictions where admitted; and who
Is not currently subject to lawyer discipline or the subject of a pending disciplinary matter in any other jurisdiction.
(Amended March 21, 2006, Effective July 1, 2006; Amended October 30, 2012, Effective October 30, 2012, Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
Definitions of the Active, Authorized Practice of Law.
For purposes of this section, the "active, authorized practice of law" shall
refer to the following sectors of practice:
As a significant and primary occupation, serving as an attorney for fees or
payment from one or more clients, including individuals, legal service programs,
trusts, partnerships and non-governmental corporations;
Serving as an attorney in governmental employment in the law offices of the
executive, legislative or judicial departments of the United States, including
the independent agencies thereof, or of any state, political subdivision of the
state, territory, special district or municipality of the United States,
provided that graduation from an ABA-accredited law school is a required
qualification of such employment;
Teaching, as a full-time faculty member, a law course or courses at one or more
ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, its territories or districts;
Serving as a judge in a court of the United States, a court of record of a
state, territory or district of the United States, provided such employment is
available only to licensed attorneys who have graduated from an ABA-accredited
For the purposes of this section, the "active, authorized practice of law" shall
consist of the following primary duties:
Furnishing legal counsel;
Drafting legal documents and pleadings;
Interpreting and giving advice regarding the law and legal issues; and
Preparing, trying or presenting cases before courts, departments of government,
bureaus or administrative agencies.
Each applicant for admission under this rule shall establish to the satisfaction
of the Board that the applicant has engaged in the active, authorized practice
of law for five of the seven years immediately preceding the date of
Applications, Fees and Filing Deadlines.
An application for admission on motion shall consist of two parts:
a questionnaire and affidavit for applicants seeking admission on motion
prescribed or approved by the Board, and
a character investigation performed by or for the National Conference of Bar
The questionnaire and affidavit prescribed or approved by the Board shall be
submitted with all supporting data required by the Board to determine
eligibility under Rule 302, above. Supporting data to the application shall
A certificate of good standing from the highest court for each jurisdiction in
which the applicant is admitted to practice law;
A Certificate by a judge or hearing officer of a tribunal of record of such other state, territory or district before which the applicant has practiced law; or
A Certificate by a member in good standing of the Bar of the State of Wyoming for at least 10 continuous years that the applicant is a person of good character and reputation, and competent legal ability; or
Two Certificates from any officer of a court in the applicant’s current resident bar, provided that no such Certificate shall be submitted by any family member or client of the applicant, or by any two individuals within the same firm.
As used in subparts (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Rule, a “Certificate” shall be a sworn statement which shall include, at a minimum, the maker's acquaintance with the applicant, the facts and circumstances of such acquaintance, and a positive and unqualified statement that the applicant is a worthy, fit and proper person to perform and accept the obligations and responsibilities of a member of the Bar. Such Certificate shall be in a form and content approved by the Board.
Verification of 45 hours of approved or approvable course work in Continuing
Legal Education during the three years immediately preceding the application for
admission to the Wyoming Bar;
Two authorization and release forms; and
Proof the applicant has passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam with the score
required by the Court to be achieved by successful examination applicants.
The Board shall, in each case, give consideration to such certificates of moral
character it has required along with the character report by the National
Conference of Bar Examiners and shall, either directly or indirectly or through
the Committee, make independent inquiry and investigation as to the applicant's
moral character and fitness to be a member of the Bar. The Board may, either
directly or through the Committee, at its discretion, hold further proceedings
with the applicant as described in Section IV and shall thereafter report to the
Court the results of its findings, together with its recommendation. The Court
may on its own motion make such further inquiry and investigation as it deems
Applications for admission on motion shall be accompanied by a fee established
by the Board and the Court and, in addition, the fee required to obtain a
Character Report from the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional
investigation fees may be required by the Board, including but not limited to,
the expenses necessary for the Board and/or the Committee to obtain records and
documents and the fee necessary to pay the services of an investigator, if
deemed of assistance to the Board and/or Committee.
Completed applications are to be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
(Amended October 30, 2012, Effective October 30, 2012, Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
Reviews of Applicants for Admission on Motion.
