Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today, I'm thankful the California State Bar gives us unlimited chances to pass the Bar Exam, even though I'm only going to need one more of those chances.

Now, for those of you who have heard me say this before, please hold your laughter; I'm going to pass the February 2010 CA Bar Exam. Okay, technically, I haven't said that before. I've said that I'm going to pass some other administration of the exam. But there's something about the way I'm feeling about it now that's different than before. Way different. In a good way.

And that's all I have to say about that, today.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Especially, again, to my family, which is spread far and wide. This has been a tough ride. If you'll just hang with me for a little longer, we'll have something to be truly thankful about by this time next year.

Brian
aka GP

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

GP,

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

I have been following your blog since 2008 and am confident that your determination will pay off in February 2010.

I passed the July 2009 bar exam. What helped me alot was practice, practice, practice! I did over 1500MBE questions (including the 200 Qs which came with Emanuel's bar-in-a-box, the best MBE prep course ever), more than 140 essays (including all essays in the BarBri Essay Book) and 15 PTs. I devoted very little time to studying and memorazing the black letter law. Doing the MBEs and practice essays helped me with the memorization.

Good luck to you and all other lawyers to be in 2010! As Winston Churchill put it, "never, never, never give in."

Anonymous said...

Yeah!
I think finally getting into second reread can be inpirational.

Go for it, getting a second reread among all those top tier schools demonstrates that you can pass.

So start writing...you know the law. Write 10 essays for each subject and even more for the pts. your MBE's are fine.

Take care, GP!

Elizabeth Hokama said...

Wishing you the best today!

Anonymous said...

I don't understand people telling you to take an administration off. When you are this close (in reread), you need to take the next exam. You need to repeat what you did in July, but shore up a single weakness (PT's).

99% of the people who pass had your essay and mbe scores, but 60/65 PT's. It would be silly to take a break with your scores.

If you had low mbe's, and 55/60 on all the writing, then you probably would need to reinvent your wheel. Taking an exam off might make sense for some in that case.

Just 2 average PT's (65's) would kick you way above 1440 with your current good mbe score and not so good essay scores.

As a past grader once said, 99% of passers score 1440-1445. Go get it!

Anonymous said...

If anyone is looking for a set of exam materials:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bks/1482437843.html

Brook Davis said...

Keep up the fight GP !

Find the "Ah Ha!" to the PTs. The BarBri PT Advantage course did it for me (after already taking Holtz and Flemings) but it clicked and not only were the July 09 PTs easy, I wanted to do another one as soon as I finished.

Its not about the facts or the law - its all about answering the PT exactly like they tell you to.

From one DL non ABA law student (now, lawyer pending admission to the bar) to another, keep swinging until you hit the home run my friend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Grand Poobah! You may have heard this already, or perhaps taken the course, but I really recommend L.E.C.C.. You pretty much practice the exam 2x/week. This was extremely helpful for me- especially with the PTs. You can take just the writing portion alone, which I think would be fine for you. I also think that they have evening classes for those taking the Feb. bar exam, Check it out! I'm rooting for you!!!!

Anonymous said...

Brook Davis: "Its not about the facts or the law - its all about answering the PT exactly like they tell you to."

I'm reading a typical task memo that says "Write a pursuasive memo arguing for our client. Address and refute arguments made in D's motion (Format: carefully crafted headings summarizing law/fact."

Everyone understands the tasks, tone, and follows the above directions. This will get you a 55/60. There is much more required than answering the PT exactly as they ask. Congrats on passing, but you may have received a high mbe score and 60 PT's with your approach. I guarantee you GP follows directions perfectly. That is the easiest part. It is alsmost an insult to say that all you have to do is follow directions. Best of luck.

Brook Davis said...

Anon - the July 09 PTs actually started the answers for you - all you had to do is write their beginning and then fill in the rest from the file-library pairings. They gave the carefully crafted headings in the instructions.

GP knows who I am that no insult was issued. All I said is that for me the light bulb went on (just like the bar review courses said it would) and after that its easy. After speakign with several bar takers and bar tutors the general consensus is in agreement with my assessment.

I suppose now that I have passed I'll never know if I am right or wrong - but I have at least earned the right to express my person opinion that the PTs were in fact easy.

Anonymous said...

Poobah,

I have been following your blog for a while now and I find it inspiring. I will take the bar one day, and if I fail it, will continue taking it until I pass.

