July 2016 California Bar Exam Forum

[lawyer2b_]

I'm sure you guys did better than you're giving yourself credit for!

[I-object]

July 2016 Questions released. Questions look harder than I remember (after a few months removed since the exam) . That Property Question had a ton of facts. Where and how to allocate Easement and Covenants discussion.?? That Civ Pro Question..How much weight will they give the generally applied FRCP as opposed to CA rules answers etc. Will stay positive and believe I did enough to pass, but boy those questions seemed difficult to say the least.

[sssnuggles]

The CA Civ Pro is interesting and I don't know how they will grade.

The instructions clearly state: "Unless a question expressly asks you to use California law, you should answer according to legal theories and principles of general application."

BUT

The cities used were Caliofornia cities instead of "columbia" etc....... AND they did not "Expressly ask you to use California law"


I'm thinking they forgot to change the language of the instructions (just like they flubbed the baby-bar). Then again.. i'm just speculating.

[rpupkin]

The CA Civ Pro is interesting and I don't know how they will grade.

The instructions clearly state: "Unless a question expressly asks you to use California law, you should answer according to legal theories and principles of general application."

The civ pro questions expressly ask you to use of California civil procedure--e.g., "Does venue properly lie in the Superior Court of California in San Diego?"

[2TimesTheCharm]

It's CA civ pro. I used FRCP too, because I was stupid and didn't know CA civ pro. I'm expecting a 50 on that essay. Just hope you did better on the other ones.

[rcharter1978]

The CA Civ Pro is interesting and I don't know how they will grade.

The instructions clearly state: "Unless a question expressly asks you to use California law, you should answer according to legal theories and principles of general application."

BUT

The cities used were Caliofornia cities instead of "columbia" etc....... AND they did not "Expressly ask you to use California law"


I'm thinking they forgot to change the language of the instructions (just like they flubbed the baby-bar). Then again.. i'm just speculating.

To me, that makes sense. Which is why I think if a significant number of people answered using the FRCP they may give credit.

But I guess all will be revealed very soon!!

[bananasplit19]

tfw the other 49 states plus all territories plus DC have released bar results, and we still just have a red-font countdown clock at https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/exam for the next two weeks

[a male human]

tfw the other 49 states plus all territories plus DC have released bar results, and we still just have a red-font countdown clock at https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/exam for the next two weeks

Wait until it turns into an hourly countdown...

And then a minute countdown...

That's the best part! It's the moment you go face to face with your own soul and sense of mortality.

[MsAvocadoPit]

11 days!

[poundcr]

Bar secrets just posted some debrief videos on their youtube channel. Feel sick, haven't watched yet.

[lawyer2b_]

Bar secrets just posted some debrief videos on their youtube channel. Feel sick, haven't watched yet.

Anybody that can look at those at this point is truly brave~!

[MsAvocadoPit]

Bar secrets just posted some debrief videos on their youtube channel. Feel sick, haven't watched yet.

Just question 1 and 2. Their cal civ pro analysis was straight forward and simple. And they think the graders will be generous / easy on that one because it's the first time they tested on it.

[poundcr]

Bar secrets just posted some debrief videos on their youtube channel. Feel sick, haven't watched yet.

Anybody that can look at those at this point is truly brave~!

I watched but honestly it didn't make me feel much of anything. After 3+ months I cannot remember shit about what I actually wrote.

P.S. They just uploaded two more, lol it looks like literally a few minutes ago.

[Raiden]

Hoping to hear great news from everyone!

[Spartan_Alum_12]

Bar secrets just posted some debrief videos on their youtube channel. Feel sick, haven't watched yet.

Anybody that can look at those at this point is truly brave~!

I watched but honestly it didn't make me feel much of anything. After 3+ months I cannot remember shit about what I actually wrote.

P.S. They just uploaded two more, lol it looks like literally a few minutes ago.