An applicant for admission on motion may be admitted to the practice of law in
Wyoming at the discretion of the court once the Board has received the necessary
fees, reviewed the application and motion, together with all supporting data and
has forwarded its recommendation to the court, which will act on the
recommendation in a timely manner. Any fraudulent act or misrepresentation in
connection with the application shall be sufficient cause for the revocation of
a subsequent order admitting the applicant to practice. Pursuant to Rule 302(g),
an applicant for admission on motion who has not practiced for five of the seven
years immediately preceding the date of the application in a jurisdiction that
grants bar admission to attorneys licensed in Wyoming on the basis of practice
in Wyoming shall not be eligible for admission on proof of practice elsewhere.
(Amended January 21, 2010, effective April 1, 2010; Amended December 15, 2011, effective January 2, 2012, Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
Rule 306.
Admission by Transfer of Uniform Bar Examination Score.
UBE transfer applicants are those applicants who have taken the Uniform Bar Examination
(UBE) in another jurisdiction. It is the applicant's sole responsibility to contact the
National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) to initiate steps for the transfer of the
applicant’s UBE score.
Eligibility. A UBE transfer applicant may be admitted without further examination if
the applicant earned a score that is passing under the scoring requirements contained
in Rule 211(c). The applicant’s UBE score must be earned at an examination that was
conducted less than three years prior to application for admission. A score is considered
to have been earned on the date of administration of the UBE that resulted in the score.
An applicant who failed to earn the score required by Rule 211(c) in four or fewer attempts,
regardless of where the UBE was taken, shall not be eligible for admission by transfer of
UBE score. The UBE transfer applicant must also meet the eligibility requirements contained
in Rule 302(a),(b),(e),(f),(h),(j), and (k).
An application for admission by transfer of UBE score shall consist of two parts:
a questionnaire and affidavit for applicants seeking transfer of UBE score prescribed or
a character investigation performed by or for the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
The questionnaire and affidavit prescribed or approved by the Board shall be submitted
with all supporting data required by the Board to determine eligibility under this rule.
Supporting data shall include proof the applicant has passed the Multistate Professional
Responsibility Exam with the score required by Rule 211(b).
An applicant for admission by transfer of UBE score may be admitted to the practice of law in Wyoming at the discretion of the Court once the Board has received the necessary fees, reviewed the application and motion, together with all supporting data and has forwarded its recommendation to the Court, which will act on the recommendation in a timely manner. Any fraudulent act or misrepresentation in connection with the application shall be sufficient cause for the revocation of a subsequent order admitting the applicant to practice.
Applicants admitted pursuant to this Rule 306 shall be required to complete the continuing
legal education requirements for new admittees set out in Rule 4(b) of the Rules of the
Wyoming State Board of Continuing Legal Education.
(Amended December 14, 2012, effective December 14, 2012, Amended January 21, 2014, effective January 21, 2014.)
INVESTIGATIONS TO DETERMINE CHARACTER AND
FITNESS OF BAR APPLICANTS
Every applicant to take the bar examination or for admission on motion must
produce satisfactory evidence to the Board of good moral character and an
adequate knowledge of the standards and ideals of the profession and that such
person is otherwise fit to practice law within the State of Wyoming. The
applicant shall have the burden of proving that the applicant is possessed of
good moral character and is fit to practice law. The primary purposes of
character and fitness screening before admission to the Bar are to assure the
protection of the public and safeguard the justice system. The Board shall not
recommend an applicant be admitted to practice law if the Board believes that
such applicant would, if admitted to practice law in Wyoming, be unable or
unwilling to act in accordance with the standards set forth in the Wyoming Rules
of Professional Conduct, and to act fairly, honestly, reasonably and with
unquestionable integrity in all matters in which he or she acts as an attorney
The revelation or discovery of any of the following may be treated by the Board
as cause for non-recommendation or for further inquiry before the Board decides
whether the applicant possesses the character and fitness to practice law:
Making or procuring any false or misleading statement or omission of relevant
information, including any false or misleading statement or omission on the
application for admission to the Bar, or any amendment, or in any testimony or
sworn statement submitted to the Board or the Committee;
Violation of an order of the court;
Denial of admission to the bar in another jurisdiction on character and fitness
Disciplinary action by a lawyer disciplinary agency or other professional
disciplinary agency of any jurisdiction;
