A Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP Guide to Getting Admitted to the D.C. Bar and Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law - August 2021

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa

Guide to the D.C. Bar admissions process and ongoing membership requirements under D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 46, updated through July 2021. Covers committee structure, admission by examination and reciprocity, diploma admission, character and fitness questionnaire procedures, swearing-in steps, and maintaining good standing with course and dues. Also addresses avoiding unauthorized practice of law under Rule 49 and Rule 5.5, including exceptions, disclaimers, and strategies to reduce the risk of an UPL investigation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Part 1 Getting Admitted to the D.C. Bar (Rule 46)

About the Committee on Admissions

Admission by Examination (Rule 46(b)(1)(B)(i))

Tips for Filling out your D.C. Bar Application

Admission by Reciprocity (Rule 46(b)(2)–(4))

Special Legal Consultants (Rule 46(f))

Diploma Admission

Character and Fitness Questionnaire/Supplement

Getting Admitted: The Swearing in Process

Maintaining Admission: Staying a Member in Good Standing of the D.C. Bar

Part 2 Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law (Rule 49)

Rule 49 and Rule 5.5

Exceptions

Disclaimers

How to Avoid a UPL Investigation

A Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP Guide to Getting Admitted to the D.C. Bar and Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law August 2021 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 1 PART 1 .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 GETTING ADMITTED TO THE D.C. BAR (RULE 46) .................................................................................... 1 I. About the Committee on Admissions (Updated July 2021) .......................................... 1 II. Admission by Examination, D.C. Rule 46(b)(1)(B)(i) (Updated July 2021) ................ 2 A. Eligibility ................................................................................................................. 2 B. Application and Payment....................................................................................... 3 C. Exam Structure ...................................................................................................... 4 D. Determining Pass/Fail Status ................................................................................. 5 III. Tips for Filling out your D.C. Bar Application (Updated July 2021)........................... 5 IV. Admission by Reciprocity, D.C. Rules 46(b)(2)–(4) (Updated July 2021) .................... 7 V. Special Legal Consultants, D.C. Rule 46(f) (Updated July 2021) ................................. 8 VI. Diploma Admission (Updated July 2021) ....................................................................... 8 VII. Character and Fitness Questionnaire/Supplement (Updated July 2021) .................... 9 A. Procedure............................................................................................................... 9 B. Character and Fitness Issues................................................................................ 10 C. Questions ............................................................................................................. 11 D. Additional Application Requirements.................................................................. 12 E. Supplement .......................................................................................................... 13 F. Hearing................................................................................................................. 14 G. Review by the Court............................................................................................. 14 VIII. Getting Admitted: The Swearing in Process (Updated July 2021) ............................. 15 IX. Maintaining Admission: Staying a Member in Good Standing ofthe D.C. Bar (Updated July 2021) ........................................................................................................ 17 A. Keep Your Information Up to Date ...................................................................... 17 B. Take the D.C. Bar’s Mandatory Course ................................................................ 17 C. Pay Your Annual Dues .......................................................................................... 18 PART 2 ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 AVOIDING THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW (RULE 49) ............................................................ 19 I. D.C. Rule 49 and D.C. Rule 5.5 (Updated July 2021) .................................................. 19 II. Exceptions (Updated July 2021) .................................................................................... 19 III. Disclaimers (Updated July 2021) ................................................................................... 27 IV. How to Avoi

FAQs

What is the Committee on Admissions under D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 46?

Rule 46 requires the court to appoint a Committee on Admissions, a standing committee of at least seven D.C. Bar members, with one member serving as counsel to the committee. Committee terms are for three years.

What does the guide cover for admission to the D.C. Bar?

It covers admission by examination, reciprocity, special legal consultants, diploma admission, and the character and fitness questionnaire/supplement. It also explains the swearing-in process and how to maintain admission in good standing.

How does the guide help avoid unauthorized practice of law (UPL) in D.C.?

It reviews D.C. Rule 49 and D.C. Rule 5.5, explains key exceptions, and provides disclaimers. It also offers guidance on how to reduce the likelihood of a UPL investigation.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa