In Re Ascher

The issue here is whether Walter A. Ascher is “of good moral character and general fitness to practice law” as required by our rules (73 Ill. 2d R. 701(a)) for admission to the bar of Illinois. The Committee on Character and Fitness for the Second Judicial District (Committee) reported that it could not so certify (73 Ill. 2d R. 708(c)). Ascher now petitions us to admit him to practice (73 Ill. 2d R. 708(a)), asserting the Committee’s action to be arbitrary and unwarranted.

Petitioner passed the examination conducted by the State Board of Law Examiners in February 1979. On April 16,…