Less than two months before my wife and I took the Bar exam we (or mainly she) gave birth to our first child. We were working. We both failed the Texas Bar exam the first time. Surprisingly, we both failed different parts. She failed the Multistate and I failed the Texas specific questions of the last day. In any event, let me assure you of a couple of things. The devastation is from your perspective. It does not matter to others and nobody ever much asks. Also, we passed it the next time and you will too. Sometimes going through it once gives you a better perspective.

The frustrating part is that it just slows you down for six months. In the long run I participate with the Bar, give papers and conduct CLE in my field of expertise, and when it failing the bar comes up it usually because I chose to joke about it all of these years later during some seminar presentation.

I did had it come up once in my life soon after I was licensed. I remember getting ready to try a case in front of a jury in New Boston, Texas. A big Dallas law firm was on the other side. I overhead the other side in the lawyer’s lounge speculating on their chances. I remember they said, “This lawyer does not have a chance. We have two ivy league law degrees on our side and this guy failed the bar exam”. I remember being so upset I could hardly catch my breath. I went into the restroom and talked to myself in the mirror for a good long time. I essentially told myself to get myself together because I have a family to feed. I went into that courtroom looking good, feeling good and smelling good. And, I took those two ivy league bastards down, along with their client. I did it because in East Texas people do not care about ivy league law degrees, and they do not care it took you more than once to pass the bar. They care that you care and that you can help them.

So, my advice to you is not to fret about it, and avoid thinking of yourself less for it. Just knuckle down for a few months and get it done.

Last February that little girl that nursed on her mother while we tried to study for the bar exam every night took the Texas bar and passed it with flying colors. I told her that it was not a fair comparison because she had been studying for the bar exam with her mother and I from the day she was born. The best to you. And, that is the truth.

These lawyers never open a book again. And, you can always guess who they are. They are the ones who sign in for CLE courses and then take off to the nearest Starbucks or read the newspaper during the presentation.

The good lawyers know that the practice of law is an ongoing process.

I am truly am sorry that you did not pass your first time out of the gate. I, too, had a death in my family before I took the bar exam and whether I realized it or not, it truly took the stuff out of me.

As for the real skinny, you did not pass on your first try. BFD.

I have a friend who took the California bar four times before she finally passed. Soon after getting her results on her successful try, she was asked in a job interview how many times she sat for the bar. She told the truth and the response was, “that’s great! You really wanted to be a lawyer.”.

You’ll do it, and it won’t take four times!

That totally sucks but you are right, its not the end of the world. You will pass on the next go around, I’m sure of it!

I took the bar while clerking for a judge full time (I spent the summer after law school in Thailand instead of taking the bar cause I desperately needed a break). Everyone told me that you can’t pass the bar if you have any other commitments. That is bogus. I developed a strategy of studying from 5-7:30am every weekday morning, studying during the lunch hour at work, then I studied from 5pm to 9 or 10pm every night. I took Friday nights off to spend with my husband, then studied for 10-12 hours Saturdays and Sundays. Like Debra said, I also visualized passing. By the time I entered the exam hall, I just knew I was going to pass. I felt like it was already mine for the taking.

A solid strategy of sleep, eat, work, study with occasional breaks and positive thinking will result in your passing in February. I’m sure of it.

And I agree with Susan, kudos to you for putting yourself out there during this vulnerable time. I know so many have benefited from your willingness to share.