Current status summary
Kim Kardashian attended law school but does not hold a J.D. or an active law license. She did not graduate from law school and has not passed the bar exam. This explains why she cannot practice law or call herself an attorney.
Her legal education path
In 2013, Kim Kardashian gained early admission to the University of Pennsylvania Law School through the school’s early decision program. Early decision is binding; students admitted under this policy must enroll if offered admission. She left Penn Law in 2014 and later transferred to the Los Angeles campus of Southwestern Law School. At Southwestern, she completed first-year law courses and sat for the California Bar Examination in July 2016 but did not pass.
- Timeline context: She began legal education in 2013, left Penn in 2014, attended Southwestern, and took the bar in 2016.
Key policy notes on non-graduation and bar outcomes
Leaving law school before earning a J.D. means no law degree is conferred. Failing the bar exam means no license to practice law in that jurisdiction. Some states allow readmission to the bar after multiple attempts, but a passing score is required for licensure.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Law school attendance | University of Pennsylvania Law School (early decision), Southwestern Law School Los Angeles | Public admissions records and enrollment data |
| Law degree awarded | No J.D. earned | Law school statements; no graduation listed |
| Bar exam attempt | California Bar Exam, July 2016; did not pass | State bar examination records |
| Law license status | No active U.S. law license | State bar disciplinary and registration databases |
What “reading law” means in practice
In a few U.S. jurisdictions, individuals can qualify to take the bar exam without attending law school by serving a legal apprenticeship and studying under a licensed attorney, commonly called “reading law.” Kim Kardashian’s situation differs: she attended law school but did not complete a degree program and did not pass the bar. Therefore, she has not met the standard criteria for licensure.
Notable moments and context
Kim Kardashian’s legal involvement became widely discussed in 2019 when she announced plans to study law and pledged to take the bar in 2020. Her work on criminal justice reform and conversations with attorneys about prison reform brought attention to her studies. However, none of these efforts culminated in a law degree or admission to the bar.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone without a law degree influence legal conversations? Yes. Public figures can participate in policy discussions, support reform initiatives, and use their platforms to highlight systemic issues without holding a J.D. or license.
Could she take the bar again? It is legally possible, but she would need to meet eligibility rules, which typically include completing a law degree or an alternative path such as a legal apprenticeship, plus paying fees and passing the exam.
Is there any jurisdiction where she is currently licensed? No publicly available state or federal records indicate a law license for Kim Kardashian.
Bottom line
Kim Kardashian attended law school at the University of Pennsylvania and Southwestern Law School, attempted the California Bar Exam in 2016 without passing, and does not hold a law degree or an active law license. Her legal education remained incomplete and she is not authorized to practice law.
Tags
tags: kim kardashian, law degree, bar exam, legal education, status clarification