Anyone pass BAR by reading the law? Forum

[cali_legal]

I'm 32, never finished undergrad, but have managed to build a successful career in tech/finance with a parallel focus on real estate development. I'm interested in becoming an attorney via "reading the law" as I believe the knowledge and credentials will further help me on my goal to seek an elected position.

Are there any other non-traditional students who've had experience with forgoing law school in lieu of reading the law to pass the bar? I'd love to hear more and pick your brain.

[kellyfrost]

I'm subscribing to this thread as I am also interested in reading the responses on this topic.

[lymenheimer]

Assuming you're serious: My understanding is that there are only a few states that allow an individual to sit for the bar if they haven't attended(graduated) from law school. I don't think "reading the law" would be sufficient to help you pass the Bar, but a comprehensive Bar Prep program may help, but you would likely need a number of supplemental materials to better understand concepts (or maybe not...idk). However, I don't think a law license will be any more assistive than at least a BA in seeking election/getting elected.

[cali_legal]

Assuming you're serious: My understanding is that there are only a few states that allow an individual to sit for the bar if they haven't attended(graduated) from law school. I don't think "reading the law" would be sufficient to help you pass the Bar, but a comprehensive Bar Prep program may help, but you would likely need a number of supplemental materials to better understand concepts (or maybe not...idk). However, I don't think a law license will be any more assistive than at least a BA in seeking election/getting elected.

California is one of those states. "reading the law" entails more than actual reading. It requires education / apprenticeship through a law office or Judge's Chambers.

More details about the program:
http://admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Educati ... amber.aspx

Re: law license vs. BA: I represent a growing majority of non-traditional professionals who value self-paced experiential-based learning over other more expensive traditional education routes; though, I believe there is a place for both.

[HonestAdvice]

You could do it - just cop a syllabus from somebody else. You don't get much out of going to class. 9 times out of 10 class will be a disgruntled professor looking to get back to their research, and the same 2 or 3 self righteous gentlemen trying to look intelligent to compensate for having small hands. Most of what you learn will be self taught, and it's pretty easy to self teach yourself law.

[lymenheimer]

Assuming you're serious: My understanding is that there are only a few states that allow an individual to sit for the bar if they haven't attended(graduated) from law school. I don't think "reading the law" would be sufficient to help you pass the Bar, but a comprehensive Bar Prep program may help, but you would likely need a number of supplemental materials to better understand concepts (or maybe not...idk). However, I don't think a law license will be any more assistive than at least a BA in seeking election/getting elected.

California is one of those states. "Reading the law" entails more than actual reading. It requires education / apprenticeship through a law office or Judge's Chambers.

More details about the program:
http://admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Educati ... amber.aspx

Re: law license vs. BA: I represent a growing majority of non-traditional professionals who value self-paced experiential-based learning over other more expensive traditional education routes; though, I believe there is a place for both.

Oh. I assumed when you said "reading the law" you meant "reading the law" and not "reading the law". My point (though poorly worded) was that depending upon what office you are seeking, a law license on its own would likely be as valuable as a BA (minimal).

[BigZuck]

Learning the ins and outs of equitable servitudes and habendum clauses ain't gonna do you any good IMO

If you wanna business, do business. You wanna be elected, go get elected. Don't worry about the law stuff, I don't think that's going to help you get where you want to go.

[cali_legal]

Setting aside the motivations for the moment, I would still like to learn more about the experience from someone who's done it.

[pancakes3]

probably not here, given the name of the site but i did manage to google some interesting reads:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/03/educa ... .html?_r=0

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/ ... law_path_t

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-smoot-6a6a9011

http://www.oles.com/professionals/attor ... y-l.-smoot