Above the Law - Thinking Like a Lawyer This Is Why We Have Bar Exams
Dec 10, 2025
The ongoing chaos at the DOJ takes center stage, revealing a troubling atmosphere amidst blunders. Kim Kardashian aims to enter the legal world without formal education, sparking a debate about the necessity of bar exams. Hosts weigh the merits of alternative paths to licensure while discussing potential reforms for competency tests. Meanwhile, Deputy AG Todd Blanche's warning to attorneys about public statements raises concerns about stifling lawful discourse. The show also touches on ethical troubles facing Lindsey Halligan and the Virginia State Bar's inadequate responses.
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Kardashian's Bar Attempts And Motive
- Kim Kardashian pursued an apprenticeship route in California and passed the baby bar but failed the full bar.
- Joe Patrice suggests her money would better fund public-interest lawyers than seeking the Esquire title.
Design Tests Veterans Would Pass
- The bar exam in its current form is a poor fit for apprenticeship entrants and public credibility.
- A veteran-proof practical test (Utah model) would signal minimum competence without trapping experienced litigators.
Licensing Can Help Or Harm
- Licensing regimes can protect the public but also become self-serving and exclusionary.
- Thoughtful reform must balance access, accreditation quality, and consumer protection.