I have met many attorneys who took it many times before passing; 6 for my ex-boss, 6 for a UCLA grad I met, and 4 for another friend). It's a tough exam; especially for older students who work full-time and have families.

You have a great attitude and I am sure you will pass it next time. Good luck.

Iggy

The Grand Poobah said...

Well, regardless, I hope to get to a level of proficiency in which the PTs seem easy. And I hope to do it before March. (;-)>

I have every confidence that I will get it done this time.

--------------------------------

Iggy: Thanks much. I appreciate the encouragement. Not everyone passes on their first attempt, although, when you've failed more than once it seems like everyone else passed a long long time ago.

The Grand Poobah said...

Well, regardless, I hope to get to a level of proficiency in which the PTs seem easy. And I hope to do it before March. (;-)>

I have every confidence that I will get it done this time.

--------------------------------

Iggy: Thanks much. I appreciate the encouragement. Not everyone passes on their first attempt, although, when you've failed more than once it seems like everyone else passed a long long time ago.

Anonymous said...

Brian,

I appreciate you meeting me for lunch today. It was my real pleasure to finally meet you face to face. i hope that we can continue to help each other through these very challenging times.

Gabriel

The Grand Poobah said...

Hey Gabe,

Yes, lunch was great. I very much enjoyed meeting you in person after all this time. And I'm looking forward to our Victory Lunch in May!

Brian

Anonymous said...

DATE QUESTION SUBJECT
Feb-09 6 BUSINESS
Feb-08 6 BUSINESS
Feb-07 2 BUSINESS
Jul-06 4 BUSINESS
Jul-05 3 BUSINESS
Feb-05 3 BUSINESS
Jul-03 1 BUSINESS
Feb-02 3 BUSINESS
Feb-01 2 BUSINESS
Jul-99 6 BUSINESS
Feb-99 4 BUSINESS
Jul-98 5 BUSINESS
Jul-97 5 BUSINESS
Feb-97 2 BUSINESS
Feb-96 2 BUSINESS
Jul-95 5 BUSINESS
Feb-94 2 BUSINESS
Jul-93 3 BUSINESS
Jul-90 6 BUSINESS
Jul-09 5 CIVIL
Feb-09 2 CIVIL
Feb-06 4 CIVIL
Feb-04 6 CIVIL
Feb-03 1 CIVIL
Feb-02 1 CIVIL
Jul-01 1 CIVIL
Jul-00 5 CIVIL
Jul-99 2 CIVIL
Feb-99 6 CIVIL
Jul-98 2 CIVIL
Jul-97 4 CIVIL
Jul-96 4 CIVIL
Feb-96 3 CIVIL
Jul-95 6 CIVIL
Jul-94 5 CIVIL
Feb-94 6 CIVIL
Feb-93 1 CIVIL
Feb-92 5 CIVIL
Jul-90 2 CIVIL
Feb-08 5 COMMUNITY
Jul-07 6 COMMUNITY
Jul-05 1 COMMUNITY
Feb-04 2 COMMUNITY
Feb-03 6 COMMUNITY
Jul-02 6 COMMUNITY
Feb-01 1 COMMUNITY
Feb-00 1 COMMUNITY
Feb-99 3 COMMUNITY
Jul-98 1 COMMUNITY
Feb-97 6 COMMUNITY
Feb-96 6 COMMUNITY
Feb-95 3 COMMUNITY
Jul-94 1 COMMUNITY
Feb-93 4 COMMUNITY
Jul-92 1 COMMUNITY
Jul-91 1 COMMUNITY
Jul-90 3 COMMUNITY