Any other conduct which reflects adversely upon the character or fitness of the
Prior to recommendation to the Court that an applicant be admitted to practice
law in Wyoming, the Board shall, either directly or through the Committee, make
such investigation as it deems necessary into the applicant's character,
reputation and background. Each applicant shall provide written authority to the
Board to conduct such investigation, and each applicant shall authorize all
persons with information about the applicant to furnish the Board with such
information and documents as it may request. The authority granted by an
applicant shall expire upon the applicant's admission to the practice of law in
Wyoming, denial of the application, or upon the applicant's written withdrawal
The Board, the Committee, or their delegates may contact all persons who may
have information which the Board or Committee believes will be relevant to the
determination of the applicant's fitness to practice law. Further, the Board may
provide for the appointment of local committees on character and fitness to
investigate the background of any applicant who has worked, resided or attended
school in the judicial district. The reports of local committees shall include
the facts found during their investigations but shall not include any
To supplement the character report of the National Conference of Bar Examiners
for applicants for admission on motion, the Board, the Committee, or their
delegates may contact persons listed as references on an applicant's character
report, the judge providing requisite certification of character and fitness, an
attorney's previous employer(s) for the five years next preceding the filing of
the application, an applicant's current or former law partners, fellow LLC or
LLP members, fellow shareholders or other persons associated with the applicant
in the practice of law, or such other persons as may offer relevant information
regarding the applicant's ability and fitness to assume the duties and
responsibilities of a member of the Bar.
In making the determination on character and fitness of each applicant, the
following factors should be considered in assigning weight and significance to
prior conduct of the applicant:
The reliability of the information;
The applicant's candor in the admissions process;
The materiality of any omissions or misrepresentations. No person shall be
recommended for admission to the Bar who has not reached the age of majority.
Informal Conferences, Permissive Withdrawal of Applications, Reapplication.
In the Board's sole discretion, the Board, the Committee, or some other agent or
representative under contract with the Board, may act in the first instance as
to any applicant without requiring the applicant to appear before the Board. The
Board, the Committee, or the agent or representative of the Board or Committee
may also require the applicant, together with the applicant's counsel if the
applicant so desires, to appear before the Board or Committee in informal
conference, be sworn and be questioned. If after such action or appearance the
Board shall not be prepared to certify the applicant, it shall promptly notify
the applicant that it cannot certify that the applicant is of approved good
moral character and general fitness to practice law. Such notice shall be sent
to the applicant by certified mail, with return receipt requested, to the
applicant's last address on file with the Board and to the Clerk of the Court.
Such notice shall also be sent to the applicant's counsel, if any.
The informal conference provided for in this Rule may be held before a single
attorney member of the Board or Committee appointed for such purpose by the
Board or Committee Chair, or before a quorum of the Board or Committee as a
With the permission of the Board and subject to such conditions as the Board may
impose, an applicant may withdraw his/her application before a final
recommendation on such application has been filed by the Board with the Court.
Further, the Board or the Committee may deem an application withdrawn if the
applicant fails to provide additional or supplemental information within 60 days
of its having been requested, unless a longer response time is allowed the
Any applicant whose application has either been withdrawn or deemed withdrawn
shall not be eligible to file a new application for admission for a period of
two years following the effective date of such withdrawal. In the event of a
reapplication, any information obtained from any previous filing may be
considered by the Board and the Committee.
The applicant shall have the right to file with the Board a written request for
reconsideration and hearing within 30 days after receipt of the notice described
in Rule 403. Such request shall be verified by the applicant that all statements
contained therein are true, on the applicant's own knowledge, or on the basis of
information furnished to the applicant. Failure to file a timely request for
reconsideration shall constitute a waiver of any right to reconsideration, and
the applicant shall be deemed to have abandoned the application.
The request for reconsideration filed by the applicant shall state all grounds
upon which the applicant intends to rely and shall allege facts which, if true,
would establish an abuse of discretion or improper conduct on the part of the
Board, the Committee or their agents or representatives.
