I'm officially a lawyer

Almost seven months after finishing the Colorado Bar Exam, about 4 1/2 months after learning I'd passed, and over 10 weeks since my application for admission was officially approved, I just minutes ago took the Colorado Attorney Oath of Admission -- administered by Judge Susano here in Tennessee -- and thus I am now officially, finally, a lawyer. (Alas, in a rare oversight, I didn't think to get a photo or video of myself being sworn in. Uh-oh: does that mean it didn't happen?)

Of course, the Colorado Bar doesn't know yet that I'm its newest member. I still have to send them my signed oath form in the mail, along with a bunch of other paperwork. But I think that mailing, and everything that follows it -- the receipt of my license, etc. -- is just a formality. I believe that, as of today, I could, if I wanted to, jump on a plane to Denver and, upon my arrival, dispense legal advice. :) More consequentially, I believe I can now accurately describe myself on a resumé as "certified to practice law in the state of Colorado."

The long delay, by the way, wasn't engendered by some character & fitness problem or anything like that. My formal approval was delayed first by the need to fly out to Denver for that CLE ethics class, and then by delays in sending in my driving records (which are perfectly clean, I just procrastinated the process a bit), and then it took me forever to deal with all the back-and-forth paperwork that was necessary for me to take the oath out-of-state. I didn't really have much motivation to hurry, since I don't need that Colorado certification as long as I'm clerking in Tennessee. But anyway, now it's finally done, and I can call myself an attorney without any qualifications or caveats. :)

So... you may all now throw your best lawyer jokes at me! Have at it!

P.S. The next time I'm in Denver, I think it would be proper to formally celebrate my admission to the Colorado Bar by going to a Colorado bar. Kristy? V? You in? ;)

Comments

[V]

As if you need to ask.
Congrats, Brendan!

[Mindsurfer]

Uh, I think in the blog age, something has to appear in a blog to have happened.
So ... Congratulations!

[Alasdair]

MazelTov !

And congrats on achieving through your own efforts, too !

Can we call you a lawyer without any qualifications, too ?

(innocent smile)

[Marty West]

The devil walks into a law office and approaches a young lawyer trying to make partner and says: "I can make you rich beyond your wildest dream, a senior partner in this or any firm you want. All I ask is for your soul, the soul of your wife and child to be mine for all eternity."

The lawyer thinks for a minute then says to the devil: "OK, but what's the catch?"

ZING!

[dcl]

Dammit, now if I ever take power I have to kill you.

[Joe Loy]

Hee hee Marty West :)

Dane, if you ever Take Power... / nyaah, nevermind :}

Due to a Computer glitch at the Pearly Gates, an Engineer who had lived an upright & commendable life is mistakenly consigned to the Lower regions of Eternity.

Looking to make the best of an unfortunate situation, the Practical little fellow sets about designing & implementing numerous long-overdue Upgrades in the infrastructure, mass transit facilities, and Heating systems ;} of Hell.

After a couple of weeks, just as the whole Inferno is beginning to function much more efficiently than Ever, the celestial IT Auditors catch the Error and inform the Front Office.

Upon reading the report God gets the Devil on the horn :> and says "Hey there, Satan, you know that Engineer we sent Down a little while back? Yeah, him...well this is very embarrassing but it was a Mistake, he belongs up Here, so I need you to send him back."

To which Old Nick replies "OH, no. He's making a Hell of a lot of improvements down here and he's just starting to get things up & running. I need him, I got him, and I'm keeping him."

G: "Well that's all very Well but according to the Contract he's clearly Mine, notwithstanding any clerical error; so just be an Angel again for minute and send him on up will ya."

the D: "Fuggedaboudit."

G: "Now listen here, beelzeBub, you haven't got a clovenhoof to Stand on so you can ship that guy back to Me right now or else I'll sue."

the D: "Oh You will, will Ya? And where are You gonna find a lawyer?"

:)

Congratulations, Brendan. Well done. / Tomorrows & Yesterdays, etc., old kiddoe. :)

[David K.]

Well done!

What all is involved in being able to practice la in multiple States? A bar exam for each or what?

[Mad Max, Esquire]

Just resist the urge to run after ambulances as they pass by. That's all I ask.

[Derek]

Congrats. If you're not using that Bar License, can I borrow it. Most of my family lives there, but I'm only licensed in Washington State. I'd really appreciate it...my family needs a lot of legal assistance.

[Brendan Loy]

Heh. Why not, sure, I can loan you my license - what's a first day of being a lawyer without committing an ethical violation? :)

[invernessie]

Congratulations!!!

They check driving records?

[Chuck]

Congratulations Brendan.

You are indeed a lawyer, not quite an attorney.

Attorneys have clients.

:-)

Got that one from my nephew, a "lawyer" for about 8 years now. Er, I wonder if brothers count as clients. His brother always needs an attorney, always.

[jalypso]

Good Brendan very Good I believe in you!!

[DC]

Huge congrats, Brendan!

My brother is a first year at Harvard Law right now, so I feel like I know second hand what all that work must feel like and how great this must feel. Huge congrats!

[Jonathan L. Kramer, Esq.]

Brendan:

Welcome to the profession.

Jonathan Kramer, Esq.
Kramer Telecom Law Firm, PC
Los Angeles, CA

[Briandot]

Congratulations!*

*[This message was intended solely for personal congratulatory purposes and implies no legal or financial obligations such as gifts, payments, or other transfers of material goods or services between parties. All Rights Reserved.]

[I R A Darth Aggie]

Alas, in a rare oversight, I didn't think to get a photo or video of myself being sworn in. Uh-oh: does that mean it didn't happen?

Well, that means we'll have to take your word for it.

But then again, you're a dirty, filthy lawyer.

Decisions, decisions...

[Courtney]

Congrats and welcome to the Colorado bar! I'll leave those lawyer jokes for everyone else, you know they're just jealous ;)

[James Young]

Congrats, Brendan. A few thoughts:

1. The Bar Exam is a test of MINIMAL competence.

2. As a wise man once said to me, "You know, you go to a good law school, get good grades, and pass the Bar Exam on the first try, and you don't know sh** about practicing law."

and finally, some levity:

3. What does a lawyer and a sperm have in common?

Both have a one in 200 million chance of becoming a real human being some day.