CHARACTER & FITNESS

BAR APPLICANTS

WE CAN HELP WITH CHARACTER AND FITNESS QUESTIONS

Completing the admissions process to become a licensed attorney in Colorado, including the bar exam application and the character and fitness portion, can be stressful. COLAP does not provide legal advice but does help applicants process their character and fitness concerns, answer questions about the general application process, and direct applicants to resources they can access during this process.

If you have taken the Bar Exam, but did not pass this time, please watch this video below for more information on resources and support, and to hear from successful judges and attorneys who also needed a do-over.

REASONS TO CALL COLAP

Educational information about the admissions process.
Well-being support referrals for mental health, peer support, stress management, exam-related anxiety or substance use.
Voluntary monitoring agreements to support and document recovery activities.
Support for re-taking the bar exam.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A licensed clinician and admissions specialist will schedule your free and confidential consultation. During the consultation session, COLAP staff will discuss your questions about the admission process, particularly those relating to character and fitness. If applicable, we will provide you with tailored resources that may be helpful. Please note that COLAP staff cannot answer questions about logistical or technical issues related to the on-line application portal or software. If you have technical questions, click here.

Resources for Law Students

Colorado Specific Resources

Office of Attorney Admissions

Toolkit for Bar Exam Re-Takers from the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP)

National Resources

ABA Mental Health & Substance Abuse Toolkit for Law Students

ABA Path to Law Student Well-Being Podcast Series

Confidentiality

All communications with COLAP are privileged and held in the strictest confidence.

Members of the legal community can be reluctant to seek assistance for behavioral health, well-being, and career-related issues. The Colorado Supreme Court addressed this concern by making COLAP a separate and independent agency.

In addition, pursuant to Rule 254, the court mandated that all communications with COLAP are “privileged and held in the strictest confidence.”

COLAP is prohibited from disclosing any information without a signed release from the individual it pertains to, and information shared with COLAP cannot be used as evidence in complaints, investigations, or in legal or disciplinary proceedings. Reaching out to COLAP cannot negatively impact your license, career, or personal relationships; but not reaching out might.