2018 July California Bar Forum
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
I haven't yet (and I don't know that I will) looked at the released questions or the bar secrets analysis. We'll see. Other than remembering general issues overall, I don't remember a lot of the details or specifics of what I wrote. As for this first essay I discussed Adequate Assurances but neglected to state that under the UCC it had to be in writing.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
Because this was governed by UCC, I still quickly hit QTIPS (quantity = 5,000 bushels, time = July 1 delivery, ID = Stan and Best, price = $100/bushel, and subject = tomatoes). I quickly hit SOF defense formation since 5,000 bushels x $100 = $500K, which exceeds $500, so UCC requires in writing, but here valid written K, so that defense will fail.
I don't think that was necessary, but I did talk about it really quick.
I don't think that was necessary, but I did talk about it really quick.
- MBernard
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
Bar Secrets just posted the analysis for Q-2. I remember hitting a lot of the points they brought up but I think I was too cursory. Definitely missed the prior statement exception for the 911 call. Also mentioned spousal privilege briefly but negated the possibility because they were not married. For Sam's character evidence I know I brought up habit and immediately discounted it. Almost positive I mentioned MIMIC as well, really hope so but this is probably the one question where I've forgotten the most about what I wrote. For the computer record I discussed the business records exception only I'm pretty sure. Definitely banking on this one being a weak one for me (if not the weakest), mentioned a lot of the points they brought up but I feel like my analysis was too cursory and I missed a few items. If I had to guess I'd say 55-60 is where I fall on this one : /.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
I forget a lot of what I wrote, but I think I missed a lot of the smaller issues they mentioned. Hoping for a 60.MBernard wrote:Bar Secrets just posted the analysis for Q-2. I remember hitting a lot of the points they brought up but I think I was too cursory. Definitely missed the prior statement exception for the 911 call. Also mentioned spousal privilege briefly but negated the possibility because they were not married. For Sam's character evidence I know I brought up habit and immediately discounted it. Almost positive I mentioned MIMIC as well, really hope so but this is probably the one question where I've forgotten the most about what I wrote. For the computer record I discussed the business records exception only I'm pretty sure. Definitely banking on this one being a weak one for me (if not the weakest), mentioned a lot of the points they brought up but I feel like my analysis was too cursory and I missed a few items. If I had to guess I'd say 55-60 is where I fall on this one : /.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
I didn't mention the hearsay analysis for the print out because I immediately thought it was self-authenticating non-hearsay. :/Auxilio wrote:I forget a lot of what I wrote, but I think I missed a lot of the smaller issues they mentioned. Hoping for a 60.MBernard wrote:Bar Secrets just posted the analysis for Q-2. I remember hitting a lot of the points they brought up but I think I was too cursory. Definitely missed the prior statement exception for the 911 call. Also mentioned spousal privilege briefly but negated the possibility because they were not married. For Sam's character evidence I know I brought up habit and immediately discounted it. Almost positive I mentioned MIMIC as well, really hope so but this is probably the one question where I've forgotten the most about what I wrote. For the computer record I discussed the business records exception only I'm pretty sure. Definitely banking on this one being a weak one for me (if not the weakest), mentioned a lot of the points they brought up but I feel like my analysis was too cursory and I missed a few items. If I had to guess I'd say 55-60 is where I fall on this one : /.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
How does it affect scoring if everyone misses certain things? I took attorney exam only but don’t really know scaling or whatever. Just seems to me that this question is going to be a tough one for a lot of people - particularly the computer record. Would be shocked if many people answered that exactly how the graders hoped.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
On second read, I really think the print out is an authentication issue versus a hearsay issue. She offered a printout of a computer-generated manifest. Even though she herself created the files, it was the computer that created the manifest.JakeTappers wrote:How does it affect scoring if everyone misses certain things? I took attorney exam only but don’t really know scaling or whatever. Just seems to me that this question is going to be a tough one for a lot of people - particularly the computer record. Would be shocked if many people answered that exactly how the graders hoped.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
I'm also surprised bar secrets didn't pick up on CA's rape shield equivalent for domestic violence victims. Or the OJ exception.
