Second Report of the Task Force on the New York Bar Examination - The Coronavirus and Bar Examination Administration - March 30, 2020

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aladdin

Second Report of the Task Force on the New York Bar Examination explains how the Adoption of the Uniform Bar Examination and the COVID-19 public health emergency intersect with the July 2020 Bar examination administration. It reviews actions by New York leadership to restrict gatherings and court operations, describes the impact on students facing anxiety, disrupted employment, and debt burdens, and outlines that forecasting reopening timelines is uncertain. The report presents recommendations, including postponing the exam and administering it proximate to Labor Day, reflecting best judgment based on information available at the time.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Executive background

Formation and reporting timeline

COVID-19 emergency measures in New York

Effects on law students and employment

Recommendations for the July 2020 exam

Postponement and Labor Day administration

Dependence on NCBE and UBE scheduling

Second Report of the Task Force on the New York Bar Examination: The Coronavirus and Bar Examination Administration March 30, 2020 The Task Force on the New York Bar Examination (“Task Force”) was formed in April, 2019 by then-President of the New York State Bar Association Michael Miller to study and report on the impact in New York of the Adoption of the Uniform Bar Examination. The Task Force issued its Report on March 5, 2020 and the Report is scheduled to be presented at the April 3, 2020 meeting of the Association’s Executive Committee and the April 4, 2020 meeting of the Association’s House of Delegates. On March 7, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an Executive Order declaring that a disaster emergency in New York State due to the onset of the novel coronavirus (COVID- 19) . 1 As the COVID-19 virus spread rapidly through the State and beyond, the Governor took a variety of actions to limit the contagion through restrictions on public assembly and nonessential public and private activity. In the light of the Governor’s pronouncements and the serious public health crisis existing throughout the State, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks issued a memorandum on March 13, 2020 outlining actions taken to limit high-volume court proceedings. Two days later, with the public health crisis growing to pandemic proportions, Chief Administrative Judge Marks issued an order limiting all the courts ofthe State to essential operations only, effective March 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. As of March 29, 2020, the coronavirus has continued to spread throughout the United 1 Executive Order No. 202. States, with our country now having more cases of infection than any other country in the world.2 New York State has been especially hard hit, with our State having nearly one-half of the reported cases nationwide. Governor Cuomo has stated that experts project that the apex of the pandemic in New York may still be 14 to 21 days away. 3 The Governor has ordered schools in New York to remain closed at least through April 15, 2020.4 While the major threat to public health and safety posed by the coronavirus, which is causing a rapidly compounding number of deaths and serious illnesses, may loom much larger than the disruption caused to otherwise healthy people, it is nevertheless the responsibility of the New York State Bar Association to champion and advocate for the interests ofthe legal profession. To that end, President Henry M. Greenberg requested that the Task Force consider the impact of the current health crisis upon the July 2020 administration of the Bar examination. We have endeavored to address these issues promptly as we are acutely aware of the anxiety and uncertainty that law school students who are graduating in the Spring 2020 are experiencing. In the best of times, graduating law school students may be apprehensive as to finding a position, starting a position, relocating and studying for the bar examination and as to consequences of the test results. This year, because of the existing public health crisis and related limitations on law practices, both public and private, there are reports that job offers have been or will be delayed or withdrawn, compensation may be re-examined, and general employment start dates may be adjusted. Worse, these economic dislocations come at a time when so many law school students are burdened with significant debt from student loans for both college and law school. 2 Maxouris, New York May Be Weeks Away from a Peak in Coronavirus Cases, CNN, updated 2:41 p. m., March 28, 2020. 3 Id. 4 Executive Order 202 . 11, dated March 27, 2020. We are also very much aware that it is presently impossible to forecast with certainty when the current restrictions on social distancing may be lifted. The present health crisis has not yet reached its apex in New York and other parts of the country may only now be approaching the initial period of infection tha

FAQs

When was the Task Force formed and when did it issue its report?

The Task Force was formed in April 2019 and issued its report on March 5, 2020.

What major actions did New York officials take in response to COVID-19 restrictions?

The Governor declared a disaster emergency and imposed restrictions on public assembly and activities, and court leadership issued measures limiting proceedings to essential operations effective March 16, 2020.

What is the Task Force’s recommendation for the July 2020 Bar examination?

The report recommends postponing the July 2020 Bar examination and administering it proximate to Labor Day 2020, while addressing uncertainty about rescheduled dates.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aladdin

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