Since being admitted, I've received many questions about the admissions process from foreign attorneys and law grads. How long does the process take? Do I need to undertake additional study to qualify? How expensive is it? Can I undertake the process while living abroad? Can I work in California once I am admitted to the bar? My hope for this post is that it can address these high-level...
One of the first steps of bar prep is to choose the resources you want to use for your studies. There are many resources out there, but here is a short list of the ones I used to pass the bar. For tailored feedback and advice on strategy If you're a foreign attorney or retaker, having a tutor is absolutely essential, even if just to review a few of your essays or PTs. Their understanding of the...
Yesterday was a day many law students and foreign attorneys dreaded - we found out if we passed or failed the California Bar Exam. I was elated to see that I'd passed - I had worked long and hard for that result. Now I'm hoping to share some info on how I went about it - for first timers, retakers and foreign attorneys in particular. Here is a timeline I followed that got me to that end goal....
I often used issue checklists to check off issues on essays or get a feel for the key aspects of a subject. Let me know if these are useful. Issue-checklist-business-associationsDownload Issue-checklist-civ-pro-one-pageDownload Issue-checklist-commmunity-propertyDownload Issue-checklist-constitutional-lawDownload Issue-checklist-contractsDownload Issue-checklist-criminal-lawDownload...
It's important to know impeachment and character evidence inside-out, as it's on several MBE questions each exam. Use this chart to help get your head around the law. Evidence-impeachment-vs-character-summary-finalDownload
The Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and right to speak to an attorney are often the subject of MBE questions. I found this chart useful in determing how each right was invoked, whether questioning could recommence and the effect of a violation. Let me know if this chart helps! Crim-pro-5th-Amendment-and-questioning-finalDownload
There are often several MBE questions on the Fourth Amendment. It often pops up on essay questions too, so it's best to know it inside-out. Here's a chart to help. Crim-pro-4th-amendment-search-and-seizure-finalDownload
International students and foreign attorneys may not be as well-acquainted with the Constitution as their local counterparts. I found this table useful at memorizing the examinable articles and amendments and their applicability to bar subjects (not only constitutional law but also civil procedure, criminal procedure and even property law). I hope you find it useful too....
Remembering the time limit for filing of motions, serving process, answers and discovery can be a little confusing. Hopefully this table helps! Time-limits-civil-procedure-CDownload
Freedom of speech is a common essay topic (and often appears on the MBE). It really pays off to know it well. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to navigate a freedom of speech question. STANDING. Discuss injury in fact, causation and redressability. STATE ACTION. Discuss the regulation the state has put in place. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Explain the freedom and state how it is applicable (including...
It took me a while to get my head around motions - the type, the corresponding FRCP rule, their requirements, and the appropriate time to file each of them. Here's a table that helped me with memorizing and comparing them. Civ-pro-motions-summaryDownload
Joinder was an area that I struggled to get my head around. The file attached explains and compares both joinder of parties (compulsory and permissive joinder) and joinder of claims. Civ-pro-joinder-summary-Download Let me know if this doc helps, or if there's anything you think I should add.