This makes me doubt their analysis, frankly, for this essay as well as the rest.
This makes me doubt their analysis, frankly, for this essay as well as the rest.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
estefanchanning wrote:On second read, I really think the print out is an authentication issue versus a hearsay issue. She offered a printout of a computer-generated manifest. Even though she herself created the files, it was the computer that created the manifest.JakeTappers wrote:How does it affect scoring if everyone misses certain things? I took attorney exam only but don’t really know scaling or whatever. Just seems to me that this question is going to be a tough one for a lot of people - particularly the computer record. Would be shocked if many people answered that exactly how the graders hoped.
This. A California criminal evidence question with a 911 DV call? The OJ exception should've been the first California evidence distinction in people's minds right after "Truth in Evidence"estefanchanning wrote:I'm also surprised bar secrets didn't pick up on CA's rape shield equivalent for domestic violence victims. Or the OJ exception.
This makes me doubt their analysis, frankly, for this essay as well as the rest.
- MBernard
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
Geez. That's true, the OJ Exception (Section 1370) was definitely in play. You've jogged my memory now and I remember mentioning it as to the recording. Still pretty sure this one was a bust for me, but yeah that is weird and kinda casts some doubt on their analysis. Nobody's going to catch everything but section 1370 seems to be really pertinent (as a disclaimer Ca Evidence is by far my weakest though).diatribe wrote:estefanchanning wrote:On second read, I really think the print out is an authentication issue versus a hearsay issue. She offered a printout of a computer-generated manifest. Even though she herself created the files, it was the computer that created the manifest.JakeTappers wrote:How does it affect scoring if everyone misses certain things? I took attorney exam only but don’t really know scaling or whatever. Just seems to me that this question is going to be a tough one for a lot of people - particularly the computer record. Would be shocked if many people answered that exactly how the graders hoped.This. A California criminal evidence question with a 911 DV call? The OJ exception should've been the first California evidence distinction in people's minds right after "Truth in Evidence"estefanchanning wrote:I'm also surprised bar secrets didn't pick up on CA's rape shield equivalent for domestic violence victims. Or the OJ exception.
This makes me doubt their analysis, frankly, for this essay as well as the rest.
I felt like their Contracts analysis was spot on, guess I'll have to wait until they hit PR and Con Law. I'm extremely confident on those latter two and feel as though I'd know immediately if they left issues out
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
Reading on their website on how grading works, it seems a good thing if a lot of people missed a lot of issues in a given essay. You can find more details googling or searching here “calibration sessions”. Basically, unlike for the MBE, the essays follow something similar to a law school curve where it’s a good thing if everybody sucked. The problem with this is that in July there are more prepared candidates than in February, so it’s less likely that that many people made a mistake. So exhausted of waiting...JakeTappers wrote:How does it affect scoring if everyone misses certain things? I took attorney exam only but don’t really know scaling or whatever. Just seems to me that this question is going to be a tough one for a lot of people - particularly the computer record. Would be shocked if many people answered that exactly how the graders hoped.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
Idk if their contracts was that good either. They didn't discuss buyer's potential damages (even though the call of the question specifically asked for us to discuss both) or the first oral modification of the contract or whether orally asking for further assurances was acceptable as course dealings.MBernard wrote:Geez. That's true, the OJ Exception (Section 1370) was definitely in play. You've jogged my memory now and I remember mentioning it as to the recording. Still pretty sure this one was a bust for me, but yeah that is weird and kinda casts some doubt on their analysis. Nobody's going to catch everything but section 1370 seems to be really pertinent (as a disclaimer Ca Evidence is by far my weakest though).diatribe wrote:estefanchanning wrote:On second read, I really think the print out is an authentication issue versus a hearsay issue. She offered a printout of a computer-generated manifest. Even though she herself created the files, it was the computer that created the manifest.JakeTappers wrote:How does it affect scoring if everyone misses certain things? I took attorney exam only but don’t really know scaling or whatever. Just seems to me that this question is going to be a tough one for a lot of people - particularly the computer record. Would be shocked if many people answered that exactly how the graders hoped.This. A California criminal evidence question with a 911 DV call? The OJ exception should've been the first California evidence distinction in people's minds right after "Truth in Evidence"estefanchanning wrote:I'm also surprised bar secrets didn't pick up on CA's rape shield equivalent for domestic violence victims. Or the OJ exception.
