Kim Kardashian nears lawyer status after passing baby bar exam: 'This wasn't easy or handed to me'
Kim Kardashian is that much closer to becoming a lawyer.
The reality star, 41, passed California's First-Year Law Students' Exam, known as the "baby bar," she announced Monday on social media. The daughter of the late Robert Kardashian (known for his work as O.J. Simpson's defense attorney) has been vocal in the past few years about wanting to honor her father and be able to further champion criminal justice issues.
"Looking in the mirror, I am really proud of the woman looking back today in the reflection," Kardashian captioned a series of Instagram photos of herself looking in the mirror. "For anyone who doesn’t know my law school journey, know this wasn’t easy or handed to me."
She added: "I know my dad would be so proud and he would actually be so shocked to know that this is my path now but he would have been my best study partner. I am told he was notorious for making fun of people who didn’t pass on their first attempt like he did, but he would have been my biggest cheerleader!"
'I'm not doing it for publicity': Kim Kardashian West explains her 'Justice Project,' law school
Kardashian said she failed the exam three times in two years – including once earlier this year after testing positive for COVID and running a 104 degree fever – though she's "not making excuses."
"I got back up each time and studied harder and tried again until I did it," she added, highlighting the "10-hour days, daily four-hour Zooms" and practice tests "week after week" with professors at BarBri, a bar preparation and legal exam company.
Kardashian is studying law without attending a traditional, state-accredited law school, which means she had to pass the baby bar, which is the equivalent of completing one year of law school, per the State Bar of California. She'll continue to study before going on to take the California Bar Exam, which, if she passes, would make her an official lawyer.
"I was told by top lawyers that this was a close to impossible journey and harder than the traditional law school route but it was my only option and it feels so so sooooo good to be here and on my way to achieving my goals," she said, expressing gratitude to those who helped her along the way, including CNN host Van Jones.
"Bottom line is don’t ever give up even when you are holding on by a thread, you can do it!!!!! Set your mind to it and get it done because it feels soooooo good once you get to the other side!"
Two years ago, Kardashian shared intentions of becoming a lawyer. Since then, she has lobbied for criminal justice reform, highlighting specific cases she and other advocates feel were wrongful convictions. She visited the White House last year to meet with then-President Donald Trump along with three women whose prison sentences he recently commuted. And in the series finale of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" earlier this year, the star said she hopes to one day start "a really successful (law) firm."
"It can be exhausting, frustrating, but I know that we can make a difference, and so all the criticism in the world will not deter me from what I want to do," West told reporters at the Television Critics Association last year, promoting her Oxygen documentary, "Kim Kardashian West: The Justice Project."
"I’m very used to criticism so nothing really fazes me. I’m one of those not-human souls that can really deal with it. However I really genuinely just stay focused on cases and people and am extremely compassionate.
"No, I’m not doing it for publicity," she continued. "I really do and care and spend 20 hours a week away from my family and my kids (for this)."
West said becoming a mother inspired her to start working on criminal justice reform.
"I’m raising four Black children that could face a situation like any of the people that I help," she said. "Just to know I can make a difference in my children’s lives and (others) by helping fix a broken system, that’s so motivating for me."
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Contributing: Kelly Lawler
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kim Kardashian passes baby bar exam: Lawyer dreams getting closer
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