Just listened to the videos and it doesn't really change how I feel. I really screwed up question 2 of essay 2, but I knew that before. That was my worst essay I think. Essay 3 was iffy as well but I think I hit the major issues at least. Essays 1 and 4 were decent, I missed a few small things on those. Essays 5 and 6 were very solid. PT A I think was bad, PT B I think was good. Overall, I still think it could go either way. MBE may decide my fate.

[I-object]

Debriefs: What they said. My comments. Take with a grain of salt.

1. Property Exam.
Our issues: what in Gods Name was covered on this exam?. Lots of Parties, Lots of facts. Lots of twists and turns.
They found: Land Sale contract that merged with the deed, so Merger, Easement, Notice, Warranty...
a. The express grant easement withstood subsequent conveyances.
b. Merger was a major issue that invalidated the contract while it merged with the deed
c. The call asked for a discussion on the Warranty, so accordingly expected all 5 or 6 warranty rights...present and future covenants etc.
Me: I discussed Easement, Covenant running with the land and Notice, so gave myself a 50

2. Civ Pro
Our Issues: California or Federal Rules?
They found: While the call and facts were specific to California, and this was their first California Civ Pro exam, they would not be harsh and accept federal rules. Mainly because Personal Jurisdiction is treated the same as FRCP in this context. Service of Process and Venue were straight forward and handled much the same as FRCP.
a. Service of Process: Plaintiff cant personally serve D1. thus improper. Plaintiff can mail directly to D2 company thus proper
b. Personal Jurisdiction: Expected same approach, Traditional Basis, statutory , for D1, and Minimum Contacts for D2.
c. Venue: I forgot what they said, but was proper as to both (I think)
d. Removal: No because did not meet the Amount in Controversy.
Me: I discussed these same issues in the same order, so im hoping for a 60/65

3. Con Law
Our issues: Some wondered if Substantive Due Process should be included. . Also some wondered if we should include standing on Call 1.
a. BarSecrets did not mention SDP, so answer was No SDP discussion. Also since call 1 asked specifically for Due Process, they all three elements of DP were to be discussed. That P1 had a property right because she was a school teacher, a government employee.
a. Her interests, b. The schools Interests, c. whether sor how much of a fair hearing was she entitled
Call 2 ; Standing, 11th amendment yes could sue state official.
Me: I thought I did okay here. I did include SDP, and maybe not all the elements of PD , so 55/60

have to go, Ill re-state the other three analyzed exams when I return.

[iliketurtles123]

You guys sure are brave to watch these videos. I can't...

You either passed or you didn't and it's so close to the score date that I feel like you should just not think about it now. For me, there's no use stressing right now about how you missed 2 issues on an essay and how it will affect your question. Wait a week, and if you passed, the move on. It won't matter whether they decided to go easy on Civ Pro or not.

If you fail, then you can go back and wonder what you did wrong. But right now, just don't stress about it (easier said than done)

Basically, I guess I'm saying that by looking at the analysis, you might be creating more stress/problems right now that won't matter in a week (if you pass).

Anyway, good luck everyone!

[a male human]

By this time in one week, you will be celebrating or ... not celebrating.

If it's the latter, know that it's not the end of the world. What's the worst-case scenario? Whatever it is, it can most likely be dealt with.

There are next steps you can take. I'll offer some thoughts, as I'm sure others will. Best of luck until then!

[AspiringCALawyer]

By this time in one week, you will be celebrating or ... not celebrating.

If it's the latter, know that it's not the end of the world. What's the worst-case scenario? Whatever it is, it can most likely be dealt with.

There are next steps you can take. I'll offer some thoughts, as I'm sure others will. Best of luck until then!

I know what to expect if one fails; however, if one passes, does just your number appear on the website or also your name?

[a male human]

By this time in one week, you will be celebrating or ... not celebrating.

If it's the latter, know that it's not the end of the world. What's the worst-case scenario? Whatever it is, it can most likely be dealt with.

There are next steps you can take. I'll offer some thoughts, as I'm sure others will. Best of luck until then!

I know what to expect if one fails; however, if one passes, does just your number appear on the website or also your name?

If you passed, you'll see your application number, your file number, your name, and an indication that your name appears on the pass list.

