Above
the
Law
may
have
been
one
of
the
first
to
talk
about
the
New
York
bar
exam’s
atrocious
response
to
a
medical
emergency
of
a
test
taker
mid-exam
—
but
we’re
far
from
the
last.
Last
week,
New
York
lawmaker
Assembly
Judiciary
Chairman
Charles
Lavine
wrote
to
the
New
York
Board
of
Law
Examiners
about
his
“deep
concern”
about
the
way
proctors
dealt
with
a
test
taker’s
cardiac
episode
at
the
Hofstra
location
of
the
July
administration
of
the
bar
exam.
Specifically,
Lavine
called
out
that
“the
response
to
the
situation
appeared
disorganized,
delayed,
and
lacking
in
clear
protocol.
It
is
troubling
that
no
consistent
or
codified
procedures
were
in
place
to
ensure
an
immediate
coordinated
response.”
“While
we
all
recognize
the
logistical
challenges
inherent
in
administering
the
bar
exam
across
multiple
sites
and
jurisdictions,
this
incident
underscores
the
urgent
need
for
the
Board
to
establish
and
implement
a
uniform
emergency
response
policy
across
all
testing
locations.
Protocols
should
include
clearly
designated
responsibilities
for
proctors
and
staff,
immediate
access
to
medical
personnel
or
emergency
services
and
procedures
for
pausing
or
addressing
disruptions
in
a
way
that
protects
both
the
individual
in
crisis
and
the
integrity
of
the
examination
process.”
NYBOLE
acts
as
a
gatekeeper
for
the
profession,
ensuring
that
there
is
a
minimum
competency
for
all
New
York
lawyers.
But
that
role
in
ensuring
the
integrity
of
the
legal
profession
encompasses
more
than
acting
like
a
bouncer
at
a
nightclub
and
“includes
safeguarding
the
well-being
of
those
entering
it.
Our
future
attorneys,
many
of
whom
have
spent
years
preparing
for
this
moment,
deserve
to
sit
for
the
bar
exam
in
an
environment
that
prioritizes
their
health
and
safety.
No
candidate
should
fear
that
a
medical
emergency
will
be
met
with
hesitation
or
confusion.”
It’s
a
powerful
statement,
let’s
hope
the
bar
examiners
actually
do
something
in
response.
Read
the
full
letter
below.
Kathryn
Rubino
is
a
Senior
Editor
at
Above
the
Law,
host
of
The
Jabot
podcast,
and
co-host
of
Thinking
Like
A
Lawyer.
AtL
tipsters
are
the
best,
so
please
connect
with
her.
Feel
free
to
email
her
with
any
tips,
questions,
or
comments
and
follow
her
on
Twitter
@Kathryn1 or
Mastodon
@[email protected].