Jul-09 4 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-08 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-08 3 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-07 4 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-07 5 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-06 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-05 1 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-04 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-04 5 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-03 5 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-02 5 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-01 4 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-00 4 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-98 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-97 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-96 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-95 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-94 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-94 5 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-92 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-92 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Jul-91 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-91 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-90 2 CONSTITUTIONAL
Feb-09 5 CONTRACTS
Jul-08 3 CONTRACTS
Jul-06 3 CONTRACTS
Feb-06 5 CONTRACTS
Jul-05 2 CONTRACTS
Feb-05 2 CONTRACTS
Jul-02 4 CONTRACTS
Feb-02 2 CONTRACTS
Feb-01 6 CONTRACTS
Feb-00 5 CONTRACTS
Jul-99 3 CONTRACTS
Feb-99 5 CONTRACTS
Feb-98 1 CONTRACTS
Feb-96 1 CONTRACTS
Feb-96 2 CONTRACTS
Jul-95 1 CONTRACTS
Feb-95 1 CONTRACTS
Feb-94 2 CONTRACTS
Feb-93 6 CONTRACTS
Feb-92 3 CONTRACTS
Jul-91 5 CONTRACTS
Feb-91 6 CONTRACTS
Feb-90 1 CONTRACTS
Jul-09 6 CRIMINAL
Feb-08 3 CRIMINAL
Feb-07 3 CRIMINAL
Feb-06 6 CRIMINAL
Jul-04 1 CRIMINAL
Feb-04 1 CRIMINAL
Feb-03 3 CRIMINAL
Feb-01 3 CRIMINAL
Feb-00 6 CRIMINAL
Jul-99 1 CRIMINAL
Feb-99 2 CRIMINAL
Jul-97 6 CRIMINAL
Jul-96 3 CRIMINAL
Feb-96 5 CRIMINAL
Feb-95 5 CRIMINAL
Jul-94 3 CRIMINAL
Jul-93 2 CRIMINAL
Feb-93 2 CRIMINAL
Jul-92 5 CRIMINAL
Jul-90 1 CRIMINAL
Feb-90 5 CRIMINAL
Jul-09 3 EVIDENCE
Feb-09 3 EVIDENCE
Jul-07 3 EVIDENCE
Feb-07 6 EVIDENCE
Jul-05 4 EVIDENCE
Jul-04 4 EVIDENCE
Jul-03 3 EVIDENCE
Feb-03 3 EVIDENCE
Feb-02 6 EVIDENCE
Jul-01 3 EVIDENCE
Jul-00 1 EVIDENCE
Jul-99 4 EVIDENCE
Jul-98 6 EVIDENCE
Feb-98 3 EVIDENCE
Jul-97 1 EVIDENCE
Jul-96 1 EVIDENCE
Feb-96 3 EVIDENCE
Feb-95 6 EVIDENCE
Jul-94 4 EVIDENCE
Jul-94 6 EVIDENCE
Feb-93 3 EVIDENCE
Jul-92 3 EVIDENCE
Feb-92 6 EVIDENCE
Jul-91 4 EVIDENCE
Jul-90 4 EVIDENCE