Thanks to a recent policy change, there is no longer a public pass list with names (which means I can no longer stalk people to see if they passed ).

[AspiringCALawyer]

By this time in one week, you will be celebrating or ... not celebrating.

If it's the latter, know that it's not the end of the world. What's the worst-case scenario? Whatever it is, it can most likely be dealt with.

There are next steps you can take. I'll offer some thoughts, as I'm sure others will. Best of luck until then!

I know what to expect if one fails; however, if one passes, does just your number appear on the website or also your name?

If you passed, you'll see your application number, your file number, your name, and an indication that your name appears on the pass list.

Thanks to a recent policy change, there is no longer a public pass list with names (which means I can no longer stalk people to see if they passed ).

Thanks. Friday can't come soon enough!

[2TimesTheCharm]

I think my chances of passing just dropped to 0.

Essay 1: Used FRCP, messed up service
Essay 2: Messed up second call
Essay 3: Fell for the red herring and made the wrong guy liable, according to Bar Secrets
Essay 4: (Fine, probably the only one that's fine)
Essay 5: Found the prenup valid, ran out of time and had typos towards the end
Essay 6: Missed an issue somewhere

[rcharter1978]

I think my chances of passing just dropped to 0.

Essay 1: Used FRCP, messed up service
Essay 2: Messed up second call
Essay 3: Fell for the red herring and made the wrong guy liable, according to Bar Secrets
Essay 4: (Fine, probably the only one that's fine)
Essay 5: Found the prenup valid, ran out of time and had typos towards the end
Essay 6: Missed an issue somewhere

1) As others have said, I think they may not be so tough on you if you used the FRCP -- but lets assume you did awful and got like a 55
2) how did you mess up the second call?
3) i think the conclusion you draw is less important than having solid reasoning -- I would imagine this applies even if you fell for the red herring
4) Good
5) did you finish at all? I'm sure typos are annoying, but common
6) depending on the size of the issue this isn't a grade killer. Remember, you can miss 35 points and still be doing pretty well on an essay

AND, PT's are worth like 2 essays, so you can make up points there.

I don't want to give you false hope, but it doesn't sound like an impossible situation.

[2TimesTheCharm]

I think my chances of passing just dropped to 0.

Essay 1: Used FRCP, messed up service
Essay 2: Messed up second call
Essay 3: Fell for the red herring and made the wrong guy liable, according to Bar Secrets
Essay 4: (Fine, probably the only one that's fine)
Essay 5: Found the prenup valid, ran out of time and had typos towards the end
Essay 6: Missed an issue somewhere

1) As others have said, I think they may not be so tough on you if you used the FRCP -- but lets assume you did awful and got like a 55
2) how did you mess up the second call?
3) i think the conclusion you draw is less important than having solid reasoning -- I would imagine this applies even if you fell for the red herring
4) Good
5) did you finish at all? I'm sure typos are annoying, but common
6) depending on the size of the issue this isn't a grade killer. Remember, you can miss 35 points and still be doing pretty well on an essay

AND, PT's are worth like 2 essays, so you can make up points there.

I don't want to give you false hope, but it doesn't sound like an impossible situation.

1. I would celebrate a 55; I've been counting it as a 50
2. I answered the first part wrong, and answered the second part with the answer of the first part, so 50
3. My reason was that D did anticipatory repudiate, even though timing was not of the essence. I said because he was refusing to show, then demanded more money, then refused to show again, he was showing clear signs of refusing to honor the contract. I also said that given the strict dates, it could be inferred that timing was of the essence. (I should be B's crappy lawyer)
5. I definitely finished, but some words are missing letters and a CP became "CLP" (missed and hit both letters at the same time)
6. Instead of including "notice to withdraw", I just said he shouldn't have taken because of conflict of interest and the fact that he continued on means he violated CoI

[rcharter1978]

6) I think PR essays are always the longest and filled with the most points because you have to answer according to CA and Fed Rules. So maybe missing an issue here won't be as much of a shitstorm as you think if you caught everything else.