California teen makes history as youngest to pass state bar exam, breaking her brother's record
Sophia Park, 17, became the youngest person to pass the grueling California bar exam, the Tulare County District Attorneys Office announced. (Tulare County District Attorneys Office)
VISALIA, Calif. - A California teen has made history by becoming the youngest person to pass the challenging state bar exam, breaking the previous record that happened to be set by her brother, according to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office.
On Nov. 8, at age 17 years and 8 months, Sophia Park received notification that she had passed the bar, which she took in July.
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The teen from Orange County is currently a law clerk with the Tulare County District Attorney's Office, where her brother Peter also works. The office said that after her brother made history last year as the youngest to pass the state bar, his sister Sophia has now broken his record. The office lightheartedly called it a "sibling rivalry."
In an email statement, the State Bar of California told KTVU that as in her brother's case, its records cannot confirm whether Sophia Park is indeed the youngest person to pass the bar since its inception in 1927. Nevertheless, the state agency said, "it is once again an extraordinary and impressive achievement."
The exceptional accomplishment drew praise from the agency's director.
"The State Bar of California proudly congratulates Sophia Park on passing the California Bar Exam at just 17 years old," said State Bar Executive Director Leah Wilson. "This remarkable achievement follows her brother Peter Park’s similar success last year, further highlighting their extraordinary dedication and talent."
According to the DA's office, Sophia bumped her brother by only months for the record. Peter Park, was 17 years, 11 months when he accomplished the arduous feat, the office said.
Both siblings took advantage of a state bar rule that allows students to apply to law school through the completion of College Level Proficiency Exams (CLEPS).
Sophia Park was 13 when she enrolled in law school, while simultaneously attending junior high school at Oxford Academy in Cypress, in Orange County, the DA’s office said.
The teen graduated from Sacramento-based Northwestern California University School of Law, a fully accredited online law study program.
Last year, she gained hands-on experience working as an intern with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, officials said.
"Sophia is on track to be sworn in as a licensed attorney in March of 2025 upon turning 18, when she plans to join the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor like her brother," the office said.
The minimum age to practice law in California is 18.
Peter Park was sworn in as one of the state's youngest practicing attorneys about a year ago.
His sister looked ahead as she prepared to join her brother in the ranks as a deputy district attorney.
"As a prosecutor," Sophia Park said, "I will work to see justice served and ensure that victims’ voices are heard."
The siblings were born in Korea.
"Peter was 3 and Sophia was 2 when we arrived in the United States," their father ByungJoo Park shared with KTVU. The family lived in Japan where he worked for one year before coming to the States, he said.
The father said while Sophia is the younger of the two, she's the one who inspired her older brother.
Siblings Sophia and Peter Park as children. The brother and sister were both 17 when they passed the California bar exam.
"He decided to join the Tulare County District Attorney's office after being impressed by Sophia's performance as a certified law clerk conducting jury trials during her internship at the Los Angeles District Attorney's office," their dad explained.
He also said that his children's impressive feat might sound incredibly difficult but that it's within reach for many young students.
"The actual process wasn't as challenging as one might think. For context, there are accelerated law school programs that allow students to complete their degree in just two years," ByungJoo Park explained. "If some students can complete the journey in two years, perhaps anyone could give it a try over four years."
He said that his kids took a four-year path which included passing the First-Year Law Students' Examination, or "baby bar," a one-day test taken by students who don't have two years of college work.
Peter and Sophia are one of four children, and the Parks are on track to have a third young lawyer in their family.
The second daughter, Sarah, passed the baby bar in August and is currently in her second year of law school, the father said.
The DA's office said that Peter and Sophia are the first and only teen brother-sister duo in a district attorney's office it is aware of.
The young siblings' success is even more notable as the California bar has long been considered among the most difficult in the nation.
"Passing the State Bar exam at any age is a tremendous accomplishment," Wilson said, "and to do so at 17 is truly exceptional."
Sophia Park (middle) with brother Peter Park (left) and District Attorney Tim Ward. Sophia has become the youngest person to pass the California bar exam, the Tulare County District Attorney's Office said. She broke her brother's record who previousl (Tulare County District Attorney's Office)
This story was reported from Oakland, Calif.