Anonymous said...

Jul-09 6 PROCEDURE
Feb-08 3 PROCEDURE
Jul-07 4 PROCEDURE
Feb-07 3 PROCEDURE
Feb-06 6 PROCEDURE
Feb-04 1 PROCEDURE
Feb-03 3 PROCEDURE
Feb-96 5 PROCEDURE
Jul-09 2 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-09 5 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-09 1 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-08 1 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-08 2 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-08 6 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-07 2 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-06 5 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-06 5 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-05 3 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-05 6 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-05 4 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-04 5 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-04 3 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-03 5 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-03 4 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-02 3 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-02 4 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-01 5 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-98 3 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-98 4 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-97 3 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-97 5 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-96 3 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-95 1 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-95 4 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-94 1 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-93 4 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-93 5 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-92 4 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-91 6 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-90 5 PROFESSIONAL
Feb-90 3 PROFESSIONAL
Jul-08 5 PROPERTY
Jul-07 1 PROPERTY
Feb-07 1 PROPERTY
Feb-06 3 PROPERTY
Jul-05 2 PROPERTY
Feb-05 5 PROPERTY
Feb-04 4 PROPERTY
Feb-03 2 PROPERTY
Jul-02 2 PROPERTY
Jul-01 2 PROPERTY
Jul-00 2 PROPERTY
Jul-99 5 PROPERTY
Feb-98 4 PROPERTY
Feb-97 4 PROPERTY
Jul-96 5 PROPERTY
Feb-95 2 PROPERTY
Feb-94 3 PROPERTY
Jul-93 5 PROPERTY
Feb-91 4 PROPERTY
Feb-90 6 PROPERTY
Jul-08 4 REMEDIES
Jul-07 5 REMEDIES
Jul-06 3 REMEDIES
Feb-06 5 REMEDIES
Jul-05 5 REMEDIES
Jul-03 2 REMEDIES
Feb-02 2 REMEDIES
Feb-01 4 REMEDIES
Feb-00 2 REMEDIES
Feb-98 5 REMEDIES
Feb-97 3 REMEDIES
Feb-96 2 REMEDIES
Jul-95 4 REMEDIES
Feb-95 1 REMEDIES
Feb-94 4 REMEDIES
Jul-92 6 REMEDIES
Jul-91 3 REMEDIES
Feb-91 3 REMEDIES
Feb-90 6 REMEDIES
Jul-09 1 TORTS
Feb-09 4 TORTS
Feb-08 1 TORTS
Jul-07 2 TORTS
Jul-06 1 TORTS
Feb-06 1 TORTS
Jul-04 6 TORTS
Jul-03 4 TORTS
Jul-02 5 TORTS
Jul-01 5 TORTS
Jul-00 6 TORTS
Feb-00 3 TORTS
Jul-98 4 TORTS
Feb-98 1 TORTS
Feb-97 1 TORTS
Feb-96 3 TORTS
Jul-95 3 TORTS
Feb-94 4 TORTS
Jul-93 1 TORTS
Feb-93 5 TORTS
Jul-92 2 TORTS
Feb-92 4 TORTS
Feb-91 5 TORTS
Feb-08 4 TRUSTS
Feb-05 6 TRUSTS
Jul-04 3 TRUSTS
Feb-02 4 TRUSTS
Jul-01 6 TRUSTS
Jul-00 3 TRUSTS
Feb-00 4 TRUSTS
Feb-99 1 TRUSTS
Feb-96 4 TRUSTS
Feb-95 6 TRUSTS
Jul-94 6 TRUSTS
Jul-92 4 TRUSTS
Feb-92 1 TRUSTS
Feb-90 4 TRUSTS
Jul-08 6 WILLS
Feb-08 4 WILLS
Feb-07 4 WILLS
Jul-06 6 WILLS
Feb-06 2 WILLS
Jul-04 3 WILLS
Jul-03 6 WILLS
Feb-03 2 WILLS
Jul-02 1 WILLS
Jul-01 6 WILLS
Jul-00 3 WILLS
Feb-00 4 WILLS
Feb-99 1 WILLS
Feb-98 6 WILLS
Jul-96 6 WILLS
Feb-95 6 WILLS
Jul-94 6 WILLS
Jul-93 6 WILLS
Jul-92 4 WILLS
Feb-91 1 WILLS

Anonymous said...

DATE PERFORMANCE TEST TASKS
Feb-05 B APPELANT'S OPENING BRIEFS
Jul-01 B APPELATE BRIEF
Feb-06 B APPELLATE MEDIATION BRIEFS
Feb-09 B COUNSELING MEMOS
Feb-02 A DECLARATIONS IN OPPOSITION
Jul-04 B MEMORANDA IN OPPOSITION TO MOTIONS
Jul-09 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-08 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-08 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-07 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-07 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-04 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-04 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-03 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-03 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-02 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-02 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-02 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-01 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-06 B OPINION LETTER
Jul-03 A OPINION LETTER
Feb-09 A PERSUASIVE BRIEF AND MEMORANDUM
Feb-08 A PERSUASIVE BRIEF AND MEMORANDUM
Feb-07 A PERSUASIVE BRIEF AND MEMORANDUM
Feb-06 A PERSUASIVE BRIEF AND MEMORANDUM
Jul-06 A PERSUASIVE BRIEFS
Jul-05 B PERSUASIVE BRIEFS
Jul-07 B PERSUASIVE LETTER
Jul-05 A PERSUASIVE LETTER
Feb-05 A PERSUASIVE LETTER
Feb-04 A PERSUASIVE LETTER
Feb-03 A PERSUASIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-01 A PERSUASIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-09 A POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
Jul-08 B POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
Feb-02 A POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
Feb-04 B PRE-COUNSELING LETTER

Anonymous said...

