Rule 20 - Process for Admission and Licensure(a)Deadlines to Satisfy Requirements for Admission. An Applicant for admission by examination must satisfy all requirements for admission no later than 2 years from the date of the examination on which the Applicant achieved a passing score, or the Application will be deemed withdrawn. An Applicant for admission by transferred UBE score must satisfy all requirements for admission no later than 2 years from the date the Application is filed, or the Application will be deemed withdrawn. An Applicant for admission without examination must satisfy all requirements for admission no later than 2 years from the date the Application is filed, or the Application will be deemed withdrawn. Upon a timely request by an Applicant and a showing of good cause, the Board may extend the deadline to satisfy the requirements for admission.(b)Motion for Admission. The Board must file with the Court a motion for admission to the Bar of those Applicants found qualified under these rules. Once the Court grants the Board's motion for admission, the Board must notify each Applicant of the Court's approval, and provide instructions and necessary forms to be completed to obtain a license to practice law in Vermont.(c)Licensure Requirements. Within 90 days after the Board sends an Applicant notice of approval, an Applicant must:(1) Take the Oaths of Admission and certify the same in the "certification of oath" form;(2) Complete and sign the required licensing statement; and(3) Submit to the Board the forms and required licensing fee under Administrative Order No. 41, §§ 1 and 4.(d)Issuance of License. Upon timely completion of the licensure requirements, a license will be issued to the Applicant. Until the license is issued, an Applicant is not licensed to practice law in Vermont.(e)Oaths of Admission.(1)Persons Qualified to Administer Oaths. The oaths of admission may be administered by:(A) Any justice of the Supreme Court, Vermont Superior Court judge, Vermont probate judge, Vermont magistrate, Vermont assistant judge, clerk or deputy of the Court, or clerk or court operations manager of the Vermont Superior Court; or(B) A justice, judge, or other equivalent judicial officer of another U.S. jurisdiction.(2)Required Oaths for Admission to Bar. Before admission to the Bar, an Applicant must take the following oaths:(A) In accordance with 12 V.S.A. §§ 5812 and 5851: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will do no falsehood, nor consent that any be done in court, and if I know of any, I will give knowledge thereof to the judges of the court or some of them, that it may be reformed; that I will not wittingly, willingly, or knowingly promote, sue, or procure to be sued, any false or unlawful suit, or give aid or consent to the same; that I will delay no person for lucre or malice, but will act in the office of attorney within the court, according to my best learning and discretion, with all good fidelity as well to the court as to my client. (If an oath:) So help me God. (If an affirmation:) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.
(B) In accordance with Chapter II, Section 56 of the Vermont Constitution: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont, and that I will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or the Government thereof. (If an oath:) So help me God. (If an affirmation:) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.
(C) Additionally: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will be true and faithful to the United States of America, and that I will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or the Government thereof. (If an oath:) So help me God. (If an affirmation:) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.
(3)Remote Administration. A person authorized to administer the oaths of admission may administer the oaths remotely, without being in the physical presence of the Applicant if the administering person can both see and hear the Applicant using audio-visual communication for the purpose of positively identifying the Applicant.Effective 4/18/2016; amended September 13, 2022 eff. 10/1/2022.Board's Notes
This rule is derived from the prior rules § 12.
The rule is a reorganization of the prior rule governing admission and licensing after approval by the Board and the Court. A new provision has been added to set deadlines for completing the requirements for admission.
Board's Notes-2022 Amendment
Rule 20(e)(3) is added to incorporate an interim measure taken during the COVID-19 pandemic to permit the oath of admission to be administered remotely in real time. Administrative Order 4 9, ¶ 15(e) allowed the oath to be administered remotely by video in real time. This procedure has been an efficient way to administer the oath without requiring Applicants to travel to the courthouse.