Q&A: Admission to the California Bar as a foreign attorney or foreign law graduate

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...

Issue checklists

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...

Fifth amendment and questioning (Criminal law)

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

A summary of articles and amendments of the US Constitution

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....

Essay approach – freedom of speech (constitutional law)

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...