I'm a 3rd year associate looking to lateral to California. After graduating from law school I took the CA bar exam and in between the exam and when the results came out, I moved to another state with my spouse and fortunately landed a big law gig at a V50. I took that other state's bar the following February and passed, but learned that I failed the CA bar. I re-took California the following July and passed.
I have an interview next week in CA and I'm worried they will ask about which bar I took first, etc. Especially since they can look me up and see when I was admitted in both states. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can twist this? Is this something that normally comes up?
Failing Bar on First Try and Lateralling Forum
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Anonymous User
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icansortofmath
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Re: Failing Bar on First Try and Lateralling
I know biglaw associates in SF that never bothered to take CA because they never go to court and firm never asked them to so you’re probably okay just asking firm you’re lateraling to if they want you to take CA bar.
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Anonymous User
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Re: Failing Bar on First Try and Lateralling
OP here, to be clear, I passed the bar the 2nd time around. I'm just not sure if it's a stain on my record and would prevent me from getting an offer?icansortofmath wrote:I know biglaw associates in SF that never bothered to take CA because they never go to court and firm never asked them to so you’re probably okay just asking firm you’re lateraling to if they want you to take CA bar.
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icansortofmath
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Re: Failing Bar on First Try and Lateralling
Uh. No. Lol. Nobody cares.
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papermateflair
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Re: Failing Bar on First Try and Lateralling
Seconding this. You're a third year, with two or three years of experience working at a big law firm in a different state. If anything, they'll be pleased to know that you're already California barred so they don't have to worry about you having to take it on their time. There's no way that they'll even know you failed the bar unless you tell them. In the interview they'll be more focused on your current experience, why you're looking to leave, etc., and almost certainly won't ask you anything about the timing of when you took the bar (you may have to fill out some sort of information sheet with the bar admission dates, but no one is going to spend time putting together a timeline and wondering what you did in July of 2016 or whatever). When I lateraled, they just wanted to know where I was admitted and the timing of getting admitted to my new state. Please never think about this again, and good luck with your interview!icansortofmath wrote:Uh. No. Lol. Nobody cares.
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