DATE PERFORMANCE TEST TASKS
Feb-05 B APPELANT'S OPENING BRIEFS
Jul-01 B APPELATE BRIEF
Feb-06 B APPELLATE MEDIATION BRIEFS
Feb-09 B COUNSELING MEMOS
Feb-02 A DECLARATIONS IN OPPOSITION
Jul-04 B MEMORANDA IN OPPOSITION TO MOTIONS
Jul-09 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-08 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-08 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-07 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-07 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-04 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-04 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-03 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-03 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-02 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-02 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Feb-02 B OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-01 A OBJECTIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-06 B OPINION LETTER
Jul-03 A OPINION LETTER
Feb-09 A PERSUASIVE BRIEF AND MEMORANDUM
Feb-08 A PERSUASIVE BRIEF AND MEMORANDUM
Feb-07 A PERSUASIVE BRIEF AND MEMORANDUM
Feb-06 A PERSUASIVE BRIEF AND MEMORANDUM
Jul-06 A PERSUASIVE BRIEFS
Jul-05 B PERSUASIVE BRIEFS
Jul-07 B PERSUASIVE LETTER
Jul-05 A PERSUASIVE LETTER
Feb-05 A PERSUASIVE LETTER
Feb-04 A PERSUASIVE LETTER
Feb-03 A PERSUASIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-01 A PERSUASIVE MEMORANDUM
Jul-09 A POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
Jul-08 B POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
Feb-02 A POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
Feb-04 B PRE-COUNSELING LETTER

Anonymous said...

NO, this list is not intended to get you to focus on certain subjects, while overlooking others, BUT, it is meant to show you, the frequency with which each subject has been tested in the past 40 administrations of the CA exam:

33 - Professional (don't forget CA)
26 - Evidence (don't forget CA)
24 - Constitutional
23 - Contracts (don't forget UCC)
23 - Torts
20 - Civil (don't forget CA)
20 - Property
20 - Wills (don't forget CA)
19 - Business (don't forget Agency and Partnerships)
19 - Criminal
19 - Remedies
18 - Community (obviously CA)
15 - Trusts (don't forget cA)
10 - Procedure

The Grand Poobah said...

Anon 4:41: Got that. Very useful. Helps when planning study schedule. Thanks very much!

Kath said...

HI GB, I've been following your blog for awhile know. Can I ask you something?

Do you regret going to law school in light of the bar situation? I hated law school, totally regretted going (but finished since I didn't know what else to do and was 1/2 done), and when I failed the bar, I felt so angry that I had gotten myself into the situation in the first place.

Perhaps you don't regret going at all, but I am curious ... or maybe it's not even a thought to entertain in order to move forward.

Anonymous said...

To Brook Davis:

Actually, I find your response regarding the PTs interesting. You may just be on to something here.

If you read this, I would truly appreciate what you saw or learned when the "light bulb" went on.

I totally missed the "well-crafted headings" and the fact they were given in the instructions. Hard to remember what I did, but I do remember I did not have the feeling of being in control as you did.

Any tips or suggestions on your approach would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

kris said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kris said...

@kath

I bought into the dream of a respected profession - everyone fancies themselves as Mrs LA Law.

It really is the crock at the end of the rainbow - because every other fucker had the same idea. There are too many of us and what we fought tooth and nail for is barely valued.

Mind you, I am grateful for the excellent education I received. I'm a different person than I was when I left the navy (enlisted) and started this chapter of my life.

I'm also proud of what I accomplished. After high drama, I passed the Bar exams and am practising in my home jurisdiction. Maybe it's the same pride in finishing a marathon: lots of people talk about it, only a few actually do it.

Maybe it's a crock because it never ends. You get qualified, then you have to fight for a job in something you're remotely interested in. The temp jobs are a road to nowhere - and if you have bills to pay, you could find yourself stuck in doing idiot work for assholes.

I've worked for "big law" and the drive-byes here may talk shite about how clever they are to have landed a job there - but it's the same old shit. Only that the pay's better.

Honestly, in for a penny - in for a pound. I'm trying to pro bono my way into something meaningful. FYI, meaningful doesn't pay -but it's my way forward.

But if knew what I was getting myself in for when I was leaving the Navy, I probably wouldn't have left.

Mind you, I could have been base commander at Bagram Air Base or a Gitmo guard. Realistically, there's no way this head (and body!) could go back.

Maybe I am better off after all and will find my way - but I feel like I'm running out of time.

Or maybe you've caught me at the wrong time of the month, economic cycle?

Apologies to GP, because I never allowed myself the indulgence of this while focused on the exams. As you can see, there's plently of time for all that AFTER you pass.

The Grand Poobah said...

Kath: No.

Kris: No worries. It's all good. Life is what you make it.

Anonymous said...

GP:

Just curious about something given your difficulties with the PT. At the risk of being redundant (maybe you've already addressed this somewhere else), but do you have any real legal experience under your belt?

