When I was taking the PA bar exam I met a woman at the hotel bar the night before the exam. She had taken and failed the exam 6+ times before. She went to law school much later in life. She couldn't afford any prep courses so she was studying on her own. 1/

Studying on your own without any prep materials is brutally difficult. So for her, failing the bar exam didn't mean she wouldn't make a good lawyer. It just meant she didn't have physical resources.

Meanwhile my law firm paid for my prep course. Lots of firms do that. /2

I had (and still do!) a wife and three kids. So I had to borrow money to make it through the summer before my first pay check. But I could easily borrow the money because I had a good income waiting for me, so getting a loan was easy. Others have to work while they study. /3

So I had multiple advantages like many others. Yes, I started law school on food stamps. But I got lucky. I got a great job near my daughter's hospital that allowed me to move up in the world. And it was luck.

I didn't work harder & I'm not smarter. I'm just lucky /4

The woman I met wasn't lucky. I have no idea if she would be a good lawyer. But what I do know is the fact that she failed the bar exam multiple times says NOTHING about her ability to practice.

It's been years and I still think about her. I hope she passed.

/5

So what's my point? My point is that the bar exam is rubbish and is keeping good people away for no reason. It doesn't serve its stated purpose.

Joining this profession shouldn't be based on privilege or luck.

Allow me to divert for a moment to point out another privilege. /6

I took and passed the bar in two states. Since I've never failed, I'm immune from accusations that I'm only saying this b/c I'm bitter or self-interested. I have privilege.

So let me say this: When people who failed or who are taking it say it, they're still right. /7

Ad hominem is a logical fallacy, so if you find yourself accusing a person of being bitter or for saying something out of self-interest not only are you a shitty person, but you're also a shitty debater.

Anyway, to the bar takers: sorry you're dealing with this.

/fin