Mandatory Course Notice

Notice about the Mandatory Course

New Admittees:

This course is a post-admission requirement and may not be taken before the member is sworn in (admitted) to the D.C. Bar. The course is available as an on-demand, online course, and is also offered twice per year to coincide with the two in-person swearing-in ceremonies held at the D.C.  Court of Appeals. The Course must be completed by all new admittees within 12 months after the month of admission to the Bar. Any new member  who fails to complete the Mandatory Course within 14 months after the month of admission to the Bar shall be administratively suspended from membership to the D.C. Bar and is prohibited from practicing law in the District of Columbia.

Any new D.C. Bar member otherwise in good standing who is administratively suspended for failure to complete the course on D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct and D.C. Practice shall be reinstated as a member of the D.C. Bar upon completion of the Mandatory Course and fulfillment of such other administrative requirements as the Bar’s Board of Governors may impose.

Click here to view Article 4 of the D.C. Bar’s Bylaws.

Other Members:
Through Article III of the D.C. Bar’s Bylaws, the course requirement is a prerequisite to any member of the Bar who wishes to change to an Active status after 5 or more years of being in any Inactive or Judicial status. A member will be required to take the Course if:

• The member has held an Inactive, Judicial, Resigned, or Retired status for five years or more and now wishes to be an Active member/be reinstated.
• The member is suspended because of
  • non-payment of dues for five years or more; or
  • failure to file a resignation statement.

Click here to view Article III of the D.C. Bar Bylaws.