Any tips on how to find job after you failed the bar? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I won't elaborate on my circumstances. To sum up, I took a UBE state bar in July and unfortunately failed, though being only a couple of points below the cutoff score. At this moment, probably 99.99% legal employers would rather hire someone who has already passed the bar. I'm already starting on bar review now, and I have to crush it this time.

Suppose that I am lucky enough to pass the February bar, it will be April by the time results come out. Does anyone have tips on how to find legal employment during October 2019 to April 2020?

My savings won't sustain so many months if I do a full-time unpaid intern the whole time, and yet I don't want to leave law altogether. While I'm willing to do anything that is paid, I'd prefer to get some legal experience, rather than waiting tables or bagging groceries.

I know doc review is an option, but not many doc review projects accept non-admitted JD grads.

[acr]

Are you eligible for admission to any jurisdictions with your UBE score? Even if you failed the state you took it in, you could transfer the score elsewhere.

[QContinuum]

Are you eligible for admission to any jurisdictions with your UBE score? Even if you failed the state you took it in, you could transfer the score elsewhere.

TITCR. There are five states with a 260 minimum (AL, MN, MO, NM, ND), and additional states with cutoffs at 266, 270, 272, 273, 274, and 276. If OP's in Alaska with its lofty 280 minimum, it may be time to consider experiencing life in the lower 48.

I understand many would rather not move to AL or ND, but MN, MO and NM should be seriously considered by anyone who's in between 260 and 265.

[Wubbles]

Iirc Missouri is known on this board for being easy and quick to get barred in with a UBE score from another state

[QContinuum]

Iirc Missouri is known on this board for being easy and quick to get barred in with a UBE score from another state

Between Alabama, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico and North Dakota there's a 260 state to suit just about every preference out there, IMO, whether it's the Deep South, the Midwest, the Great Plains, a red state, a blue state, a rural locale, a more urban environment...

[Bnonymous]

Have you looked into trial-court clerkships in your area? It's a little late in the game, but they don't require bar passage. Might be an option.

[biglaw_advice]

I don't know firsthand, but I'll offer my two cents. I think it's possible but it will (as you know) be a grind. You have to pass the bar next time, you know this and it sounds like you are all in. Agree with what others have said have about looking to other states (I'm pre-UBE so don't really know how that works). That said, treat the bar like a full-time job with weekend work. Crank out 8-10 hours of bar study a day, exercise, and send emails to lawyers who went to your law school at night. Find alums willing to go to bat for you. I don't have all your info (school rank, what you did after 1L and 2L summers, etc) but I know this is a route that worked for me during law school and is worth a shot. People want to help you get a job - especially people from your law school. Here's a template that worked for me: https://biglawadvice.com/2018/10/09/sam ... for-alums/ that can be molded to work for you to at least grow your network. It will be a lot easier (obviously) if you are already in the city where you want to work after passing the bar this Feb. You got this.

[Knycaolaw]

As someone who failed the bar 3 times before passing finally I know what you’re going through and it’s very tough. My advice is this. First your priority has to be passing the bar exam and it sounds like it is, which is good. Too many people like myself who have failed, assume they will pass the next time and work as many hours as they can on doc review and projects when they should be studying. Remember if you don’t pass, nothing else with your career matters right now. Next is that while I was able to find some doc review that didn’t require passing the bar, I had family connections. I’m assuming you don’t or you wouldn’t be asking here about this, but still if you do have any connections, even like law school professors or friends who work in law firms now, don’t hesitate to ask them for help. You’d be surprised at how much many of these people will try to help you find something part time while you study again. Last, I would try this law referral service called ilaw. it is pretty amazing. And if you post your situation in there, I’ll bet lots of attorneys who need temporary help will contact you to discuss part time jobs. Keep your eye on the prize which is passing so you can work as a lawyer full time