While many law grads around the country are breathing sighs of relief as they receive their bar results, some are in for a disappointment. In the grand scheme of things, how will not passing the bar affect them?
According to a new paper in the Journal of Legal Education, “during the first five to 10 years out of law school, those who don’t pass the bar lag far behind their peers who do in areas such as earnings, job stability and marriage and divorce rates,” New York Lawyer reports. They can eventually close the gap somewhat, but most never fully “catch up” with those who passed the bar.
While these results are striking, it is unclear how much they are directly related to failing the bar. Certain factors that can play a role in failing the bar, such as lack of ambition, can likely impact career and personal success as well.
Until now, little research has been done in this area, since those who fail the bar are less likely to complete law school alumni surveys and are difficult to track. The paper estimates that roughly one in 10 JDs have taken but never passed the bar exam.
Regarding salary, those who were under 30 and didn’t pass the bar earned less than both bar passers and general college grads, while those between the ages of 30 and 39 earned more than college grads but still less than lawyers.
With the push for transparency, this information should also be made available to those applying to law school, as not passing the bar can be a real, and very legitimate, concern.
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Read the full article: The Bar: What About Those Who Don’t Pass?