This makes me doubt their analysis, frankly, for this essay as well as the rest.
I felt like their Contracts analysis was spot on, guess I'll have to wait until they hit PR and Con Law. I'm extremely confident on those latter two and feel as though I'd know immediately if they left issues out
I know the above is tenuous, but if they are touting themselves as bar exam instructors, I expect more attention to detail.
- MBernard
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
They mentioned the first oral modification of the K (discussion starts at the 6:40 mark). It was really brief though and they also added could also take it as an anticipatory repudiation (which they focused more on). Also, they did mention that the request for assurances must be in writing (10:30 mark), I didn't hear that the first time I listened to the vid. I missed the latter point in my own answer discussion on the test. Their damage analysis though only concerned Stan's, which I think would be fine if you were to argue that only Best was the breaching party. The question seemed to indicate, at least to me, that if you only found just one party to be in breach then just do one damage analysis. I think the safer option is to include both though. My analysis was that Best was in breach but I nonetheless added a damage calculation for what Best could receive if Stan was found in breach.estefanchanning wrote: Idk if their contracts was that good either. They didn't discuss buyer's potential damages (even though the call of the question specifically asked for us to discuss both) or the first oral modification of the contract or whether orally asking for further assurances was acceptable as course dealings.
I know the above is tenuous, but if they are touting themselves as bar exam instructors, I expect more attention to detail.
I think its fair to say they definitely go over some important points too fast and it'd be cool if they just gave a pdf of their answers lol. But it's free and I really don't want to go through the UCC myself at this time haha.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
I'm def thankful it's free. I guess I'm just saying that if I failed the bar this time around, I wouldn't want to take bar secrets for my second time based, partially, on the way they answered Evidence. I don't want to sound harsh but these are my feelings.MBernard wrote:They mentioned the first oral modification of the K (discussion starts at the 6:40 mark). It was really brief though and they also added could also take it as an anticipatory repudiation (which they focused more on). Also, they did mention that the request for assurances must be in writing (10:30 mark), I didn't hear that the first time I listened to the vid. I missed the latter point in my own answer discussion on the test. Their damage analysis though only concerned Stan's, which I think would be fine if you were to argue that only Best was the breaching party. The question seemed to indicate, at least to me, that if you only found just one party to be in breach then just do one damage analysis. I think the safer option is to include both though. My analysis was that Best was in breach but I nonetheless added a damage calculation for what Best could receive if Stan was found in breach.estefanchanning wrote: Idk if their contracts was that good either. They didn't discuss buyer's potential damages (even though the call of the question specifically asked for us to discuss both) or the first oral modification of the contract or whether orally asking for further assurances was acceptable as course dealings.
I know the above is tenuous, but if they are touting themselves as bar exam instructors, I expect more attention to detail.
I think its fair to say they definitely go over some important points too fast and it'd be cool if they just gave a pdf of their answers lol. But it's free and I really don't want to go through the UCC myself at this time haha.
- MBernard
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
No worries, I feel the same. I agree with you on the evidence vid. I don't really know enough about their program to say strongly either way but I prefer self study. I'm sure you passed though sounds like you're on track with your essay analysis.estefanchanning wrote: I'm def thankful it's free. I guess I'm just saying that if I failed the bar this time around, I wouldn't want to take bar secrets for my second time based, partially, on the way they answered Evidence. I don't want to sound harsh but these are my feelings.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
As for Question 1 Contracts:
-Don't worry too much guys if they didn't discuss enough one issue or another. You can see how the question was asked and you know you answered it. They said their method isn't the only way to go about it. So I think the way people approached the contracts essay will have variety, so long as you spotted the anticipatory repudiation/adequate assurances/breach/damages. I'm kicking myself for calling it "further assurances" and forgetting that the rule requires a writing.
