I took some time today to step back and reflect on all that’s happened the last few months. To be honest, I still cannot believe that after months of begging and pleading, the bar exam is still taking place, in person, in 8 days. Hundreds of applicants have contacted the NCBLE 1/

@NC_Governor, the court system, Senators, Reps, NCDHHS, the list goes on. We still advocate for a safer bar exam. When this started, NC was averaging 500-800 cases a day. Now, we are hitting nearly 2500 cases a day. It is unimaginable to me that our governor, our leaders 2/

have not stepped in to say, this isn’t right. Let’s fix this. Yet very few have publicly come to our aid. That list includes @JudgeBobOrr, @JudgeJackson @JamesPerryNC, @philbergerjr. Numerous others have told us they want to help, but without @NC_Governor stepping in, the 3/

Legislature cannot fix this. My classmates keep asking “why can’t the court step in?”. Well, the authority rests with the legislature to pass a bill to grant us some type of permanent licensure. If the NCBLE were to present rule changes to the Supreme Court, then the Court 4/

could use inherient authority to grant/deny proposed rule changes. However, @NC_Governor has many state police powers at his disposal. However, it is an election year. I believe if it wasn’t, this would have been fixed two months ago. As one great attorney told me recently, 5/

“Welcome to the profession.” And, he’s right. We as bar applicants have been thrust into a political battle where no one wants to bring down the gavel. Instead, we are in a game of hot potato; who has the power to fix this? As it stands right now, the NCBLE could call for an 6/

emergency meeting to amend the rules, and submit them to the Surpeme Court. Will they do this? It’s unlikely without bipartisan support from the House/Senate. So as I said earlier, I call on you, @JeffJacksonNC, @wileynickel, @SenatorBerger, @CynthiaforNC, @electreives, 7/

@ChazBeasley, @JamesPerryNC, @friendsforbatch, @NCHouseSpeaker, and others, to help us. Please reach out to me, and I will put you in contact with our coordinator. We need to you call on the NCBLE to hold an emergency remote public meeting, where you can be our voice. 8/

Alternatively, you can reach out to @NC_Governor or his GC, William McKenny, to express your concerns and desire to postpone the bar exam and find a better path forward. Please, PLEASE ask him why he is not stepping in to help us. Why is a speedway worth more than our lives? 9/

Why was the RNC convention worth more than our lives? Why are bowling alleys worth more of his time than our lives? To that end, I want to share some stories. This isn’t about me. It’s about us. It’s about our families. Our parents, our children, our spouses. First, I share 10/

an impact statement from an applicant with pre-existing trauma, who is gravely concerned about the bar exam. This applicant discusses financial stress and mental health concerns.
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This applicant discusses the civil rights movement taking place across America. Not only are we battling studying during a pandemic, but many applicants are triggered by these traumatic events, including the murder of George Floyd. Also discussed, financial concerns. 12/

This applicant states, “we are fighting so hard for what is so clearly right.” He/she also states it is nearly impossible to study as the world Is caving in around us. Isn’t this why we wanted to be attorneys? To fight for what is right? We wonder why our leaders aren’t. 13/

This applicant is a single parent to a child with a pre-existing condition. He/she states that we simply do not know the long term effects of this virus, and what will happen if their child becomes ill. 14/

This applicant was born with a genetic birth defect that causes a weakened immune system. He/she has been isolating to avoid infection. This person takes corticosteroids for this genetic condition that make it harder for their body to fight sickness. 15/

This applicant lives with his/her elderly father who has significant health concerns. They are careful when they must visit public spaces and concerned to bring the virus home. 16/

This applicant’s father passed away a week and a half after bar prep began, from cancer. He/she states that they could not have a proper funeral for their father due to social distancing/shelter in place orders. They question this in comparison to the bar exam being allowed. 17/

Tomorrow I will share more impact statements. I urge you to thoughtfully read these and put yourself in each persons position. I ask you to think how you would feel, as an unlicensed attorney, in this situation, with no voice. 8 more days. Please, help us have a voice. /end