Do I Have to Attend an Informal Conference?
No. Under Rule 4.46 of the admissions rules of the State Bar of California, attendance at a Moral Character Informal Conference is optional.
If an applicant declines to attend, no negative inference may be drawn solely from that decision.
However, whether to attend can involve strategic considerations that depend on the specific concerns identified in the review.
Under Rule 4.46 of the admissions rules of the State Bar of California, an Informal Conference is offered before the Committee issues an adverse Moral Character determination. It is not a disciplinary hearing, and it is not a performance. It is a structured opportunity for the Committee to better understand the applicant beyond the written record.
The Moral Character review evaluates candor, consistency, rehabilitation, and present fitness to practice law. Written submissions provide documentation, but they do not always convey context. An Informal Conference allows the Committee to ask direct questions about areas of concern and to assess how the applicant explains prior events, financial issues, omissions, or inconsistencies. The focus is not persuasion. It is clarity.
The Committee is not looking for rehearsed statements or advocacy. It is attempting to determine whether the applicant demonstrates insight, responsibility, and an understanding of past conduct. Where rehabilitation is relevant, the inquiry often centers on what has changed, what has been learned, and how future conduct will reflect those lessons.
Because the conference is an opportunity rather than a mandatory proceeding, attendance is optional and no negative inference may be drawn from declining. However, when credibility and judgment are central to the review, the conference may serve as a meaningful chance to address concerns directly.
An Informal Conference is best approached as a professional conversation about record, responsibility, and readiness for admission.
What Happens If You Decline?
If an applicant declines to participate, the Committee will proceed based on the written record already submitted.
No additional in-person explanation will be added to the file unless further documentation is provided separately through the admissions portal.
The Committee may then issue either a positive determination or an adverse determination.
For information about outcomes, see
What Can You Do After an Adverse Moral Character Determination?
Considerations Before Deciding
Before deciding whether to attend, applicants may consider:
The nature of the concerns identified
The strength and clarity of existing documentation
Whether the record contains inconsistencies
Whether additional explanation would be helpful
The conference is recorded and becomes part of the review record, careful preparation is important if participation is chosen.
An Informal Conference invitation does not mean a denial has already been made. It is a procedural opportunity to address concerns before a final decision is issued.
Understanding that attendance is optional, and that no negative inference arises from declining, allows applicants to approach the decision deliberately rather than reactively.
If you are considering whether to attend an Informal Conference, reviewing the procedural posture and written record may help clarify the appropriate course.