Perhaps if you worked part-time for a sole practitioner or small firm and actually had to do a lot of those tasks those PTs ask for, maybe you wouldn't find them so difficult.

I worked for a sole practitioner in litigation during law school and found the PTs relatively easy. I barely studied for them and concentrated my time in the essays and MBEs.

After you become proficient in research and writing in actual practice, I think you'll find them easy as well. After all, all the research is already provided for you. All you have to do is write it. I only wish actual practice were so easy.

Brook Davis said...

Anon and all:

From PT A (July 09) the following comes from the task memo to the applicant:

please draft a Statement of Uncontested Facts and a persuasive brief in support of our motion in which we argue that:

1) the one-page letter is not enforceable as a contract;

2) varies the one-year term of the
policy;

3) and is not a sufficient basis for Farley’s fraud allegation.

Each of these calls starts the "carefully crafted subject headings" in the responsive memo.

By adding "because" and the related rule from the library you have your issue/rule/conclusion pre-filled in.

All that was left for me was to take the supportive facts and fill them in under the correct argument.

The statement of uncontested facts was started for you - simply copy the two facts already given and use the same format through all the facts that also prove the arguments.

Only by doing as many PTs as it took for the light buld to go on for me was I able to see the exam for what it is - an exam.

You must do them over and over knowing that there are limited ways to test you before you see the patterns and see the solutions to the patterns.

All of course in my humble Airborne but passed the bar opinion.

For what its worth, my 20 years of working as a paralegal did NOT help me with the PTS - it made it more difficult.

Unknown said...

Brian - it's me Sandy -

I met you at Monday Night Football w/Paul and I hope to be back (I work at night).

I tried emailing you at the address on your card, to no avail - the card you wrote the blog on - so maybe it was an old out-dated card.

Anyway . . .

I was so bummed out to see that you did not make it but I did check out this blog as promised and LOVE it and I'm glad to see that you're taking the Bar again. You have inspired me beyond belief.

I'm also glad that you have not abandoned the Blog as well.

I used Flemings wife (?) for the PTs (Susan?) I used the CDs - not the $400 class. Paul recommended those and I LOVED them!

They didn't work for you? I don't mean to be glib I mean did you try them and she didn't "speak" to you? She SANG to me.

Of course I do work in a law firm and thoroughly read every complex memo that I can get my hands on and it helps that I type 100+ WPM - HOWEVER, she really tied up the loose ends for me regarding "a plan." I thought I would puke with my first PT and the two people on either side jumped into a quiet, focused effort and I told myself if I can just not come unglued for 15 minutes maybe it'll get better - and wow! Turned out I LOVED them and her plan, skimming, organizing really worked.

I would be glad to help you if you so desire. I'm sure you've heard it all, but you never know. So email me anytime if you want to get together and I can show you EXACTLY what I did and it worked cuz I passed.

I think you need a solid plan and you can't fail.

SandraNutt1234@gmail.com
(818) 640-6009
Take care!
Hang in!
HAPPY FRIGGIN' HOLIDAYS!
and
STAY STRONG! ;-)
There is much love out here in cyber space!

Unknown said...

PS - Love, Love, LOVE - did I say LOVE Pasadena? Great place to take it.

Took Baby Bar there, General Bar and Swearing In Ceremony - Beautimous, peaceful, tons of places to eat or sit if you don't get an hotel. Am posting this publicly for the benefit of others. And then of course that wonderful hotel right on top of the convention center.

I had to walk off my stress during the Bar and so I walked in my park near my house in the AM and in LOVELY PASADENA during lunch - so peaceful (AND AGAIN!! When I got home.) Yes, the adrenaline was at an all time high for those three days.

AND FYI . . . I originally got Ontario and IMMEDIATELY sent a letter to switch to Pasadena and it was granted very quickly.

Don't know if folks know that - read the fine print in all that stuff they give you. They give you a deadline for test center change request. USE IT if you don't get the place you want.

Anonymous said...

Hi Brian,

I hope that all is well with you and the studying sessions.

I am currently kind of in a funk in terms of my abilities to ficus on my studies, since I was informed that my 86 year old father, has been granted hospice care and has no more than about five days to live.

In any case, thanks again for meeting me for lunch.

Gabriel

kris said...

Dear Gabriel

I am sorry to hear the sad news about your father. My father died during my Bar school (UK) and just because they're older does not make it any easier. It's the hardest thing I've ever been through. I would be amazed if you could focus on any studies at the moment. It took me some time. Be kind to yourself.

