Cecily Zamora
Kim Kardashian West, the famous reality TV star, businesswoman, and model, has been making headlines for her journey to becoming a lawyer. In 2019, Kardashian West announced her decision to pursue a legal career through a rarely used apprenticeship program in California, following in the footsteps of historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. While facing criticism and pushback on social media, Kardashian West has been dedicated to her studies, passing the challenging baby bar exam in 2021 after three attempts. As she continues her legal education, the question arises: can Kim Kardashian practice law outside of California, the state where she began her apprenticeship?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can Kim Kardashian practice law outside California | No, she is not qualified to practice law in any state yet. She is currently studying to become a lawyer in California. |
| How is she studying to become a lawyer | Kim Kardashian is studying to become a lawyer through a rarely used apprenticeship program. She started her law apprenticeship in California in mid-2019. |
| What is the apprenticeship program called | The program is called "reading the law". |
| How rare is the program | The program is exceptionally rare today but was once the norm. |
| How long does the program last | The program lasts at least four years. |
| What does she need to do to become a lawyer | Kim Kardashian will have to pass the California Bar Examination. She has already passed the "baby bar" exam. |
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What You'll Learn
Kim Kardashian's law apprenticeship
Kim Kardashian's path to lawyerdom is sometimes called "reading the law", which is a JD via apprenticeship without the actual degree. In 2019, Kim Kardashian revealed to Vogue that she decided to begin a four-year apprenticeship with a San Francisco-based law firm under a California program for those without formal qualifications. Kardashian's apprenticeship involves studying three subjects: criminal law, torts, and contracts. She has to take the First-Year Law Students' Examination, also known as the "baby bar", which she passed in 2021. The "baby bar" is a challenging test that often sees a pass rate of under or around 20%.
Kardashian's path to becoming a lawyer is a rarely-used one. Apprenticeships were once the norm, but with the advent of law schools in the 1870s, the number of lawyers-via-apprenticeship dwindled. In 2015, only 13 of the attorneys who passed the bar in the US were admitted via apprenticeship. Today, only four states continue to permit legal apprenticeships, and California is one of them.
Kardashian's decision to pursue law was inspired by her success in helping to win the release of two women from US prisons. Her late father, Robert Kardashian, was also a prominent Los Angeles lawyer who was part of the legal team representing O.J. Simpson in his 1995 trial. Kardashian has stated that she wants to "fight to fix" the criminal justice system.
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Kim's plans to take the bar exam
Kim Kardashian West first revealed her intention to become a lawyer in 2019, and she is well on her way to achieving this goal. She is currently studying law in California, where she is taking part in a four-year apprenticeship with a law firm in San Francisco, which began in 2019. This apprenticeship involves studying under a practising lawyer or judge. This method of studying for the law, known as 'reading the law', is a rarely used but legitimate path to becoming a lawyer. Kardashian West has stated that she chose this path because it was her 'only option', perhaps referring to the fact that she does not have a college degree.
Kardashian West has faced criticism for her decision to pursue law, with some people claiming that her privilege and wealth have given her an unfair advantage. However, she has defended herself against these accusations, stating that the route she has chosen is open to anyone whose state allows it, and that it is not an easy option. She has also emphasised that she spends her free time studying and preparing for exams.
Kardashian West has already passed the 'baby bar' exam, also known as the First-Year Law Students' Examination, which she took in 2021 after three failed attempts. The exam consists of four one-hour essays and 100 multiple-choice questions on the topics of contracts, criminal law, and torts. The pass rate is usually under or around 20%.
Kardashian West has also taken the MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination), a test on legal ethics and professional conduct, which is necessary to take the bar. She plans to take the bar in 2026. In California, she will need to take two bar exams, which have a harder pass rate than the traditional law school route.
Kardashian West has stated that she is currently studying constitutional law and that she is finding it challenging. However, she has achieved high scores in her midterms, which has given her a 'boost of confidence'.
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Kim's journey to qualify as a lawyer
Kim Kardashian's journey to becoming a lawyer began in 2018 when she started studying law through an apprenticeship with lawyers in the field. She revealed her ambition to become a lawyer in the May 2019 issue of Vogue, explaining that she was inspired by her work with CNN commentator and criminal justice reform advocate Van Jones. She also cited her late father, Robert Kardashian, who was an attorney, as an influence.
Kardashian is pursuing a path to qualification that does not require her to attend law school. In California, where she is studying, it is possible to become a lawyer through a combination of apprenticeship and examinations. This route is known as "reading the law" and has a long history in the U.S., with Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson both becoming lawyers through apprenticeships. Kardashian has faced criticism for this unconventional path, with some suggesting that her privilege and wealth have afforded her this opportunity. However, she has defended her decision, stating that it is available to anyone whose state allows it and that it is not an easy option.
