Comments on: New York Judges Deny Admission to Bar for Lawyer With $400,000 in Student Loans

By: Jeff Golin

Jeff Golin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:37:24 +0000

Probaby Republican judges who viewed this young upstart as thinking expected everything to be handed to him on a platter just like rich people, and should have gone through school the way they did, on Daddy’s money. Struggling is so pathetic. Poor people should know their places in the world and not dare to trespass into the sacred hallows of the gentlemens’ clubs.

By: Martin Mazzotti

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By: Former Federal LEO

Former Federal LEO — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:34:04 +0000

Man teknikAL that is what I call kicking a man when he is down. With the currnt health care crisis, I just see more stories like yours and Mr. Bowman’s. We people who are healtly certainly take our health for granted. Did your congressperson help you?

Good luck.

By: teknikAL

teknikAL — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:19:38 +0000

I fully empathize with this man and find it very unfair. I too took a long time to get my degree and only totaled up $30,000 in debt (plus $20000 in interest and penalties due to disability). I suffered two serious medical problems that left me “permanently partially” disabled. Salle Mae also has charged me interest, penalties and denied me deferment or forbearance. They also took my last deferment when I declared bankruptcy from a persistent disability. It is almost impossible to clear it up without your Congress person getting involved.

Too many things are stacked against anyone who has a disability or illness, and this is just piling on.

By: Carlyle Moulton

Carlyle Moulton — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:14:02 +0000

It is important to reserve elite professions such as that of lawyer for those from wealthy families who do not need to borrow to fund their education. The court decision is in agreement with traditional right wing political morality.

By: KathyW

KathyW — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:18:59 +0000

I wonder how much of his debt is medical-related. Chalk another one up to our viciously greedy medical system.

By: Gary T

Gary T — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:13:53 +0000

Obviously idiotic decision for all the reasons above.
Owing money alone is immoral turpitude? Is he late on payments?
Was there ever a prior notice to aspiring attorneys that if you applied while owing a certain amount, you would be denied?
I think, among the prior torts he had, he should have a due process violation issue with this panel, in federal court.

It is unprecedented and stupid. Obviously some kind of subjective, prejudicial motivation.

Plain wrong.

By: Anonymously Yourss

Anonymously Yourss — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:27:34 +0000

And to say we do not have debtors prisons?

By: mespo727272

mespo727272 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:36:33 +0000

And Giuliani keeps his New York law license?

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:32:48 +0000

I’m thinking this man needs to hire a lawyer. If being in debt to the tune of $400,000 means you don’t meet the standard for being a righteous atty., then why isn’t the “Association” checking everyone’s debt level? Why is student loan debt (over $399,000?) immoral but every other kind of debt is O.K.? I hadn’t realized one must hand over one’s financial records to become an atty. or continue to practice law. If so, what are the standards, how are they applied and who enforces them? I agree with lottakatz. I also thought the US didn’t participate in debtors prison. May Xenu strike them harshly with his mighty lightening!

By: lottakatz

lottakatz — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:28:05 +0000

I thought student loans were in some respect supposed to encourage the most expensive and education intensive professions toward a diverse meritocracy and away from high paying clubs for legacy admissions and the wealthy. Maybe I misunderstood.

By: Mike Spindell

Mike Spindell — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:44:28 +0000

Clearly, on the face of it there was an unfair abuse committed against this man. What is puzzling to me is the why of it, in the face of seemingly exculpatory circumstances. I can’t help but thinking that there was something about this man that those on The New York Committee on Character and Fitness found but were loath to express, so they used the debt. I don’t mean to imply that there was something wrong with Mr. Bowman, but that the Committee was being more subjective than objective.

By: Mike Appleton

Mike Appleton — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:32:07 +0000

I find this decision grossly unfair. This man has shown remarkable perseverance in pursuing his goals. If the bar had any legitimate concerns, the solution would have been a conditional admission, a procedure I know to be available in Florida. I am not familiar with New York requirements, but it certainly appears that the court in this instance abused its discretion.

By: Matthew N

Matthew N — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:14:14 +0000

I’m surprised this guy was able to finish school and pass the bar at all considering the injuries he has had. $400,000 is definitely way more than anyone should go in debt for school, but with all this man has gone through it may have been necessary.

By: Former Federal LEO

Former Federal LEO — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:22:14 +0000

This is astoundingly unfair. They just deprived Mr. Bowman of his livelihood. Regarding self-support, this is analogous to those countries that sever the hands of a thief thereby ensuring that he will remain unemployable and a ward of the State or a beggar, at best.

By: Jim Byrne

Jim Byrne — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:12:40 +0000

I think less of a man who is unwilling to pay his debts, but I despise those who refuse to grant him the opportunity, simply because he has debt.

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:28:50 +0000

“the character and general fitness requisite for an attorney and counselor-at-law.”

You mean like those six guys on trial for war crimes in Spain?

By: Dredd

Dredd — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:56:41 +0000

That is so unfair and bogus.

Take note bankers of America, you can’t become New York Lawyers. Better move to D.C. I suppose …

http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2009/06/uncertainty-in-power-and-say.html