-Nevertheless, I still believe I wrote a passing essay. Stay confident friends.
As for Question 2 Evidence:
-BarSecrets missed the OJ exception. I had it in there too guys. I know people who analyzed it too. So we'll get those points.
-I didn't get into bus records just noted that it was stipulated but that the double hearsay means we have to do a hearsay analysis for the victim's statements on the call. An ongoing emergency, and he must be available for cross (it was prosecution's case in chief).
-I don't remember whether I put both spontaneous statement or contemporaneous statement I think I did. I just hope I wasn't dumb and got it in under contemporaneous because that'll hurt me.
-I remember I discussed character and I forget whether I discussed MIMIC for the second question. And got the statement with Party Admission/OJ.
-As for the computer print out, I said she authenticated it on the stand sufficient to sustain a finding by explaining how she obtained the print out. However, I thought it was nonhearsay because I thought the computer printout was date and time stamps and not something she compiled herself. However, I could see how BarSecrets would think it is possible that she manipulated it and that it would be hearsay and inadmissible. Doesn't matter if you argued both in my opinion, arguing either or would be fine as long as the bar graders can tell you understand the different between hearsay and nonhearsay with machine print outs.
Overall, I found BarSecrets thus far has been pretty on point with some areas in which I think to be a bit flexible. Seems like most of the commenters on here were in the right direction. Geez all you smart people making the curve hard. Anyway, doesn't matter. If you got it, you pass the essay.
-Don't worry too much guys if they didn't discuss enough one issue or another. You can see how the question was asked and you know you answered it. They said their method isn't the only way to go about it. So I think the way people approached the contracts essay will have variety, so long as you spotted the anticipatory repudiation/adequate assurances/breach/damages. I'm kicking myself for calling it "further assurances" and forgetting that the rule requires a writing.
-Nevertheless, I still believe I wrote a passing essay. Stay confident friends.
As for Question 2 Evidence:
-BarSecrets missed the OJ exception. I had it in there too guys. I know people who analyzed it too. So we'll get those points.
-I didn't get into bus records just noted that it was stipulated but that the double hearsay means we have to do a hearsay analysis for the victim's statements on the call. An ongoing emergency, and he must be available for cross (it was prosecution's case in chief).
-I don't remember whether I put both spontaneous statement or contemporaneous statement I think I did. I just hope I wasn't dumb and got it in under contemporaneous because that'll hurt me.
-I remember I discussed character and I forget whether I discussed MIMIC for the second question. And got the statement with Party Admission/OJ.
-As for the computer print out, I said she authenticated it on the stand sufficient to sustain a finding by explaining how she obtained the print out. However, I thought it was nonhearsay because I thought the computer printout was date and time stamps and not something she compiled herself. However, I could see how BarSecrets would think it is possible that she manipulated it and that it would be hearsay and inadmissible. Doesn't matter if you argued both in my opinion, arguing either or would be fine as long as the bar graders can tell you understand the different between hearsay and nonhearsay with machine print outs.
Overall, I found BarSecrets thus far has been pretty on point with some areas in which I think to be a bit flexible. Seems like most of the commenters on here were in the right direction. Geez all you smart people making the curve hard. Anyway, doesn't matter. If you got it, you pass the essay.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
I keep getting anxious about results. I graduated in the top 5% of my class and I studied really hard. I feel like there’s always a few students every year at my school who don’t pass even though they did well in law school. I finished the written sessions probably 15 min early. I know I missed some stuff in evidence but I couldn’t think of anything else to write for the other essays. Anyone else finish early? I know a lot of people ran out of time so that is why I’m nervous.
I also screwed up the pension analysis for CP. anyone know of a good bar score calculator to ease my mind? I was scoring 75-80% accuracy on MBEs so hoping that I can get a few 60s or 55s on my essays and still pass.