Upon receipt by the Board of the request for reconsideration and hearing, a
hearing shall be granted by the Board under the following procedure:
The Board shall notify the applicant and the Committee of the date, time and
place of such hearing;
The Board shall notify the applicant and the Committee of the general subject of
the inquiry;
The Board shall notify the applicant of the applicant's right to be represented
by counsel at the hearing, to examine and cross-examine witnesses, to adduce
evidence bearing on the aforesaid adverse matters and general fitness to
practice law, and for such purposes to make reasonable use of the Board's
subpoena powers; and
The Board shall notify the Committee and the applicant of the right of the
Committee to participate in the hearing as a party.
The hearings before the Board shall be private unless the applicant requests
they be public. The hearings shall be conducted in a formal manner, with the
applicant having the rights set forth in this section. In any proceedings, the
burden of proof shall be on the applicant to establish the applicant is
possessed of good moral character and general fitness to practice law. The Board
and the Committee shall each have the authority at their discretion, to retain
an attorney to represent them in the matter. The attorney(s) shall be entitled
to access all information to the extent required for purposes of the
The Board shall not be bound by the formal rules of evidence. It may, in its
discretion, take evidence in other than testimonial form, having the right to
rely upon records and other materials furnished to the Board in response to its
request for assistance in its inquiries. The Board may, in its further
discretion, determine whether evidence to be taken in testimonial form shall be
taken in person at the hearing or upon deposition, but all testimonial evidence
shall in either event be taken under oath. A record of the hearing shall be
Procedure for Conduct of Formal Hearings.
In order to assist in the orderly conduct of formal hearings, the following procedural
guidelines shall be applicable. Such proceedings are neither civil nor criminal but are
sui generis. Except as specified herein, the provisions of the Wyoming Rules of Civil
Procedure shall not apply. The Board is not bound by the formal Rules of Evidence.
However, any issue of fact must be proved by evidence that is clear and convincing.
Pleadings. -
The docket for all hearings before the Board shall be maintained at the office
of the Bar. All original pleadings shall be filed with the Executive Director of
the Bar. The form, style and content of all pleadings shall be: "In The Matter
of An Application Before The Board".
Service of Notice or Any Other Pleading. -
All pleadings or other notices shall be served upon the Board and the Character
and Fitness Committee by delivery of duplicate copies of such pleadings to the
Executive Director of the Wyoming State Bar by personal service or by regular
mail addressed to the Executive Director at the office of the Wyoming State Bar.
Service of any pleading or other notice upon an applicant shall be by personal
service or by regular mail, addressed to the applicant at his or her place of
residence as stated in his or her application unless otherwise provided in the
Rules or these guidelines. However, the applicant can direct that all notices be
sent to his or her personal attorney by regular mail, in the alternative.
Discovery. -
Discovery shall be permitted as provided by the Wyoming Rules of Civil
Procedure. Disputes concerning the scope and any other aspect of discovery shall
be determined by the Presiding Officer of the Board or Hearing Officer chosen by
the Board to conduct the hearing. All discovery orders are interlocutory and may
not be appealed prior to the entry of the final decision by the board.
At the discretion of the Board or Hearing Officer, a prehearing conference may
be ordered. Applicant and/or applicant's attorney and the Committee and/or
Committee's attorney shall submit a memorandum containing the following:
A brief statement of the issues;
Disputed issues of fact;
Names and addresses, together with a statement of the testimony to be elicited.
If depositions are to be submitted, identify the portions to be submitted;
All exhibits proposed to be used at the hearing;
Any discovery that remains prior to the hearing; and
Any points of law deemed important.
The chair or hearing officer shall, at the written request of the applicant,
Board, Committee or counsel for applicant, Board or Committee, issue a subpoena
for any witness or witnesses. The style of the subpoena shall be: "The State of
Wyoming. In the Matter of an Application by Motion Before the Board", the time
and place at which the witness is required to appear, and the person or official
body at whose insistence the witness is summoned. It shall be signed by the
presiding chairperson or hearing officer, and the date of issuance shall be
noted thereon. The subpoena may command the person to whom it is directed to
produce books, papers, documents, or other tangible things designated therein.
