July 2016 California Bar Exam Forum

[hockeyman969]

Best of luck to you guys on this, the waiting sucks because you have time to stew on your errors...most of you will make it

[Spartan_Alum_12]

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

Regarding question 1: I messed up service too but used CA rules, would that really drop you to a 50? PJ was the big issue in that question, so I would think if you analyzed that well and hit the venue and removal questions, you can get a 60/65?

[2TimesTheCharm]

Regarding question 1: I messed up service too but used CA rules, would that really drop you to a 50? PJ was the big issue in that question, so I would think if you analyzed that well and hit the venue and removal questions, you can get a 60/65?

You might be okay for messing up service but using CA rules. I used FRCP and pretended they were CA rules, threw in useless and confusing sentences (which were completely irrelevant) prefacing the PJ analysis, and purposely stayed vague re: venue. (got the right answer, but never explicitly said which rule I was using). So I'm expecting a 50. You might get a 60 for just messing up service.

[chicoalto0649]

Regarding question 1: I messed up service too but used CA rules, would that really drop you to a 50? PJ was the big issue in that question, so I would think if you analyzed that well and hit the venue and removal questions, you can get a 60/65?

You might be okay for messing up service but using CA rules. I used FRCP and pretended they were CA rules, threw in useless and confusing sentences (which were completely irrelevant) prefacing the PJ analysis, and purposely stayed vague re: venue. (got the right answer, but never explicitly said which rule I was using). So I'm expecting a 50. You might get a 60 for just messing up service.

I'm probably mistaken but I thought a 50 is generally quite hard to get, absent some excruciatingly obvious missteps like writing an essay on intentional torts when the call of the question was for analysis of negligence claims. Forgot where I read it, but a majority of essays get between a 55 and 60. Plenty of ways to pick up points with semi-onpoint rule statements and analysis, even if conclusions are off.

Did anyone pick a part the 1st/2nd PT?

[I-object]

Yes it may be crazy, and stressful, but feel compelled to immerse myself in the process.

Anyway as for the other subjects...

4. Community Property
Our issues: whether or not to validate the prenuptial agreement. Most believed it was invalid because it did not meet all the elements, namely seeking outside counsel. BarSecrets points to a fact, "that they both agreed not to seek lawyers", and "they discussed for weeks" arguing it could have been valid. They concluded that it could have been argued the other way. Thus so long as it was discussed using facts was sufficient. They leaned towards the agreement being invalid.
a. House: If agreement valid, the house was CP, otherwise SP
b. Rental: if agreement valid, the rental and its "interest" was CP.
c. Joint Account: Presumptive CP because was in both their names and commingled.
d. Hospital Bill: raised the threshold issue of Separation. Presumably obligating her to the bill, however because they were still married there is a law that protects the injured spouse (forgot facts and video on this) but said H still liable for the bill in the interest of justice and the law that protects spouses under same or similar circumstances.
Me: I covered what was discussed, including the end about the H liable for bill. hoping for 65/70

5. Professional Responsibility
Our issues: I did not read many issues presented. I believe many believed Lawyer represented Equal , President and Company creating the obvious issues of Loyalty. They discussed Potential and Acutal conflicts of interests citing Lawyers relationship with Equal as a potential conflict first , then becoming an actual conflict when he later engaged in conduct creating representation.
a. Potential Conflict of Interest between Company and Equal
b. Actual Conflict between both
c. Duty of Confidentiality, Exceptions, Crime-Fraud, Substantial Financial,
Me. Sorry forgetting facts and video. Its hard to tell how they grade these type exams. Some say they want the distinctions between ABA and California rules. Im praying for 65 though I thought I did real well and deserved a 70

6. Contracts
Our issues: not sure. I think some thought there was time of essence clause, while others did not. Repudiation?
BarSecrets said Builders contract clauses were implied covenants, promises and not conditions because missing conditional language. They also concluded Cover was likely not an issue because not the UCC and because no breach? (please excuse me and see video because im forgetting things at this point in time). In my humble opinion, I discussed the issues I thought some facts triggered (Conditions, Modification, Repudiation, Breach, Cover etc) I believe Cover is applicable to Services contracts. How else can the aggrieved seek a reasonable and timely remedy? Im hoping for 60/65.

Good Luck Everyone!!!

[LockBox]

edit: waiting for results sucks...