Hoping we can overcome the statistics this year.
I also screwed up the pension analysis for CP. anyone know of a good bar score calculator to ease my mind? I was scoring 75-80% accuracy on MBEs so hoping that I can get a few 60s or 55s on my essays and still pass.
Hoping we can overcome the statistics this year.
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- MBernard
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
If you're a top student plus you studied hard, more likely than not you passed. Typically the explanation for why those people who perform well academically but don't pass lies with how they studied. I have a friend who was succeeded in law school (USC) but failed the CBX and I have a friend from out of state who did poorly in law school but still passed Ca. These kinds of stories are somewhat common, what separated them I believe was the the time they spent engaging with the material. If you know you studied hard then you probably did.lnu1992 wrote:I keep getting anxious about results. I graduated in the top 5% of my class and I studied really hard. I feel like there’s always a few students every year at my school who don’t pass even though they did well in law school. I finished the written sessions probably 15 min early. I know I missed some stuff in evidence but I couldn’t think of anything else to write for the other essays. Anyone else finish early? I know a lot of people ran out of time so that is why I’m nervous.
I also screwed up the pension analysis for CP. anyone know of a good bar score calculator to ease my mind? I was scoring 75-80% accuracy on MBEs so hoping that I can get a few 60s or 55s on my essays and still pass.
Hoping we can overcome the statistics this year.
Finishing early could be a good sign as well, when I took Texas I finished early for the two essay sections and I know for the CBX I also finished both sections early. Evidence really was the only one that I stalled on and gave me trouble. As for Community property, I think I passed but I want to hear the BarSecrets analysis on it because I've heard differing opinions on how the analysis should have gone (some opinions seem viable but others are kind of out there).
Anyway, I definitely have my own set of doubts as well but I'm relying on how hard I've studied plus the analysis from BarSecrets has reassured me somewhat as well. I'm no expert on the CBX grading but I can say from past bar exam experience (Texas) that typically one bad essay or a few mistakes is not going to be fatal.
I'm using the bar calculator posted by jseperac (link - https://ubeessays.com/california-score-calculator/). Best of luck man.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
Realistically, it's hard to know whether we passed the bar or not. However, from the postings of the essays/PT, we can determine based on what we remember we wrote, if we were on the right track with our essays and PT. Too bad I'll have no idea how my PT was because I remember writing so fast that I don't remember much of what I said (besides her lack of memory not fitting the definition of moral turpitude, the fact that the impending merger was well known and she had evidence to prove there was research online she had conducted, etc.).MBernard wrote:If you're a top student plus you studied hard, more likely than not you passed. Typically the explanation for why those people who perform well academically but don't pass lies with how they studied. I have a friend who was succeeded in law school (USC) but failed the CBX and I have a friend from out of state who did poorly in law school but still passed Ca. These kinds of stories are somewhat common, what separated them I believe was the the time they spent engaging with the material. If you know you studied hard then you probably did.lnu1992 wrote:I keep getting anxious about results. I graduated in the top 5% of my class and I studied really hard. I feel like there’s always a few students every year at my school who don’t pass even though they did well in law school. I finished the written sessions probably 15 min early. I know I missed some stuff in evidence but I couldn’t think of anything else to write for the other essays. Anyone else finish early? I know a lot of people ran out of time so that is why I’m nervous.
I also screwed up the pension analysis for CP. anyone know of a good bar score calculator to ease my mind? I was scoring 75-80% accuracy on MBEs so hoping that I can get a few 60s or 55s on my essays and still pass.
Hoping we can overcome the statistics this year.
Finishing early could be a good sign as well, when I took Texas I finished early for the two essay sections and I know for the CBX I also finished both sections early. Evidence really was the only one that I stalled on and gave me trouble. As for Community property, I think I passed but I want to hear the BarSecrets analysis on it because I've heard differing opinions on how the analysis should have gone (some opinions seem viable but others are kind of out there).
