The judges of the Appellate Division, First Department conducted its first-ever virtual bar admissions Monday, with the court urging the attorneys not to lose hope despite the coronavirus pandemic's devastating impact.

With a digital picture of the First Department's courtroom behind them, Justice Rosalyn Richter and several of her colleagues welcomed the J.D.s. Veronica Guerrero, counsel to the committee on character and fitness, moved for their admission at two virtual ceremonies held Monday.

Nine attorneys were sworn in at 10 a.m. and 10 were sworn in at noon, Guerrero said on the Skype calls. Susanna Rojas, the clerk of the court, administered the oath, with few technical hiccups. The biggest tweak to the script was Rojas' request that candidates "please unmute your mics" before raising their right hands and swearing to support the federal and state constitutions.

"We know that while you are happy this ceremony happened, you may be uncertain about the immediate future," Richter said. "The best advice I can give you in the next few months is to remember that there is support for you as you go through these uncharted waters. Find a senior lawyer, a counselor at a bar association, a professor or a mentor to turn to when you are not sure how to navigate situations."

The judge closed by quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, reminding lawyers that "nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, 'it can't be done.'" Even appellate judges can learn new things, she said, noting that remote arguments would resume next month.

The First Department isn't the state's first court to swear in lawyers remotely. Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the Office of Court Administration, said the Second Department has already sworn in some lawyers remotely and plans to welcome another 30 to the bar Wednesday.

Other states, including Indiana, have made plans to induct attorneys virtually. Major debates are also ongoing in various states about whether to administer upcoming bar exams virtually and whether to waive recent law graduates into the bar without a need for testing. 

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First Department Going 'Virtual' to Reopen Operations, Attorney Admissions