The Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County, Ceremony

Formal Admission Ceremony

For those applicants reported qualified for admission by the Board of Bar Examiners to the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), Maura S. Doyle, Clerk of the SJC for Suffolk County, conducts the official admission ceremonies at historic Faneuil Hall.

Upon receiving the passing results of the examination, the applicants may choose either the official admission ceremony or the alternate admission procedure.

The ceremonies are held twice annually in November and June. For upcoming admission ceremonies, see announcements.

The Court assigns the date and time of the ceremony for the each applicant based upon the applicant's last name.

Approximately three weeks prior to the ceremonies, the applicants will receive notice of their date and time to appear for the ceremony.

Because of the limited number of seats available and existing fire laws, the applicants are only allowed to invite three guests to the ceremony. The Court does not issue invitations, tickets or assigned seating for the guests.

At Faneuil Hall, the applicants are given an assigned seat. It is general admission for the guests.

The ceremony is an actual session of the Court presided over by a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court and conducted by Clerk Doyle. The ceremony is comprised of greetings from bar association officers, the administration of Oaths, remarks by the Justice, signing of the Roll of Attorneys and the presentation of the licenses.

The entire ceremony is approximately two to three hours. Photos and videos are allowed during the ceremony.

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