Anyway, I definitely have my own set of doubts as well but I'm relying on how hard I've studied plus the analysis from BarSecrets has reassured me somewhat as well. I'm no expert on the CBX grading but I can say from past bar exam experience (Texas) that typically one bad essay or a few mistakes is not going to be fatal.
I'm using the bar calculator posted by jseperac (link - https://ubeessays.com/california-score-calculator/). Best of luck man.
This officially marks the 1 month mark. I'm worried about the MBEs more because at least with the essays they are giving us the fact patterns. I
Sometimes I get worried about what other people put, like for example in the Con law essay I didn't talk about sovereign immunity because the fact pattern said they filed suit IN state x and not against state x and didn't say who was sued. Additionally, the questions asked what claims Peter and Corporation could make. On the other hand, it would have been prudent of me to quickly analyze sovereign immunity in 2 sentences, but I didn't see it being the main issue like I heard some people saying. I did not talk about the contracts clause, but did standing, DCC, P&I (for Peter only), and EQP. I thought the crux was the market participant/discrimination against out of staters, but the contracts clause I think would be a good secondary claim to make.
I'm really hoping for the CP one I got right that the pension lump sum was likely SP but the monthly installments were CP. I also thought the house was the CP proration rule, and there was no transmutation. Also Wilma commingled and Harry's account was CP. The personal injury is CP unless interests of justice say otherwise until divorce SP. But I forgot if I wrote that because my analysis on that part was short.
I thought the PR one was pretty easy so this one I hope they aren't strict with the curve because most people would pass: reasonable fees, contingency fees, competency, retainer requirements, and conflicts of interest.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
Yep. This was a California evidence exam and the "OJ rule" is unique to California. I only knew that rule by sheer luck when two days before the exam I ran across it and wrote it several times. If that rule wasn't supposed to be tested, then there was a serious fuck-up in selecting that fact pattern.estefanchanning wrote:I'm also surprised bar secrets didn't pick up on CA's rape shield equivalent for domestic violence victims. Or the OJ exception.
This makes me doubt their analysis, frankly, for this essay as well as the rest.
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
For what it's worth, law school grades have historically been the best predictor of bar exam success. LSAT scores, the ranking of your law school or your undergrad GPA doesn't usually correlate with passing the bar, but law school grades have been a good predictor of bar exam success. So, since you have top grades and you studied hard, you probably passed.lnu1992 wrote:I keep getting anxious about results. I graduated in the top 5% of my class and I studied really hard. I feel like there’s always a few students every year at my school who don’t pass even though they did well in law school. I finished the written sessions probably 15 min early. I know I missed some stuff in evidence but I couldn’t think of anything else to write for the other essays. Anyone else finish early? I know a lot of people ran out of time so that is why I’m nervous.
I also screwed up the pension analysis for CP. anyone know of a good bar score calculator to ease my mind? I was scoring 75-80% accuracy on MBEs so hoping that I can get a few 60s or 55s on my essays and still pass.
Hoping we can overcome the statistics this year.
https://abovethelaw.com/2013/09/whats-t ... -the-lsat/
http://www.nationaljurist.com/content/g ... tudy-finds
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- MBernard
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
The Con Law question was pretty much a verbatim repeat from February 2005 (Question 6). If you have an Ca essay book that contains older essay answers I'd take a look at it. The only real difference is that I feel as though with this question you could mention Standing and Sovereign Immunity. Didn't talk about Contracts Clause myself, but that might be a good idea as well. Mentioned the same points as yourself but also included a Due Process Claim as well as the Sovereign Immunity Claim (both are more ancillary I feel). Probably we're both safe on that one.mathandthelaw wrote: Sometimes I get worried about what other people put, like for example in the Con law essay I didn't talk about sovereign immunity because the fact pattern said they filed suit IN state x and not against state x and didn't say who was sued. Additionally, the questions asked what claims Peter and Corporation could make. On the other hand, it would have been prudent of me to quickly analyze sovereign immunity in 2 sentences, but I didn't see it being the main issue like I heard some people saying. I did not talk about the contracts clause, but did standing, DCC, P&I (for Peter only), and EQP. I thought the crux was the market participant/discrimination against out of staters, but the contracts clause I think would be a good secondary claim to make.