God bless both you and your father.

Anonymous said...

kris, thank you for the kind words.

Gabriel

kris said...

a lawyers' hug to you, Gabriel.

Anonymous said...

kris said...
a lawyers' hug to you, Gabriel.

December 11, 2009 11:39 AM

For all you regulars and lurkers of this blog, kris is the true meaning of what it is going to take to be a GREAT lawyer. Thank you again kris.

Gabe

Anonymous said...

Well, my prayer for today is that GOD bless my father's soul, as he was taken away from all of us this morning, to join his lovely wife, my mother who passed away back on July 17, 1998. My father was 86 years old. he was a really great man, who loved his family and pretty much sacrificed everything for us all.

I have been told here in this blog and by many other, to be kind to myself, at least through the funeral and through the holiday season, before I make a courageous 4th attempt at passing the CA bar exam in February.

On days such as this, we are reminded what our sense of vulnerability feels like and what is most important in our lives.

I just want to encourage everyone, who is fighting the same uphill battle with the bar exam, as I am, to also be kind to themselves and their loved ones, for without that support group, we would never have this opportunity to realize our professional dream of becoming attorneys.

Gabriel

The Grand Poobah said...

You have my condolences, Gabe, for your loss. I know how tough this is, and I know how it makes everything else in life, including studying for the bar exam, seem insignificant. I know you'll take time to deal with the loss, I also know you'll get back on the study program as soon as you are able to focus.

One thing I learned a very long time ago is to make sure my loved ones know how much I love them. I do this every chance I get because we don't know when our time on this earth will end.

When we're gone, all that's left is how others remember us. It sounds like your father knew how much you loved him. In the end, we all want and need to know that we meant something to someone; that we had a positive influence on our family and on those we encountered in our life. We want to know we were loved and appreciated. If your father knew this, and it sounds like he did, then you can be confident that you eased some of his burden. In that, you can take comfort.

Take good care, my friend, I will talk to you again soon.

Anonymous said...

Brian,

As always, thank you for the kind words.

Gabe

Anonymous said...

What happened to the clock?

Take the time to grieve, Gabriel. I too lost my father just before I took the bar. I thought his spirit would help me pass. Turns out I was wrong. BUT, I did the next time because I was in a better frame of mind.

I am sure a lot of people will tell you this is part of the "circle of life." They are right, but it doesn't make it easier.

Again, take the time to grieve and when you are done you can focus on the present.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to let people know about this site- www.barreviewcafe.com.

They have all the licensed NCBE questions with explanations online.

The questions are organized into "modules"

I signed up for a limited free trial membership. I am thinking about getting it, it is only like $299.00.

Oh, they actually have a year membership, its only 399.99. Seems like a good deal.

goldenrail said...

Just had to say hey. I was on my IP blog (www.ipswhatsup.com) and clicked "next blog" because I've heard it's a good way to explore other blogs. And it took me right to your blog! I used to read your blog often and have a feeling I'll be back here again soon, I start Bar Prep January 4th.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas everyone...

February 2010 probable tasks on PT's:

Objective Memorandum - 36%
Points and Authorities - 21%
Persuasive Briefs and Memoranda - 14%
Counseling memos - 7%
Opinion Letter - 7%
Persuasive Letter - 7%
Supplemental Brief - 7%

Again, Merry Christmas to all of GP nation...

Anonymous said...

Let me be the first one to wish GP and GP Nation a Merry Christmas.

What a SAD bunch of posters on this blog, as not one person thought of wishing anyone else a greeting for the holidays.

You know people, there is more to life than just talking bar exam and becoming a lawyer.

Most of you will find that out unfortunately, as some of you will never pass the exam, no matter how many times you take it and others will have a very short lived career as a lawyer.

"ALL LAWYERS MUST HAVE THE HUMAN FACTOR WORKING FOR THEM, IF THEY EVER HOPE TO MAKE A LIVING AT THIS"

kris said...

glad to see Anon 25 Dec 08:43 is handing out slaps for, er, us not spreading Christmas cheer.

Classic.

You don't happen to work for the Government, do you?

Merry Christmas GP and to everyone here!

The Grand Poobah said...

Goldenrail; Best of luck to you in your preparations. I won't be studying along with you (because I'm going to pass it this time) but I'll be with you (and everyone else) in spirit!

GP