May 2024 Bar Admissions

Congratulations on passing the bar exam! Your next step in becoming a Maryland attorney is to receive clearance from the State Board of Law Examiners (SBLE) and then to take the Attorney’s Oath at a bar admission ceremony at the Supreme Court. Note that until you have received clearance for admission from the State Board of Law Examiners, you will not be scheduled for a Bar Admission Ceremony or permitted to take the Attorney’s Oath.

This page contains important information about your bar admission ceremony. Please read this entire page.

The Court holds several sessions of bar admission throughout the day. When you have been cleared by the SBLE, you will receive an email from the Clerk’s Office assigning you to one of those sessions. That email will give you the time you are to report to the Courts of Appeal Building, the time of your actual session, and other instructions.

If you are unable to attend the scheduled ceremony, please notify the Clerk's Office immediately at [email protected] or 410-260-1500.

Things to remember:

1. When to Arrive. Arrive on time for your session. Please plan on being in the Courts of Appeal Building at least 45 minutes prior to the start of your session. This means that you need to account for the time it will take to park your car and walk to the building – about 5 to 7 minutes. See information on parking below. Immediately contact the Clerk’s Office at 410-260-1500 if you are not able to be on time for your ceremony.
2. Security. Once you are in the building, you and your guests will be screened by the Court’s security personnel. For your safety and the safety of others, do not bring briefcases or backpacks to the Courthouse. If you bring a briefcase or backpack to the Courthouse, you will be asked to return it to your car before you will be admitted to the building. Small handbags and small clear plastic bags are permitted.
3. Guests. You are permitted two guests. Your guests will remain in the first-floor lobby until they are directed to go to the courtroom and take their seats.
4. Check-in. Soon after you arrive you will be directed to go to the Lawyer’s Lounge on the Fourth Floor to check in with the Clerk’s Office Staff. Your guests must remain in the first-floor lobby until they are directed to go to the courtroom. You will need to have a photo ID and $20.00 in cash or check with you. The Staff will give you instructions on lining up and entering the courtroom for your ceremony.
5. Attire. You are expected to wear appropriate courtroom attire for your ceremony.
6. Livestream. Family and friends who cannot attend the ceremony can watch it on the Court’s livestream and on the Bar Admissions Webcast page. A recording of the ceremony will be available here for a limited time.
7. Accommodations. If you or your guests need an accommodation, please immediately contact the Clerk’s Office at 410-260-1500.
8. Other Information.
   1. Within approximately 24 to 48 hours of the administration of the oath, you will receive an email notifying you to register with the Attorney Information System (AIS) and providing you with instructions for registration. Important information about AIS and your annual compliance obligations can be found here. Note that you are not permitted to practice law in Maryland until you have received your bar admission certificate and you have registered with AIS.
   2. Please also visit the Client Protection Fund's webpage for information regarding your obligations as an attorney in Maryland.

   The Attorney's Oath

   The Attorney’s Oath is prescribed by § 10-212 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article of the Maryland Code. It reads:

   “I do solemnly (swear)(affirm) that I will at all times demean myself fairly and honorably as an attorney and practitioner at law; that I will bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support the laws and Constitution thereof, and that I will bear true allegiance to the United States, and that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution, laws and government thereof as the supreme law of the land; any law, or ordinance of this or any state to the contrary notwithstanding.”

   Directions to the Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building and Parking

   From Washington, DC and points West of Annapolis:
   From the Beltway or downtown DC, take Route 50 East and follow the signs to Annapolis. Take Exit 24 (MD-70/Rowe Blvd) and bear right onto Rowe Boulevard. Continue on Rowe Boulevard to the second light, approximately 7/10ths of a mile, and turn right onto Taylor Avenue. At the fourth driveway to the right on Taylor Avenue, turn right into parking Gate 5 and park. Parking is $10.00 all day. Cash and most credit cards are accepted.

   From Baltimore, Maryland:
   From I-695, take Exit 4 (I-97 South/Annapolis/Bay Bridge). Follow I-97 for 17 miles. At you approach Route 50 East/Route 301 North, stay in the left two lanes to merge onto Route 50 East. Take Exit 24 (MD-70/Rowe Blvd) and bear right onto Rowe Boulevard. Continue on Rowe Boulevard to the second light, approximately 7/10ths of a mile, and turn right onto Taylor Avenue. At the fourth driveway to the right on Taylor Avenue, turn right into parking Gate 5 and park. Parking is $10.00 all day. Cash and most credit cards are accepted.

   From the Eastern Shore of Maryland:
   Take US-50 West over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. After approximately 5 miles take Exit 24A (MD-70 South/Rowe Blvd/Annapolis). Merge onto Rowe Boulevard. At the third light, approximately 9/10ths of a mile, turn right onto Taylor Avenue. At the fourth driveway to the right on Taylor Avenue, turn right into parking Gate 5 and park. Parking is $10.00 all day. Cash and most credit cards are accepted.

   Once you have parked:
   Proceed down the footpaths leading toward Taylor Avenue. Cross Taylor Avenue at the crosswalk onto the sidewalks alongside Herbert Sachs Drive. Follow Herbert Sachs Drive to the main entrance of the Courts of Appeal Building. The walk takes approximately 7 minutes and is about 2/10ths of a mile.