California

Furious bar candidates square off with State Bar of California in wake of flubbed exam

Testimonies from examinees detailed delayed start times, rude proctors, technical glitches, grammatical and factual errors in the questions, rampant cheating, and a host of distractions—including proctors arguing and fellow test-takers screaming out of frustration.

Mar 6, 2025 3:36 PM CST

Supreme Court strikes down EPA rules on discharge of water pollution

The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down rules regulating the discharge of water pollution, narrowing the landmark Clean Water Act in an unusual case that pitted one of the nation’s greenest cities—San Francisco—against the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mar 4, 2025 4:55 PM CST

As fallout rains down, California considers return to in-person bar exam

Updated: The flurry of finger-pointing and attempts at rectifying the fallout from the disastrous February administration of California’s new bar exam continues, as the State Bar of California considers returning to an in-person administration for the July exam, scrutinizes its vendor’s failed performance for possible breach of contract, and faces a potential audit.

Mar 4, 2025 9:02 AM CST

California bar hunts for who leaked bar questions, applicants sue test administrator

The State Bar of California will engage forensic experts to identify those who posted content from its new exam online, a move that forced it to push back the planned makeup exam of the troubled test riddled with a host of issues with proctors, connectivity and submission problems, according to a Feb. 27 email.

Feb 28, 2025 11:30 AM CST

California fails new bar exam, offers retake

Updated: After the first day of California’s new bar exam resulted in technical difficulties and problems accessing the test for many candidates, the State Bar of California is weighing options for a retake, according to an email sent the evening of Feb. 25 to all examinees.

Feb 26, 2025 10:27 AM CST

Fail this week’s California bar exam? Retake the July test for free

The State Bar of California will allow those who fail or withdraw from this week’s scheduled bar exam, which is set to launch the test written by Kaplan Exam Services, to take the July exam for free.

Feb 24, 2025 11:46 AM CST

Judge texted bailiff, clerk that he can’t be in court next day because ‘I just shot my wife,’ jurors are told

A California judge admitted that he shot his wife in a text to court personnel, in a police car and when sitting alone in a police interrogation room, jurors were told Wednesday.

Feb 20, 2025 12:32 PM CST

Judge admonished for ‘undignified’ behavior, including gestures mimicking pumping of breast milk

A California judge who commented on people with brown hair and blond hair and once mimicked the pumping of breast milk has been publicly admonished.

Feb 20, 2025 8:55 AM CST

BigLaw business development manager worked 90-hour weeks without overtime pay, suit alleges

Updated: A business development manager alleges that Reed Smith misclassified her employment status, enabling the law firm to avoid paying overtime for work weeks that often stretched to 90 hours in length.

Feb 19, 2025 1:57 PM CST

Apologizing for ‘frustration, confusion,’ California offers refunds to February bar examinees

Updated: The State Bar of California is offering refunds to applicants registered to take February 2025 bar exam because of “scheduling challenges, poor communication and inconsistent messaging,” according to a post on its website.

Feb 19, 2025 8:57 AM CST

Lights, Camera, Contracts: The harsh legal reality of reality television

The main legal need surrounding reality show participants concerns their employment status—or lack thereof. Reality show participants are treated as independent contractors, which technically lets networks and productions evade many of the labor laws that protect employees.

Feb 10, 2025 8:59 AM CST

A Fond Farewell: Law prof’s dying father leads family out of the Palisades wildfire

“Losing our home with all of our possessions pales in comparison to losing my dad. But the things also matter. So many special mementos he had kept for his entire life to pass down to us—letters, photos, memories from our childhoods.”

Feb 5, 2025 10:30 AM CST

Bar associations could be targeted, Trump DEI order says, spurring response from 2 of them

Bar associations could be targeted for investigation under President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end “illegal preferences and discrimination” in government and the private sector.

Jan 23, 2025 10:55 AM CST

LA wildfires will not stop California’s plans to offer new bar exam next month

Updated: While plans to launch a new Kaplan-developed bar exam Feb. 25 and 26 move forward, the State Bar of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners will consider offering a refund to February examinees impacted by the wildfires that have plagued the Los Angeles area.

Jan 22, 2025 2:41 PM CST

As Los Angeles deals with wildfires, law schools offer support

As the wildfires around Los Angeles cause significant chaos for residents, Southern California law schools are mobilizing—with students and faculty offering assistance to those who’ve lost their homes.

Jan 22, 2025 10:59 AM CST