Has anyone taken the bar in all 50 states?
Asked by: Jayme Zboncak | Last update: February 13, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (3 votes)
While there's no definitive public list confirming someone has passed all 50 U.S. state bar exams, it's highly improbable and extremely rare, as it's a monumental feat requiring immense study for vastly different state laws, though some lawyers are admitted in many states through reciprocity or the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Most lawyers focus on a few states where they practice, with admission in all 50 being an almost impossible undertaking due to varied laws, testing formats, and legal systems (like Louisiana's civil law).
Is it possible to pass the bar in every state?
It is possible to become a multi-state lawyer, and best of all, you may not even have to take more than one bar exam. Read on to learn more about how to practice law in multiple states and the benefits it can offer you.
Can a lawyer practice in all 50 states?
The general rule is a lawyer can only practice law in a state court when they have been admitted to the bar of that state. An exception would be when the attorney is admitted on a pro hac vice basis, where the out-of-state lawyer can practice with an in-state attorney acting as local counsel.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
What is Bar Reciprocity and Which States Allow You to Waive Into the Bar?
How many times can you fail the bar exam?
You can usually fail the bar exam an unlimited number of times, as most states have no cap, but some have limits (e.g., 3-6 attempts) that can sometimes be extended with special permission, while a few have strict "hard limits," so checking your specific jurisdiction's rules is crucial.
Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?
As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
Did Joe Biden ever pass the bar?
Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com.
Did Hillary Clinton pass the bar?
Yes, Hillary Clinton passed the Arkansas bar exam and became a lawyer, but she famously failed the District of Columbia bar exam on her first attempt, though she passed it later, allowing her to practice law in D.C. and build a successful career.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?
1. California
For starters, the cut score (the score needed to pass the test) of the California bar is 1390 out of 2000, which is 40 points above the national average. The California bar exam is given twice a year over two days and is made up of the following components: Five essay questions (60 minutes each)
Can an Indian get into Harvard law?
A student's immigration status does not impact admission decisions or financial aid eligibility at Harvard Law School. Our application components and standards for admission remain consistent for all applicants, regardless of their citizenship status.
Which state bar is the easiest?
What is the easiest bar exam to pass? Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers.
Can I call myself a lawyer without passing the bar?
Holding yourself out as an attorney before you are licensed falls under the category of “unauthorized practice of law”1 and is typically considered grounds for a character and fitness inquiry.
What is the average salary after passing the CA bar?
Average The State Bar of California Attorney yearly pay in California is approximately $192,768, which is 80% above the national average. Salary estimated from 69 past and present job postings on Indeed.
Did Michelle Obama take the bar?
After graduating from Harvard Law School, Michelle Obama failed the bar exam the first time she sat for it. Mrs. Obama went on to practice intellectual property law for Sidley & Austin before becoming First Lady!
Did JFK Jr pass the bar?
Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1989. He then failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third try in July 1990. After failing the exam for a second time, Kennedy vowed that he would continue to take it until he was 95 years old or passed.
How many times did Kim Kardashian take the bar exam?
Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once, in July 2025, and did not pass, but she did pass the "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in late 2021 after failing it three times previously, allowing her to proceed to the main exam. She has plans to retake the main bar exam, with opportunities in February 2026 and beyond, as California law allows multiple attempts.
Did Barack Obama get a law degree?
Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with a Juris Doctor magna cum laude. In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School to work on his first book.
What is Joe Biden's stage 4 diagnosis?
Metastatic cancer, which Biden has, means that it has spread from where it started to another part of the body – in his case, from the prostate to the bone. It's also known as Stage 4 cancer. Somebody Biden's age wouldn't normally be screened for prostate cancer.
What degrees does Donald Trump have?
Though Trump personally opposed the war, he did not participate in protests. Trump graduated from the Wharton School in May 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in economics.
Who's richer, Oprah or Taylor?
No, Oprah Winfrey is richer than Taylor Swift, with Forbes reporting Oprah's net worth at around $3 billion compared to Taylor's $1.6 billion as of mid-2025, making Oprah the richest woman in entertainment and the first Black woman billionaire, while Swift is the world's richest female musician.
Who is the richest female singer ever?
Based on Forbes, American singer Taylor Swift is the wealthiest female musician, with a net worth of US$1.6 billion as of 2024. Barbadian singer Rihanna became the first female musician to attain a billionaire status in 2021, with a net worth of $1.7 billion at that time.
Is Kendall a billionaire or a millionaire?
Kendall Jenner is a millionaire, with her net worth estimated around $60 million as of late 2025/early 2026, making her the world's highest-paid model but not a billionaire like her sisters Kim and Kylie. Her wealth comes from lucrative modeling contracts, reality TV, and her 818 Tequila brand, while Kim and Kylie have reached billionaire status through their businesses.