Kardashian's studies have included torts, contracts, and criminal law. She has also shared her experiences on social media, including the challenges she has faced, such as neglecting her social life and spending weekends away from her children to study. In 2021, she passed the baby bar exam, a necessary step towards becoming a lawyer, on her fourth attempt. This exam is a challenging test consisting of four one-hour essays and 100 multiple-choice questions, with a pass rate of under or around 20%.
Kardashian is now continuing her studies towards achieving a full law qualification. To become a qualified lawyer, she will need to pass the California Bar Examination. In an interview in May 2023, she confirmed that she is still working hard towards this goal, currently studying constitutional law, and finding it tough. However, she remains committed to her goal, stating that she wants to focus on criminal justice reform and advocate for wrongfully convicted people.
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Kim's controversial path to law
Kim Kardashian's path to law has been a controversial one. The reality TV star and businesswoman first revealed her intention to become a lawyer in 2019, and she has since been working towards this goal through a rarely used apprenticeship program. This path, known as "reading the law," has been described by some as a shortcut or an easy way out. However, Kardashian West has defended her choice, stating that it is a challenging and rewarding journey.
Kardashian West's decision to pursue a legal career has sparked a range of reactions, from pushback and criticism to words of encouragement. Some have questioned whether her public sexual identity and lack of a college degree qualify her for a career in law. However, others, like Harper's Bazaar political editor Jennifer Wright, have defended her, arguing that her path to lawyerdom is a valid one with a long history in the U.S., citing Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson as examples of lawyers who became lawyers through apprenticeships.
Kardashian West's journey towards becoming a lawyer has not been an easy one. She has had to balance her studies with her busy career and family life, often spending her weekends and free time studying and preparing for exams. She has also had to navigate the challenges of a non-traditional law school route, which some top lawyers have described as "a close to impossible journey." Despite these obstacles, Kardashian West has persevered and passed several important exams, including the baby bar exam in 2021 and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in 2025.
Kardashian West's decision to pursue a legal career may be influenced by her desire to protect her children's well-being and safety, particularly in light of her ex-husband Kanye West's controversial behavior. She is also considering changing her custody agreement with West after he included their eldest daughter, North, in a song without her approval. In addition, Kardashian West's growing business empire, including brands like SKIMS and SKKN, may have prompted her to study the law to better understand the ins and outs of criminal justice reform work and protect her business interests.
Kardashian West's path to becoming a lawyer is an unconventional one, but it is important to note that California, the state in which she is studying, is one of only four states that permit legal apprenticeship. While she has faced criticism and challenges along the way, she has also received support and encouragement from fans, family, and legal professionals. As of her last update in 2024, Kardashian West was still working hard towards her goal of becoming a lawyer, studying constitutional law while also preparing for the California Bar Examination, which she plans to take in 2026.
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Kim's law school journey
Kim Kardashian's law school journey began in 2018 when she decided to pursue a career in law, following in her late father Robert Kardashian's footsteps. Robert Kardashian was an attorney who gained notoriety serving on O.J. Simpson's defence team. Kim chose to become a lawyer through a rarely used apprenticeship program, a route that was once considered the traditional way to become a lawyer. She joined a four-year apprenticeship with a law firm in San Francisco, California, to learn about criminal justice reform work.
Kim's decision to become a lawyer received some pushback on social media, with some people critiquing her unconventional path. However, she defended her choice, stating that it was not a result of her privilege or money, but rather a valid option available to anyone whose state allows it. She also shared that her journey was not easy, requiring her to spend weekends away from her children to study.
In 2019, Kim revealed to Vogue that she planned to become a lawyer without getting a law degree. She explained that she needed 60 college credits to take part in "reading the law," which involves an apprenticeship with lawyers in the field. Despite the challenges, Kim remained dedicated to her studies, even neglecting her duties on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" to focus on her torts homework and contracts law. She also shared that University of Washington contracts professor Steve Calandrillo was her favourite law professor.
In 2021, Kim passed the "baby bar" exam, also known as the First-Year Law Students' Examination, on her fourth attempt. This exam is a requirement for those studying law through an apprenticeship and is known for its challenging nature, with a pass rate of around 20%. Kim shared her pride in achieving this milestone, acknowledging that her journey had not been easy. She also expressed her determination to continue pushing through the challenges of her law school journey.
Kim's next step was to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) in Los Angeles, which is required for practising law in California. As of 2024, Kim is still working hard towards qualifying as a lawyer, studying constitutional law while balancing her other commitments. She has expressed her passion for criminal justice reform work and her desire to become an attorney full time.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Kim Kardashian is not yet a qualified lawyer, but she is working towards it.
Kim Kardashian is studying law in California. She started her apprenticeship with a law firm in San Francisco in 2019.
There is no indication that Kim Kardashian plans to practice law outside of California. She has chosen an apprenticeship route to qualify as a lawyer, and California is one of only four states that permit this.
Kim Kardashian has passed the 'baby bar' exam, also known as the First-Year Law Students' Examination, in 2021. She has also passed the MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination).
