For any lawyers out there (name change Q)

So...the only last name decision I've made is that I want to practice law under my maiden name. I'm a 3L, graduating in May, taking the bar in July, getting married in August. So, I'll be single when I sit for the bar and married when I am admitted (uhh, assuming I pass!!!!!!).

Here's my question (which my law school told me to ask the 2nd Department, but I SO don't want to go thru the trouble if I don't have to)...If I were to legally change my name to FH's name before admission, can I be admitted and practice under my maiden name?

If not, can I keep my maiden name until I am admitted, then legally change it to FH's name, but continue to practice under my maiden name?

I will be litigating, so I will be signing court docs and going on the record.

If I cannot do any of the above, can I legally change my name to be hyphenated, but then only practice under my maiden name, which will then still legally be a part of my last name?

Sorry I don't know the answers to your questions. I will be admitted on Wednesday and getting married June 1st so I am changing my name to FH and practicing under that name as well.

I figured now is the best time to switch names because I am not established yet.

I don't know the answer but I can tell you you won't be admitted in August (I'm still awaiting my admission and I took it last July). I THINK, but I'm not positive, that there's a place you can write your 'name during bar' and current name. Unfortunately I'd have to suggest you call the 2nd Dept. FYI, in case you didn't know this, the 2nd dept makes you go through more hoops than any other dept to get admitted (more money, more ethics class) - I was very annoyed at this

I'm not sure if anything I'm about to say will really answer your question, but hopefully it will help a little.

Two of the women who used to be in my firm kept their maiden names for practicing, but went by their married names socially/outside the office. I'm not entirely sure how the whole name changing worked with them - like if they changed their driver's license to reflect their married name, but kept their attorney license under their maiden name? So you can definitely do this, but I'm just not sure about the process.

Here's a link to the court's website for info:
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/attorneys/registration/changingreginfo.shtml

At the bottom of the page is info about name changing. Unfortunately, it looks like you will have to call. They're actually not as bad as you think they might be with calls. Good luck!