Subpoenas shall be executed and returned after service to the Bar office prior
to the hearing. The subpoena shall be served by personally serving a copy of
such subpoena to the witness. Witnesses are entitled to the same witness fees
and mileage as provided witnesses in the district court. All subpoenas shall be
issued in the name of the Board of the Bar. Failure to comply with any subpoena
issued as provided shall subject the party served to any penalty provided by
Conduct of Formal Hearings. -
Any member of the Board or hearing officer sitting at the hearing may administer
The applicant shall have the right to be represented by counsel, to submit
evidence, and shall have the right of cross-examination. The applicant or
applicant's attorney shall present evidence on behalf of the applicant at the
hearing. The attorney for the Board or Committee may present evidence. Any
member of the Board or the hearing officer shall make all evidentiary and
procedural rulings.
The formal hearing may be tape recorded or stenographically recorded and may be
conducted without adherence to the Wyoming Rules of Evidence. Neither the manner
of conducting the hearing nor the failure to adhere to the Rules of Evidence
shall be grounds for reversing any decision by the Board or hearing officer,
provided the evidence supporting such decision is substantial, reliable, and
probative. Irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence shall be
Copies of documentary evidence may be received at the discretion of the Chair or
Notice may be taken of judicially cognizable facts.
Testimony may be received by deposition or by phone at the hearing by the Board
or hearing officer.
The Board or hearing officer may allow the taking of additional evidence while
the matter is still pending before it. The Board or Hearing Officer may continue
the hearing or enter an order regarding the submission of additional materials.
If a quorum of the Board is present at the formal hearing, a decision can be
rendered. If a quorum of the Board is not present, the record shall be made
available to all members, and thereafter a decision shall be made by a quorum of
the Board as soon as practicable.
Findings and Conclusions. -
The Board's final decision as to the hearing shall be in writing. If the Board
recommends against admission, it shall make separate Findings of Fact. The
Board's final decision shall be mailed to the applicant at the applicant's last
known address by certified mail, return receipt requested, and a copy shall be
mailed to the applicant's attorney of record, if applicable. A copy of the
Board's decision shall also be made available to the Committee or any attorney
representing the Board or Committee.
Appeals. -
An applicant aggrieved by the final decision of the Board may within 30 days of
such occurrence file a Verified Petition for Review with the Court. The petition
shall succinctly and briefly state the facts that form the basis of the
complaint and applicant's reasons for believing the court should review the
A copy of said petition shall be promptly served upon the Executive Director for
the Bar. The Executive Director, within 30 days of such service, shall transmit
the applicant's file, including all findings and reports prepared by or for the
Board and a response to the petition fully advising the Court as to the Board's
reasons for its decision and admitting or contesting any assertions made by the
applicant in said petition.
The original petition and petitioner's brief together with six copies of each
shall be sent to the Court. A copy of the petition and brief shall be served on
the Executive Director of the Wyoming State Bar. Failure to file a petition
within the time provided may be deemed a consent to the determination on the
merits based upon the record of the hearing.
To the extent practicable, the procedures governing an appeal by an applicant
for admission to the practice of law from a final decision of the Board shall be
governed by the rules set forth in Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Reapplication after Denial.
The Board shall not accept a new application from an applicant who has received a
recommendation of denial based on the applicant's fitness to practice law until two
years have elapsed from of the date a tentative order of denial becomes final, a final
decision is issued after a hearing and not appealed, or a final decision is affirmed by
the Court, the latest of which date is applicable.
Any applicant who asserts rehabilitation, from prior conduct which bears adversely upon such
person's character and fitness for admission to the bar, shall be required to produce clear
and convincing evidence of such rehabilitation, including, but not limited to, the
Strict compliance with the specific conditions of any disciplinary, judicial,
administrative or other order, where applicable;
Unimpeachable character and moral standing in the community;
Lack of malice and ill feeling toward those who by duty were compelled to bring
about the disciplinary, judicial, administrative or other proceeding;
Personal assurances, supported by corroborating evidence, of a desire and
intention to conduct one's self in an exemplary fashion in the future;
Positive action showing rehabilitation by such things as a person's occupation,
religion, community or civic service. Merely showing that an individual is now
living as and doing those things he or she should have done throughout life,
although necessary to prove rehabilitation, does not prove that the individual
has undertaken a useful and constructive place in society. The requirement of
positive action is appropriate for applicants for admission to the Bar because
service to one's community is an implied obligation of members of the Bar.