Take bar exam right before you start practicing or does it matter? Forum

[chapmacol]

Hi all,

So I'm a law school graduate who is finishing up a PhD I was doing concurrently. I'm thinking about big law once my PhD is done (I haven't decided though).

I have time on my hand right now, my PhD will take some more time to finish up, I'm guessing 6+ months.

I could study for the bar exam right now, OR I could put it off until right before I plan to apply for law firm jobs. My question is, how important is it for big law interviews and practice (or even for smaller firms) to have the bar exam information fresh in your mind?

Thanks!

[Lacepiece23]

Hi all,

So I'm a law school graduate who is finishing up a PhD I was doing concurrently. I'm thinking about big law once my PhD is done (I haven't decided though).

I have time on my hand right now, my PhD will take some more time to finish up, I'm guessing 6+ months.

I could study for the bar exam right now, OR I could put it off until right before I plan to apply for law firm jobs. My question is, how important is it for big law interviews and practice (or even for smaller firms) to have the bar exam information fresh in your mind?

Thanks!

Not important at all to have that info fresh in your mind. It is important to have passed the exam. Firms aren’t going to really want to hire you until you’ve passed if you’re not coming in the traditional way.

Get it knocked out while you have time.

[Mr. Kister]

Knock it out now. I find little of what I learned in law school or on the bar exam useful for day to day practice. Might be different for litigators though.

[CanadianWolf]

Take the bar exam as your career depends upon bar membership. Also, some get unexpected surprises during the character & fitness background check that could cause months long delays.

For litigators, civil procedure & evidence are important.