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I'm a 3L taking a UBE bar exam. I'm going to a big firm in an insular market where I had to pitch my ties and desire to spend my life in the region verrrrrry hard to get this job. However, while I wouldn't mind doing some years here, I'd like to probably end up in California, where my family/friends/etc are.

Obviously, California in typical California fashion doesn't give reciprocity to anyone.

How would you guys approach getting Bar'ed in California, so that I more easily facilitate a lateral down the road? I monitor job openings in my area, and it seems like most openings want or strongly prefer being barred in CA. My practice area is one of the areas most in-demand in CA, which is nice (think tech).

I see Barbri offers taking a big discount on two bar exam courses if you take within I think 2 or 3 years. I was thinking maybe, take my first state this July obviously, and then secretly studying for the Cal Bar and taking in maybe February with some part-time studying. I figure: Maybe I fail, in which case nobody ever knows. Or, maybe I pass, and I'm all set to lateral down the road. Thing is, would my current firm find out I passed the CA bar? I'm frankly not sure if they would fire me if they found out, but it would be a HUGE "WTF????" since I basically 100% disavowed CA in favor of the smaller market in my interviews with them.

Frankly any advice on the situation would be appreciated. Or if anyone has gone through a similar situation. I know some firms might give you time off before starting to let you take the CA bar, but it seems like it would be wayyyy easier to get into the (very tough) CA market having already passed the bar.

Thanks.

Feel free to PM me. Can offer detailed advice.

I think if you wait five years, CA does offer a baby bar which would potentially require less prep.

Aside from that, it would just be hell but I know a handful of people who prepped nights and weekends for the bar and passed. Just be okay with giving up months of your life for this.

I am licensed in New Jersey and New York and am considering taking the Cali bar as well. I am thinking of sitting for the February bar during the middle of my clerkship.

I am contemplating the exact same thing. But I was wondering if nice firm/in-house opportunities even exist in desirable parts of California (SV/SF/LA) for out-of-state laterals. My understanding is that California 1st year hiring is brutal and I assume lateral market is very insular as well. I don't want to waste the time studying for that monster if my odds aren't good to begin with. I'm a junior corp associate at a V50 in a major secondary market. Went to college in the Bay Area (S/B) and most of my closest friends are still there.

My firm sends around some sort of malpractice questionnaire every couple years where you have to list the states you're barred in. So for me, I could not have a secret bar. (Thought about it once, but now we're staying in the area.)