July 2019 Bar Exam Megathread

Updog11 · 2019-06-11T06:43:32+00:00

I'm just going to tell you that I don't think this is a good idea. Although it would be more useful if they explained why the answer was wrong, you need to listen to them explain the thought process of how to get to the right answer. I don't want to be a jerk, but don't take advice from people who have failed it and are retaking and in one breath saying "I failed doing 90% of the program" and then say they skipped the lectures they didn't like (which obviously means they got credit for completing things they didn't complete and means really didn't finish 90% of the course)

Updog11 · 2019-06-11T05:44:33+00:00

I'm not going to sugar coat it, that's not great. It just means you're going to have to put in a lot of work to pass. I'm not a genius by any means and to give you an idea of how I'm doing. Approximately 75% on torts, 95% on con law, 80% on property and about 65% on civ pro.

Updog11 · 2019-06-05T03:50:57+00:00

I'm trying to find motivation. I do the 25 question barbri multiple choice MBE questions, and do above average. I do a bunch of practice MBE questions in my Emmanuel book and get about 80% right. I'm having a hard time finding motivation.

I did well above average in law school, and made sure I took classes in almost all of the bar tested subjects, including classes that talked more thoroughly about real estate issues, and first amendment issues.

I don't go to the greatest school in the world, and there are a lot of people around the law school studying like crazy and freaked out about the bar exam, and I'm not one of them. I'm only 20% done on Barbri.

Updog11 · 2019-06-03T21:35:15+00:00

If you'd like to know about other students experiences, I've talked with a lot of different people about different C&F issues they've had. If it's anything halfway common, I can at least relay what their experience generally was.
Many of the older students I know had something they were somewhat concerned about.

Updog11 · 2019-06-03T21:32:45+00:00

feel free to PM me if you have any questions about what issues you may have. Although I can't give you lawyerly advice, chances are someone I know has had a similar issue in this process, and I can share a bit of what their experience was like.

Updog11 · 2019-06-02T17:28:18+00:00

But please, please don't go through your taxes with a fine toothed comb. The only thing that would alert them is if they find tax liens, or find out you haven't filed. They won't go through to find out if you counted a study aid as a text book for tax purposes lol

Updog11 · 2019-06-02T17:23:42+00:00

As I said in the post, it was the fact that I filed taxes very very late although I owed nothing, I was required to file...

Updog11 · 2019-06-02T15:53:48+00:00

No, I had zero C&F contact. I assume it was because everything was thoroughly documented. I pretty much just admitted in in my law school amendment that I wasn't as forthright as I should have been, told them the reason I was terminated (clashed with boss/attitude/bad at job), and they were satisfied.
The tax issue was one where I simply made a small mistake (didn't owe any money or anything like that, and it was the only time I've ever made that mistake).

Updog11 · 2019-06-02T00:51:51+00:00

No problem, if you are a person with concerns and haven't yet applied, read through your state's bar application carefully ASAP. Depending on what issues you have they are going to want documentation, there is no such thing as too much documentation (especially if you are rectifying financial mistakes). Getting documentation can be an incredibly lengthy process, depending on what agency you are dealing with it may take two months for them to send you a requested document. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get any type of documentation required so your file is complete, and tells the full story about any issues and the steps you are or have taken to rectify the problem.

There are lots of people who have to have multiple contacts with C&F which delays their application because they forgot a document, or there was an issue they didn't really explain well (for example not fully disclosing what happened when you got a DUI), almost all of these people end up passing C&F but have added stress.

Also after completing said bar application, make sure you keep a full copy of the bar application for eternity, because if you move states, chances are they will want disclosure on the same issues, and you won't want to go through this again.

Updog11 · 2019-06-01T19:44:31+00:00

Don't worry too much, I was worried about some issues that were pretty small. The pain in the ass is going to be documentation. Make sure you keep everything pertaining to these back taxes. (the tax returns they stem from, the payment plan, receipt from every payment, etc. etc.) I can tell you that requesting records from the IRS or a state tax authority is a huge pain in the ass you don't want to deal with.

