17-Year-Old Sophia Park Becomes Youngest To Pass California Bar Exam

Sophia Park, a 17-year-old from California, has made headlines by becoming the youngest person to pass the notoriously challenging California State Bar Exam. Her achievement breaks the record set by her older brother, Peter Park, by three months.

Setting the Record at 17

Sophia passed the bar exam on November 8, 2024, at the age of 17 years and 8 months. Over 8,000 candidates attempted the exam in July, with only 54% clearing it. Her accomplishment has not only inspired many but also showcased her determination and discipline.

A Journey of Academic Excellence

Sophia’s accelerated academic journey is nothing short of remarkable:

• High School: Completed in 2022 at Oxford Academy after clearing the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).
• Law School: Began at just 13 years old in 2020, completing her degree from Northwestern California University School of Law in 2024.
• California Law Provision: Leveraged a state law allowing students to enter law school by passing College-Level Proficiency Exams (CLEP).

Practical Experience at a Young Age

Sophia gained early legal experience:

• Internship: Worked with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office at 16.
• Law Clerk: Joined the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office in 2024.

Her employer, Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward, praised her achievements, saying, “We could not be prouder as an office family.”

Looking Ahead

Sophia will officially start practising law in March 2025 when she turns 18 and is sworn in. She plans to join the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor. “As a prosecutor, I will work to see justice served and ensure that victims’ voices are heard,” she shared.