# Rules and Procedures Governing Admission to the Practice of Law, Rule 401: Rule 401. Character and Fitness Requirements

> Wyoming · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROCGOVEADMIPRAC_R401

## Section

- **Citation:** Rules and Procedures Governing Admission to the Practice of Law, Rule 401
- **Heading:** Rule 401. Character and Fitness Requirements
- **Jurisdiction:** Wyoming
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Wyoming Court Rules / Rules and Procedures Governing Admission to the Practice of Law / Rules and Procedures Governing Admission to the Practice of Law, Rule 401

## Text

(a) Duties of Applicant. — Every applicant must produce satisfactory
evidence of good moral character and an adequate knowledge of the standards
and ideals of the profession and that such person is otherwise fit to practice law
within the State of Wyoming. The applicant shall have the burden of proving
that the applicant is possessed of good moral character and is fit to practice
law. It shall be the duty of every applicant to make accurate and complete
disclosures in the application to the Court and to the NCBE and to cooperate
in good faith with any investigation by promptly furnishing written or oral
explanations, documents, releases, authorizations, or anything else reasonably
required by the Admissions Director, Bar Counsel or the Committee consistent
with these rules. Failure to appear as directed or to furnish additional proof or
answer as required or to cooperate fully shall be sufficient reason for the
Committee to recommend the denial of an application.
(b) Purposes of Character and Fitness Screening. — The primary purposes of
character and fitness screening before admission to the Bar are to assure the
protection of the public and safeguard the justice system. The Committee shall
not recommend an applicant be admitted to practice law if the Committee
believes that such applicant would, if admitted to practice law in Wyoming, be
unable or unwilling to act in accordance with the standards set forth in the
Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, and to act fairly, honestly, reasonably
and with unquestionable integrity in all matters in which he or she acts as an
attorney at law.
t recommend an applicant be admitted to practice law if the Committee
believes that such applicant would, if admitted to practice law in Wyoming, be
unable or unwilling to act in accordance with the standards set forth in the
Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, and to act fairly, honestly, reasonably
and with unquestionable integrity in all matters in which he or she acts as an
attorney at law.
(i) Good moral character includes but is not limited to a record of conduct
manifesting the qualities of honesty, candor, trustworthiness, observance of
fiduciary responsibilities, adherence to the law, and a respect for the rights
of other persons and the judicial process.
(ii) Fitness to practice law includes but is not limited to a record of conduct
that establishes that the applicant meets the essential eligibility requirements for the practice of law. The essential eligibility requirements for the
practice of law are:
(A) The ability to exercise good judgment and to conduct oneself with a
high degree of honesty, integrity and trustworthiness in financial dealings,
legal obligations, professional relationships, and in one’s professional
business;
(B) The ability to conduct oneself in a manner that engenders respect
for the law and adheres to the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct;
(C) The ability to diligently, reliably, and timely perform legal tasks and
fulfill professional obligations to clients, attorneys, courts and others;
(D) The ability to competently undertake fundamental lawyering skills
such as legal reasoning and analysis, recollection of complex factual
information and integration of such information with complex legal
theories, problem solving, and recognition and resolution of ethical dilemmas; and
(E) The ability to communicate comprehensibly with clients, attorneys,
courts, and others.
(c) Factors Considered. — The following factors shall be considered when
determining an applicant’s good moral character and fitness to practice law:
ex factual
information and integration of such information with complex legal
theories, problem solving, and recognition and resolution of ethical dilemmas; and
(E) The ability to communicate comprehensibly with clients, attorneys,
courts, and others.
(c) Factors Considered. — The following factors shall be considered when
determining an applicant’s good moral character and fitness to practice law:
(i) Unlawful conduct;
(ii) Academic misconduct;
(iii) Making or procuring any false or misleading statement or omission of
relevant information, including any false or misleading statement or omission on the application for admission to the Bar, or any amendment, or in
any testimony or sworn statement submitted to the Board or the Committee;
(iv) Misconduct in employment;
(v) Acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
(vi) Abuse of legal process;
(vii) Neglect of financial responsibilities;
(viii) Neglect of professional obligations;
(ix) Violation of an order of a court;
(x) Conduct demonstrating an inability to meet one or more essential
eligibility requirements for the practice of law;
(xi) Conduct that physically threatens or harms another person;
(xii) Denial of admission to the bar in this or another jurisdiction on
character and fitness grounds;
(xiii) Disciplinary action by the lawyer disciplinary agency or other
professional disciplinary agency of any jurisdiction;
(xiv) Conduct evidencing any current condition or impairment (including,
but not limited to, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, or a mental, emotional or
nervous disorder or condition) that in any way affects the applicant’s ability
to practice law in a competent, ethical, and professional manner; and
(xv) Any other conduct which reflects adversely upon the good moral
character and or fitness of the applicant to practice law.
any current condition or impairment (including,
but not limited to, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, or a mental, emotional or
nervous disorder or condition) that in any way affects the applicant’s ability
to practice law in a competent, ethical, and professional manner; and
(xv) Any other conduct which reflects adversely upon the good moral
character and or fitness of the applicant to practice law.
(d) Prior Conduct—Aggravating and Mitigating Factors. — In making the
determination on character and fitness of each applicant, the following factors
should be considered in assigning weight and significance to prior conduct of
the applicant:
(i) The applicant’s age at the time of the conduct;
(ii) The recency of the conduct;
(iii) The reliability of the information concerning the conduct;
(iv) The seriousness of the conduct;
(v) The factors or circumstances underlying the conduct;
(vi) The cumulative effect of the conduct or information;
(vii) The evidence of rehabilitation;
(viii) The applicant’s positive social contributions since the conduct;
(ix) The applicant’s candor in the admissions process;
(x) The materiality of any omissions or misrepresentations.
(xi) An applicant who affirmatively asserts rehabilitation from prior
conduct must produce evidence of rehabilitation which may include, but is
not limited to, the following:
(A) compliance with the specific conditions of any disciplinary, judicial,
administrative, or other order, where applicable;
(B) good character and moral standing in the community;
(C) good reputation for professional ability, where applicable;
(D) lack of malice and ill feeling toward those who, by duty, were
compelled to bring about the disciplinary, judicial, administrative, or other
proceeding;
(E) personal assurances, supported by corroborating evidence, of a
desire and intention to conduct one’s self in an exemplary fashion in the
future;
(F) restitution of funds or property, where applicable;
(G) positive action showing rehabilitation by occupation, community
service or civic service; and
, were
compelled to bring about the disciplinary, judicial, administrative, or other
proceeding;
(E) personal assurances, supported by corroborating evidence, of a
desire and intention to conduct one’s self in an exemplary fashion in the
future;
(F) restitution of funds or property, where applicable;
(G) positive action showing rehabilitation by occupation, community
service or civic service; and
(H) any other evidence which reflects rehabilitation of the applicant.
(e) Non-Discrimination Policy. — In determining good moral character and
fitness to practice law, the Committee shall not discriminate against any
applicant on the basis of:
(i) Race, color or ethnic identity;
(ii) Gender or gender identity;
(iii) Sexual orientation;
(iv) Marital status;
(v) Creed or religion;
(vi) Political beliefs or affiliation;
(vii) Sensory, mental or physical disability;
(viii) National origin;
(ix) Age; or
(x) Any other class protected under state or federal law.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROCGOVEADMIPRAC_R401. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.