Who is the youngest 17 year old girl to pass the California bar exam?

Asked by: Gerson Bogan  |  Last update: March 20, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (59 votes)

The youngest person to pass the California bar exam is Sophia Park, who was 17 years and 8 months old when she passed in late 2024, breaking the record previously held by her older brother, Peter Park. Both siblings started law school at 13, completed high school early, and now work as prosecutors in the Tulare County District Attorney's office.

Who is the youngest 17 year old lawyer in California?

at 17, she's officially California's youngest lawyer, breaking the record once held by her own brother. Sophia Park passed the California Bar, just months younger than her brother Peter, who set the same record in 2024. Two siblings, both prodigies, rewriting what's possible at their age.

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.
 

How did a 17 year old become a lawyer?

ROB SCHMITZ, HOST: So what were you doing when you were 17 years and eight months old? Well, Sophia Park was taking the California State Bar exam and breaking a record for the youngest person ever to pass the exam in the state. SOPHIA PARK: Well, we were both 13 years old when we started law school.

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.
 

'I don't think it was extremely difficult': 17-year-old girl youngest to pass California Bar Exam

32 related questions found

Who is Sophia Park's father?

Sophia's father, Byungjoo Park, shared that his daughter has always aspired to become an attorney. Both Sophia and Peter currently work at the Tulare County District Attorney's Office. Sophia's journey to the bar began at just 13, when she enrolled in law school.

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 was Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score. 

Did JFK Jr. ever pass the bar exam?

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.

Can a minor sit at a bar in CA?

In California, minors generally cannot sit at the bar area of a public premises (like a bar or nightclub) where alcohol is sold, as it's a misdemeanor for them to be there without lawful business and for the licensee to allow it, but they can enter and stay in restaurants or venues that serve food even if they have a bar, as long as they don't sit at the bar itself and remain in dining areas. The establishment's license type (public premises vs. restaurant) and discretion play a big role, with some places prohibiting minors in bar sections entirely due to strict rules and potential penalties. 

Has anyone passed the bar without going to college?

The answer to this question is yes – in some cases, and in some states, this can be accomplished. In fact, there have been some famous lawyers throughout history who did not attend law school. We will now delve into the process of becoming a lawyer through “reading the law” rather than going to law school.

Who is the youngest CPA ever?

James 'Jimmy' Chilimigras is 15 years old, a Loyola Law student, and the youngest person to pass the Certified Public Accounting exam in the world. After scoring 31 on the ACT at the age of 12, he said he had too big of a passion not to continue his studies.

Who is the youngest person to go to Harvard Law School?

When he earned his Juris Doctor in 2004 at age 19, Camara became the youngest graduate of Harvard Law School.

Can a 13 year old have a lawyer?

Who Decides a Child Will Have a Lawyer. Judges can appoint a lawyer if they think this is necessary to protect the child's interests. Judges can do this on the request of one of the parents or on their own. Children can decide on their own that they need a lawyer.

What is the minimum age for becoming a lawyer?

Eligibility criteria to become a lawyer

Minimum marks: Generally, a minimum of 45–50% marks in qualifying exams is required. Some universities may have higher cut-offs. Age limit: No upper age limit as per the latest Bar Council guidelines, though individual colleges may specify otherwise.

Did Kim Kardashian write the LSAT?

No, Kim Kardashian did not take the LSAT; she pursued the "reading the law" apprenticeship path in California, which bypasses law school and the LSAT, focusing instead on the baby bar exam (FYLSE) and the main California Bar Exam, which she has taken multiple times without passing yet. Her journey involves hands-on legal study under attorneys, requiring passage of the FYLSE after the first year to continue, and then the main bar exam to become a licensed attorney.
 

Does Michelle Obama have a law degree from Harvard?

Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Born in Chicago and raised on the South Side of the city, Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. In her early legal career, she worked at the law firm Sidley Austin where she met her future husband.

What is the #1 ranked law school in the world?

There isn't one single "number one," as rankings vary, but Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University consistently appear at the very top globally, often trading #1 spots depending on the ranking system, with Harvard often leading in overall QS rankings and Yale/Stanford in U.S. News & World Report's domestic rankings for U.S. schools. Other top contenders include Oxford, Cambridge, Chicago, and NYU.
 

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.
 

How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?

Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady. 

How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?

She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.

How many times can you take the CA bar?

How many times can you take the California Bar Exam? There is no limit to the number of times you can take the California bar exam other than the fact that there are only two administrations per year, one in February and one in July. Test takers may take the California bar exam as many times as they choose.

Who is the youngest lawyer in California history?

Sophia Park, just 17 years old, has officially passed the California bar exam — becoming the youngest lawyer in state history and beating the previous record held by her older brother. The two now work together at the Tulare County District Attorney's Office, with their 14- year-old sister already in law school too.

How did Sophia Park become a lawyer?

Sophia Park just made history after passing the California bar exam at only 17 years and 8 months old. According to reports, she began law school at 13 while still finishing junior high, pushed through early high school completion, and wrapped up her law studies before turning 18.