Kim Kardashian, the entrepreneur and media personality known for her successful business ventures and activism in criminal justice reform, has officially completed a major milestone in her legal journey. As of May 2024, Kardashian has finished California’s Law Office Study Program (LOSP), a non-traditional path toward becoming a licensed attorney in the state.
This achievement follows six years of rigorous legal apprenticeship, thousands of hours of study, and the successful completion of key qualifying exams, bringing her one step closer to sitting for the California Bar Exam.
What Is the Law Office Study Program?
California is one of the few U.S. states that allows aspiring lawyers to study law through an apprenticeship under a practicing attorney instead of attending a traditional law school. According to the State Bar of California, participants in the Law Office Study Program must:
- Complete at least 18 hours per week of legal study under a qualified attorney or judge.
- Complete a minimum of four years of study.
- Pass the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (FYLSE), commonly referred to as the “baby bar.”
- Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
- Ultimately, pass the California Bar Examination to be licensed to practice law.
Kardashian began the program in 2018 under the supervision of attorneys in San Francisco, as confirmed in her interviews with Vogue and The Guardian. She has been vocal about her commitment to criminal justice reform and her long-term goal of becoming a practicing attorney.
Overcoming Setbacks and Persevering
In a post shared on her verified social media platforms, Kardashian announced that she had completed her legal studies, thanking her mentors and expressing pride in the journey. She had earlier documented the challenges she faced, including multiple failed attempts at passing the “baby bar” before eventually succeeding in December 2021.
In a 2021 Instagram post, she confirmed that she passed the FYLSE after three attempts. She then passed the MPRE — an ethics exam required for bar eligibility — in March 2025, according to official reports.
The MPRE, administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, assesses a candidate’s understanding of professional conduct required of attorneys in the U.S. Passing this exam is a key requirement before one can sit for the state bar exam.
A Celebration with Family and Mentors
To commemorate her accomplishment, Kardashian’s family hosted a graduation celebration on May 21, 2024, in Beverly Hills. Photos shared online showed Kardashian with her children, legal mentors, and close family members at the event. The party reportedly included personalized decorations inspired by her study materials, including custom placemats printed with law flashcards.
The celebration was a culmination of six years of balancing motherhood, business ventures, and public service, alongside a demanding legal education schedule.
From Reality Television to Criminal Justice Reform
While Kardashian rose to global fame through television and fashion, her pivot to legal advocacy has earned her recognition from multiple sectors. She has worked closely with legal experts and advocacy groups to support clemency and pardon efforts for incarcerated individuals, particularly those facing disproportionate sentences.
One of her earliest efforts included support for Alice Marie Johnson, a woman serving a life sentence for a non-violent drug offense. After Kardashian’s advocacy, Johnson was granted clemency by then-President Donald Trump in 2018, drawing national attention to criminal justice reform.
Her late father, Robert Kardashian, was a prominent attorney who gained national attention as a member of the legal team that defended O.J. Simpson in the 1995 criminal trial. Kim has said in various interviews that her father’s legacy inspired her legal ambitions.
Mixed Reactions and Professional Support
Though Kardashian’s journey has drawn significant public interest, legal professionals have weighed in with perspectives about her dedication to the field. Shaheen Manshoory, a Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney, told The Independent that Kardashian’s six-year effort through LOSP reflects a genuine commitment to legal study, even if it took longer than the standard four years.
While some critics online have questioned her non-traditional path, legal experts and advocacy organizations have generally praised Kardashian’s work, especially given her hands-on involvement in clemency petitions and law reform initiatives.
Next Step: The California Bar Exam
With her coursework and prerequisite exams completed, Kim Kardashian is now eligible to sit for the California Bar Exam, one of the most difficult state bar exams in the United States. According to the State Bar of California, the exam spans two days and includes essay questions, performance tests, and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), testing a wide range of legal subjects.
Passage of the bar exam will qualify her to be a licensed attorney in the state of California, officially enabling her to practice law and represent clients in court.
Kardashian has not yet announced the date she plans to take the exam, but she has publicly stated that she remains committed to passing it and launching a career in law focused on criminal justice and prison reform.
A Future in Law?
With her legal education now complete and bar eligibility secured, Kim Kardashian continues to redefine her public identity, moving beyond entertainment into public service. Her efforts have already helped shine a spotlight on key issues in the U.S. legal system, including prison reform, clemency, and access to fair representation.
As of 2024, she is one of the most prominent public figures to pursue law through an apprenticeship model. Her story has drawn attention to alternative legal education pathways and inspired conversations about the accessibility of legal careers beyond traditional law schools.
Conclusion
Kim Kardashian’s journey through California’s Law Office Study Program represents a substantial and verified educational achievement. Backed by over 5,000 hours of study, successful exam completions, and consistent legal advocacy, she is closer than ever to reaching her goal of becoming a licensed attorney.
Though she faced challenges, setbacks, and public scrutiny, Kardashian’s perseverance has placed her in a unique position to influence legal reform from within the system. Whether or not she passes the California Bar Exam on her first attempt, her dedication to the legal profession and criminal justice reform remains evident — and her progress, fully documented and verified.
Sources:
- State Bar of California – Law Office Study Program
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- Reuters
- The Independent
- Vogue