Not all lawyers take the same path to getting licensed. Fortunately for those that take the road less travelled, a decision from Supreme Court for the state of Washington might help to provide some clarity as to when the road less travelled becomes the road from which there’s no coming back. In short, the court ruled that a former inmate, who is now a law grad and Skadden Fellow recipient, can actually sit for her state’s bar exam.
Previously, the moral character and fitness review board had denied the accomplished grad the chance to sit for the bar exam. However, after appealing the decision, where over 100 individuals and organizations joined as amicus in support, the state’s highest court reversed the review board’s decision.
Tarra Simmons made no effort to hide her past from the review board. Her parents struggled with drugs and alcohol. She did too. She was addicted to drugs and eventually was incarcerated on drug and theft charges.
Is Moral Character a Moving Target?
As Simmons’ counsel explained, people change. Her counsel, Shon Hopwood, is a convicted bank robber who served much more time behind bars than her 20 months. His own story reflects the fact that convicted criminals can become attorneys, and based on his success in her case, good ones too.
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