Noticed a significant amount of people conflicted on the characterization of the monthly installments. I have the typed lecture for Barbri's 2016 Community Property discussion and Prof. Waterstone (lecturer) stated that unlike Pension benefits, disability and worker's comp are classified according to when they are received not when earned. So based on that I'd assume that the monthly payments would constitute SP because they were earned by the wife prior to when she was married. I don't think the wage replacement rule is applicable to Pension but maybe I'm wrong...mathandthelaw wrote: I'm really hoping for the CP one I got right that the pension lump sum was likely SP but the monthly installments were CP. I also thought the house was the CP proration rule, and there was no transmutation. Also Wilma commingled and Harry's account was CP. The personal injury is CP unless interests of justice say otherwise until divorce SP. But I forgot if I wrote that because my analysis on that part was short.
I thought the PR one was pretty easy so this one I hope they aren't strict with the curve because most people would pass: reasonable fees, contingency fees, competency, retainer requirements, and conflicts of interest.
As for the townhouse, I wrote up an analysis for the CP portion (e.g. principle debt reduction attributable to CP / Purchase Price).
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Re: 2018 July California Bar
You are right, the pension is when earned, so even the monthly payments wouldn't count. Thanks for letting us know. I improperly used the time rule but the pension was earned prior to the marriage. So it should all have been SP but Wilma still commingled with the freelance work. Luckily it didn't change affect my analysis too much with the townhouse (proration rule) and motorboat (title was in her name but it was not presumed to be a gift to Wilma). And neither would get reimbursed for the expenses.MBernard wrote:The Con Law question was pretty much a verbatim repeat from February 2005 (Question 6). If you have an Ca essay book that contains older essay answers I'd take a look at it. The only real difference is that I feel as though with this question you could mention Standing and Sovereign Immunity. Didn't talk about Contracts Clause myself, but that might be a good idea as well. Mentioned the same points as yourself but also included a Due Process Claim as well as the Sovereign Immunity Claim (both are more ancillary I feel). Probably we're both safe on that one.mathandthelaw wrote: Sometimes I get worried about what other people put, like for example in the Con law essay I didn't talk about sovereign immunity because the fact pattern said they filed suit IN state x and not against state x and didn't say who was sued. Additionally, the questions asked what claims Peter and Corporation could make. On the other hand, it would have been prudent of me to quickly analyze sovereign immunity in 2 sentences, but I didn't see it being the main issue like I heard some people saying. I did not talk about the contracts clause, but did standing, DCC, P&I (for Peter only), and EQP. I thought the crux was the market participant/discrimination against out of staters, but the contracts clause I think would be a good secondary claim to make.
Noticed a significant amount of people conflicted on the characterization of the monthly installments. I have the typed lecture for Barbri's 2016 Community Property discussion and Prof. Waterstone (lecturer) stated that unlike Pension benefits, disability and worker's comp are classified according to when they are received not when earned. So based on that I'd assume that the monthly payments would constitute SP because they were earned by the wife prior to when she was married. I don't think the wage replacement rule is applicable to Pension but maybe I'm wrong...mathandthelaw wrote: I'm really hoping for the CP one I got right that the pension lump sum was likely SP but the monthly installments were CP. I also thought the house was the CP proration rule, and there was no transmutation. Also Wilma commingled and Harry's account was CP. The personal injury is CP unless interests of justice say otherwise until divorce SP. But I forgot if I wrote that because my analysis on that part was short.
I thought the PR one was pretty easy so this one I hope they aren't strict with the curve because most people would pass: reasonable fees, contingency fees, competency, retainer requirements, and conflicts of interest.
As for the townhouse, I wrote up an analysis for the CP portion (e.g. principle debt reduction attributable to CP / Purchase Price).
So I think community property was my worst essay based upon getting the pension wrong. I'm hoping for a 60 on it.
