17-Year-Old Sophia Park Becomes Youngest to Pass California Bar Exam

Sophia Park, a 17-year-old from California, has made history by becoming the youngest person to pass the California State Bar Exam. She surpassed the record previously held by her older brother, Peter Park, who was 17 years and 11 months old when he passed the exam in November 2023. Sophia Park was 17 years and 8 months old when she took and passed the exam in July 2024, with the results announced on November 8, 2024.

Park’s achievement is particularly remarkable given the rigorous standards of the California State Bar Exam, where only about 54% of the over 8,000 candidates who attempted the exam in July passed.

Sophia Park accelerated her education significantly, starting law school at the age of 13 in 2020 while still attending junior high school at Oxford Academy in Cypress, California. She completed high school by passing the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) in 2022 and earned her law degree from Northwestern California University School of Law in 2024. Park utilized a provision in California law that allows students to enter law school by passing College-Level Proficiency Exams (CLEP), bypassing traditional undergraduate requirements.

Prior to passing the bar exam, Park gained practical experience through a summer internship at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office at the age of 16 and has been working as a law clerk for the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office since 2024. She plans to start her role as a prosecutor at the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office in March 2025, after she turns 18 and is sworn in as a licensed attorney.

“As a prosecutor, I will work to see justice served and ensure that victims’ voices are heard,” Park stated, reflecting her commitment to her future role.

Leah Wilson, the Executive Director of the State Bar of California, praised Park’s achievement, calling it “a remarkable accomplishment” and noting that passing the state bar exam at any age is a tremendous feat.

Park’s family is also notable for their academic and legal achievements; her 14-year-old sister is already in her second year of law school, and her 8-year-old brother is aspiring to become a lawyer as well.