Sophia Park, a 17-year-old from California, has become the youngest person to pass the state’s bar exam, surpassing her older brother Peter’s record.
Peter Park, who was 17 years and 11 months old when he passed the California bar exam in November 2023, previously held the record for the youngest person to achieve this milestone. His sister, Sophia Park, will join him at the Tulare County District Attorney’s office after passing the bar.
When asked about the bar exam, Sophia Park said, “I don’t think it was extremely difficult, but I do think there was difficulty in how much you had to put into your brain in a limited period of time.”
Sophia Park started law school at the age of 13 in 2020 while still in junior high school. She accomplished this remarkable achievement by taking advanced online courses from home, which allowed her to graduate from high school, college, and law school in just around four years, earning her degree from the Northwestern California University School of Law in 2024.
At 16, Park interned at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and later worked as a law clerk at the Tulare County District Attorney’s office. After she turns 18 and is sworn in as a licensed attorney in March 2025, she will begin her role as a prosecutor.
“I wanted to work for the prosecution,” Park told the Sun-Gazette, “because I like the idea that I get to represent the people of the state of California, keep our community safe and make sure that justice is served.”
Park’s record might soon be eclipsed by her 14-year-old sister, who is already in her second year of law school. Also, her 8-year-old brother is also aspiring to become a lawyer.
Leah Wilson, the Executive Director of the State Bar of California, praised Sophia Park’s achievement of passing the bar at 17, calling it “a remarkable accomplishment.”
“Passing the state bar exam at any age is a tremendous accomplishment, and to do so at 17 is truly exceptional,” Wilson added.
