Attorney Swearing-In Ceremony To Be Held Remotely

(INDIANAPOLIS) – The Indiana SuprBthe Court will host the Spring 2020 Bar Admission Ceremony remotely. The approximately one and a half-hour ceremony will be live streamed at 10 a.m. on May 5th.

Originally, the ceremony was scheduled for May 19 at an Indianapolis events center, but due to social distancing measures, that became unrealistic. Chief Justice Loretta Rush spoke with her state and federal court colleagues, saying “We agree it is important to expedite our timeline for administering the oath. This is a joyous occasion for the new lawyers and their families, and this remote ceremony is a celebration of their success and potential.”

New lawyers traditionally introduce themselves to the state and federal court judges in attendance during the in-person ceremony. The tradition will continue during the remote ceremony, so that the judges and admittees’ family members can see them online. Admittees will also recite the oath over the videoconference, sign, and submit it electronically, acknowledging their obligations to the profession.

Nearly 100 admittees are eligible to take part in the remote ceremony. Those admittees already received invitation details; if they have questions they should contact Tina Hopson.

The Supreme Court’s Office of Admissions and Continuing Education certifies that admittees have fulfilled the requirements for admission, which includes passing the bar exam. The exam is administered twice a year. Information on considerations underway for the summer exam are explained in a court order. A website with information on the judicial branch response to the pandemic also includes information.