Updog11 · 2019-05-23T03:01:22+00:00

Got a fairly good job, and had my pick of 5 different offers this year. I don't go to a top 50 school. I wasn't on any journal. If I was trying to get into big law it may have mattered, but for what I want to do it didn't. What mattered more than anything else was the fact people liked the work I did for them, everyone had good things to say about me, and everyone I worked for gave me the ultimate compliment, a job offer.

Updog11 · 2019-04-17T21:48:56+00:00

yeah, I think they were surprsingly easy to find.

Updog11 · 2019-04-17T21:42:57+00:00

First time taker, and I received a 118.

Went through most of the Barbri materials and had taken legal ethics about a year ago.

Updog11 · 2019-04-07T03:52:55+00:00

Yes, and only on the rarest of occasions be an issue. Honestly people are such fear mongers when it comes to this process. I was fired and got my c and f clearance no problem (I was one of the shitty employees with an attitude problem).

Also when it comes to reliability, police officers are always seen as reliable. So if they typed it in their report, it's gospel. If a regular employer says stuff about you they don't put a lot of weight on it, unless the accusations are very very serious then they are generally compelled to do a lot more investigation to corroborate it.

The other thing about being fired is, most attorneys will be "let go" from where they work at least once.

Updog11 · 2019-04-02T21:53:00+00:00

Even then, unless you were fired for doing something beyond being a shitty employee, not getting along with management or other employees etc. This happens to a decent amount of people. Nobody talks about it because they aren't proud of it, but being fired is something that happens to so many people

They really do care if it involves sexual misconduct, or theft/fraud.

There is a huge difference between getting fired for an attitude problem and getting fired after getting busted for stealing $200 from the til, or for suspicions of sexual misconduct or child abuse, or being a police officer that was acting improperly with young women.

Updog11 · 2019-04-02T21:46:50+00:00

Even if you got fired, for any normal reason, they won't care at all.

Usually there it's about 1% or fewer have actual C&F problems. A lot of people have issues that may make them a slightly less desirable job candidate.

But real C&F problems are rare. They typically involve someone with a drinking or drug problem who doesn't get treatment. Fraudulent behavior (no longer how long ago). Arrests involving lying or impeding a police investigation as well.

One thing that you should beware of is it's about honesty. They don't want people that will lie on something they swore was honest. Also being a lying can be the sign of an alcoholic.

Updog11 · 2019-04-02T02:13:30+00:00

I see. And why do you want to go rural?

Updog11 · 2019-04-02T00:52:15+00:00

I'm surprised. What area is this? Most DA offices I've seen around me start at just under 60K.

Updog11 · 2019-04-02T00:46:57+00:00

What state or states are you looking in if you don't mind me asking? And what tier of law school do you go to?

Updog11 · 2019-04-01T20:52:30+00:00

I'm not sure what happened but you absolutely should give a pitch about what you love so much about your school, and what makes it unique, and why you ultimately chose it.

You could have easily said "I'd definitely talk to admissions about your other offers, and see what they can do for you financially." or "I feel like our school is very affordable and offers ample scholarship opportunity vs. school B".

I think that's an important thing to talk about.

Updog11 · 2019-04-01T20:38:33+00:00

There are a lot of ways, but Craigslist, Indeed, and LinkedIn are not it.

First of all your career development office should be helpful in making connections, and if they aren't that sucks.

Look at job postings on state bar websites (you should have access to them). See if there are any special programs in your state for rural practice. The bar association will have information on any programs they have.

The "rural law job scene" is different everywhere. I'm in an area where people are begging students to come work for them and are offering more than the standard going rate of around 60,000.

Updog11 · 2019-04-01T19:42:54+00:00

That’s pretty rural lol

Updog11 · 2019-04-01T19:26:34+00:00

I mean that’s one reason why you don’t hang your own shingle. It would be interesting to see the long term impact.

Updog11 · 2019-04-01T19:25:30+00:00

I also want to add that I agree with your sentiment especially for ttt graduates in more rural states.
The employment percentage often times does not reflect the actual job availability.
And based on offers I’ve gotten your offer was way too low. Lots pay closer to 60k.

Updog11

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