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- Posts: 36
- Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 10:04 pm
Re: 2018 July California Bar
Not much solace when you struggled to get to a top 50% GPA like I did. Aside from that I reject the GPA=success notion considering Stanford has a 98% pass rate. Although they don't have a GPA system like most other schools, that wouldn't have an impact on bar success (under the GPA=success assumption). Whether or not they imposed a curve system, the students they have would still be the students they have. And 98/100 of those students are passing the CA bar. Likewise, USC, UCLA, Berkeley have high pass rates but their students can't all have high GPAsJohnnieSockran wrote:For what it's worth, law school grades have historically been the best predictor of bar exam success. LSAT scores, the ranking of your law school or your undergrad GPA doesn't usually correlate with passing the bar, but law school grades have been a good predictor of bar exam success. So, since you have top grades and you studied hard, you probably passed.lnu1992 wrote:I keep getting anxious about results. I graduated in the top 5% of my class and I studied really hard. I feel like there’s always a few students every year at my school who don’t pass even though they did well in law school. I finished the written sessions probably 15 min early. I know I missed some stuff in evidence but I couldn’t think of anything else to write for the other essays. Anyone else finish early? I know a lot of people ran out of time so that is why I’m nervous.
I also screwed up the pension analysis for CP. anyone know of a good bar score calculator to ease my mind? I was scoring 75-80% accuracy on MBEs so hoping that I can get a few 60s or 55s on my essays and still pass.
Hoping we can overcome the statistics this year.
https://abovethelaw.com/2013/09/whats-t ... -the-lsat/
http://www.nationaljurist.com/content/g ... tudy-finds
88% of UCLA law graduates are passing the bar, 2.0 and all.
I am a lowly T100, I stand no chance. Feel free to have my plant when I pack up my office November 17th
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- Posts: 83
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2018 12:23 pm
Re: 2018 July California Bar
You make a good point, especially with the top 25 law schools because the middle/top GPA of those schools is very hard to achieve. But I don't agree with your analysis of YOU. If you studied really hard for the bar and prepared efficiently, you have a chance of passing just like the rest of us. GPA helps (even in top tier schools) only for the fact that that person was consistently above the curve means a likelihood that they could also be above the curve in the bar. But what is MOST important in my judgment, is a person's preparation for the bar exam.diatribe wrote:Not much solace when you struggled to get to a top 50% GPA like I did. Aside from that I reject the GPA=success notion considering Stanford has a 98% pass rate. Although they don't have a GPA system like most other schools, that wouldn't have an impact on bar success (under the GPA=success assumption). Whether or not they imposed a curve system, the students they have would still be the students they have. And 98/100 of those students are passing the CA bar. Likewise, USC, UCLA, Berkeley have high pass rates but their students can't all have high GPAsJohnnieSockran wrote:For what it's worth, law school grades have historically been the best predictor of bar exam success. LSAT scores, the ranking of your law school or your undergrad GPA doesn't usually correlate with passing the bar, but law school grades have been a good predictor of bar exam success. So, since you have top grades and you studied hard, you probably passed.lnu1992 wrote:I keep getting anxious about results. I graduated in the top 5% of my class and I studied really hard. I feel like there’s always a few students every year at my school who don’t pass even though they did well in law school. I finished the written sessions probably 15 min early. I know I missed some stuff in evidence but I couldn’t think of anything else to write for the other essays. Anyone else finish early? I know a lot of people ran out of time so that is why I’m nervous.
I also screwed up the pension analysis for CP. anyone know of a good bar score calculator to ease my mind? I was scoring 75-80% accuracy on MBEs so hoping that I can get a few 60s or 55s on my essays and still pass.
Hoping we can overcome the statistics this year.
https://abovethelaw.com/2013/09/whats-t ... -the-lsat/
http://www.nationaljurist.com/content/g ... tudy-finds
88% of UCLA law graduates are passing the bar, 2.0 and all.
I am a lowly T100, I stand no chance. Feel free to have my plant when I pack up my office November 17th
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
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