[2TimesTheCharm]

I'm probably mistaken but I thought a 50 is generally quite hard to get, absent some excruciatingly obvious missteps like writing an essay on intentional torts when the call of the question was for analysis of negligence claims. Forgot where I read it, but a majority of essays get between a 55 and 60. Plenty of ways to pick up points with semi-onpoint rule statements and analysis, even if conclusions are off.

Did anyone pick a part the 1st/2nd PT?

Thanks for the encouragement. So to get a 50, I think the person has to make an egregious mistake. This for me was not specifying that I was using the CA rules (which I didn't; I used some hybrid of CA and FRCP, as I found out later.) The only part of that question I know is correct is part 4, which asks removal.

Re: PTA and PTB... I read through the Wildomar properties opinion, which seems like an exact replica of PTA, so I'm assuming they're expecting us to make some of the arguments the court made (congressional intent, plaintiff counsel's attempt to twist term meanings beyond their precedent, several policy arguments.) Given that it was supposed to be a persuasive letter, I think we're allowed more/ different arguments as well. No idea re: PTB.

I'm hoping for 65 on both... otherwise I definitely failed the bar.

[MsAvocadoPit]

the days are going to fly by... the nights, not so much.

[lawyer2b_]

the days are going to fly by... the nights, not so much.

Drink some sleepytime tea! It knocks you right out!

[thexfactor]

Do they ever release results earlier than announced?

[a male human]

Do they ever release results earlier than announced?

No

[iliketurtles123]

Do they ever release results earlier than announced?

No

I'm so glad they don't. Otherwise, I'd be on the edge all day everyday.

Just forgetting about the bar results until Friday morning (except when I come on this site). Friday will be hell.

[MsAvocadoPit]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

[LockBox]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

Confirmed

[lawyer2b_]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

If you fail, you will get an error message. If you pass, it will say, "The name above appears on the pass list." (and it will be in green)

[rcharter1978]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

And if your internet somehow goes down and you have to wait for the mail.....a little letter is good, a big letter is bad

[LockBox]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

And if your internet somehow goes down and you have to wait for the mail.....a little letter is good, a big letter is bad

Well, if you fail you receive a little letter with your scores and another page re: signing up for the bar or something to that effect. Correct me if i'm wrong, but it's a bit more substantial of an envelope if you pass (still in a letter-sized envelope).

You only receive your actual essays (e.g., the big letter) a month after scores come out.

[iliketurtles123]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

If you fail, you will get an error message. If you pass, it will say, "The name above appears on the pass list." (and it will be in green)

Can you elaborate? If you fail you can't login?

[AspiringCALawyer]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

If you fail, you will get an error message. If you pass, it will say, "The name above appears on the pass list." (and it will be in green)

Can you elaborate? If you fail you can't login?

Was able to login; however, my name wasn't on list (Feb 2016).

[lawyer2b_]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

If you fail, you will get an error message. If you pass, it will say, "The name above appears on the pass list." (and it will be in green)

Can you elaborate? If you fail you can't login?

Yes you can log in, but I believe it says something to the effect of: "Error: 1. Your name does not appear on the pass list or 2. You entered the wrong information". It's something to that effect. (I can't remember the exact words)

[rcharter1978]

Can someone confirm what the pass / no pass screens will say for Friday?

Red writing bad, green is pass?

And if your internet somehow goes down and you have to wait for the mail.....a little letter is good, a big letter is bad

Well, if you fail you receive a little letter with your scores and another page re: signing up for the bar or something to that effect. Correct me if i'm wrong, but it's a bit more substantial of an envelope if you pass (still in a letter-sized envelope).

You only receive your actual essays (e.g., the big letter) a month after scores come out.

No. You get a small letter if you pass and that's it.

If you fail, you get a larger envelope that gives you your scores and instructions for appeal/explanation of grading.

If you fail you get your essays back a little after the fail letter

[2807]

Someone tell me how to post an image and I'll post an image of the pass screen from mine a few years back..

[iliketurtles123]

Someone tell me how to post an image and I'll post an image of the pass screen from mine a few years back..

Please do. Thanks
The only way I know is:
http://imgur.com/

Then upload, then post the URL link here

[2807]

Someone tell me how to post an image and I'll post an image of the pass screen from mine a few years back..

Please do. Thanks
The only way I know is:
http://imgur.com/

Then upload, then post the URL link here

PM sent to you

[lacrossebrother]