Latest news with #First-YearLawStudents'Examination
Metro
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Kim Kardashian's success in law proves her misogynistic haters wrong
Kim Kardashian has once again found herself at the heart of a tidal wave of criticism – only this time it seems to be totally unwarranted. Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know that the reality TV star has just completed California's rigorous law apprenticeship path, passed the 'baby bar,' and graduated from the same legal system she's worked within for years to fight unjust incarceration. It's a feat that few could accomplish. So why, therefore, instead of applause, is Kim facing mockery and ridicule? The answer: misogyny, elitism, and resentment of a woman who refuses to stay in the box she was put in. Her critics on X claim that Kardashian 'paid for her degree' or took a 'run-around' route, but, let's be clear, California's legal apprenticeship path is not a shortcut. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It's one of the oldest and most grueling routes to becoming a lawyer, requiring thousands of supervised study hours, passage of the First-Year Law Students' Examination (commonly called the 'baby bar'), and ultimately will end in her taking the same Bar Exam as law school graduates. And she's done all that while simultaneously producing television, running a multimillion-dollar business empire, and raising four children. Yes, she pursued this from a place of immense wealth and privilege, but isn't it admirable when someone with no financial incentive and nothing to prove chooses to dedicate their time and energy to something larger than themselves, simply to help improve society? Isn't this exactly the kind of influence we should want celebrities to wield? We often complain that celebrity culture is shallow or self-serving, but Kim Kardashian has repeatedly used her platform in extraordinary ways to advocate for criminal justice reform in the past. Through her initiative, she's brought resources to issues that receive far too little sustained attention from politicians (let alone pop culture figures), such as the injustices of mass incarceration, wrongful convictions, and sentencing inequities. Her work has also led to the release of multiple people serving what I can only describe as unfair prison sentences, including Alice Marie Johnson. She's a grandmother and first-time nonviolent offender who had been sentenced to life in prison without parole for her role in a drug trafficking operation. How is it then fair that when one of the most famous women in the world chooses to use her fame to fight for the voiceless (and does the intellectual and emotional labour to back it up) she's mocked for not being 'serious' enough? Much of the criticism reeks of a kind of snobbery. The idea that only those who take the traditional law school route are worthy of respect ignores the long American history of legal apprentices, including Abraham Lincoln, who doesn't normally find himself having much in common with a Kardashian. Apprenticeship paths are still recognised in multiple states because they allow working people (especially those without access to elite institutions) to enter the profession. That path is especially relevant in a time when law school debt can exceed six figures. But underneath this criticism is something even more toxic that is often at play when it comes to cultural opinions on the Kardashians: misogyny. Detractors of this family don't just question her non-traditional route into the legal profession; they question her right to be taken seriously at all. They reduce her to her body, her beauty, and her brand. There's an unspoken rule here: if you've made your name in reality TV that was originally created after a sex tape made you famous, if you've built a brand around femininity and being a sex symbol, you're not allowed to be serious or smart. Yet if she were a man – someone who built such a massive business, leveraged fame into political influence, and committed to a years-long educational pursuit – she'd be called a genius and an entrepreneur with brilliant acumen. We've seen it too many times before. Women in public life are expected to prove themselves in ways men simply aren't. They are expected to apologise for ambition, downplay their success, and stay in their lane – particularly if they've been culturally positioned as sex symbols. Angelina Jolie, for example, was a critically acclaimed actress who happened to be beautiful and open about her sensuality. As a result, as she aged, she had to work hard to be taken seriously as a humanitarian and director. In contrast, male actors transitioning to directing are often immediately treated as auteurs, without seemingly needing to prove moral or emotional 'growth.' Or take Sydney Sweeney, who is relentlessly accused of dating her male co-stars and hyper sexualised. The idea that her confidence in her appearance somehow diminishes her complexity or credibility is, not only outdated, but also deeply reductive. When female celebrities are unapologetic about their achievements, the backlash often comes disguised as legitimate critique, when the reality is that a man would never face the same pigeonholing. More Trending Of course, it's fine to question the role of celebrity in politics and justice reform. Skepticism is healthy, and the Kardashians' brand of hyper-consumerism and perpetuation of unhealthy beauty standards are worth questioning. But dismissing Kim Kardashian's achievements outright doesn't just undermine her work, it also discourages others – especially women – from using their power to fight for something bigger than themselves. So yes, this reality star then legal apprentice didn't go to traditional law school, but she still accomplished something – with the intention of making herself better capable of changing a broken system. And that's far more than her critics have even attempted. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Tom Cruise eats popcorn in the most 'aggressive' way – and it's driving fans mad MORE: I saw a child in Gaza digging through rubble – the reason broke my heart MORE: Selena Gomez shows support for Hailey Bieber after ex Justin's savage Vogue comments
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Kim Kardashian graduates law school after 6 years in surprise backyard commencement ceremony
The verdict is in. Kim Kardashian officially graduated from law school and celebrated her six-year educational journey in a backyard commencement ceremony in Beverly Hills, the reality star revealed Wednesday. The Skims founder, 44, shared a series of Instagram stories that captured her mentors praising her for completing the four-year legal apprenticeship during the surprise gathering, where she fashioned a tan graduation cap on a stage before her kids and a small group of family and friends. Advertisement 6 Kim Kardashian celebrated graduating from law school. Instagram/@kimkardashian 'All of you guys have been on this journey with me,' the mom-of-four said while standing at a podium dolled up in a gray sweater, leather mini skirt, black stockings and white pumps. The business mogul first shared her legal aspirations and passion for justice reform in 2019 – and has since played a significant role in helping inmates, including Julius Jones, commute their prison sentences. Advertisement Kardashian – who never graduated college – opted against law school instead to pursue a legal program in California that allows individuals to qualify for the bar exam under the mentorship of a licensed attorney. 6 The 'Kardashians' star shared snippets from the ceremony on her Instagram Story Wednesday. Instagram/@kimkardashian 'Six years ago, Kim Kardashian walked into this program with nothing but a fierce desire to fight for justice,' her mentor, attorney Jessica Jackson, said in one of the shared clips. 6 She was seen holding up her diploma and hugging her mentors. Instagram/@kimkardashian Advertisement 'No law school lectures, no ivory tower shortcuts, just determination and a mountain of case log books to read,' she said, noting that Kardashian dedicated '18 hours a week, 48 weeks a year for six straight years.' 'That's a total of 5,184 hours of legal study. That's time she carved out while raising four children, running businesses, filming television shows and showing up in courtrooms to advocate for others.' 6 Kardashian announced she was embarking on her law school journey in 2019. Instagram/@kimkardashian Kardashian — who was shown hugging her mentors and showcasing her diploma — passed California's First-Year Law Students' Examination or the 'baby bar' after taking the test four times in December 2021. Advertisement 'The Kardashians' star still needs to pass the Bar Exam to practice law in the Golden State. Photos of the celebratory luncheon captured her 5-year-old son, Psalm West, carrying a briefcase while sporting a tan suit and tie inspired by his late grandfather, attorney Robert Kardashian Sr. 6 The Skims founder shared a photo of her son Psalm wearing a suit inspired by the late Robert Kardashian Sr. Instagram/@kimkardashian Kardashian's daughter, Chicago West, 7, was also seen wearing a black pinstripe suit, similar to her mom's 2023 Harvard Business School look. The momentous gathering also featured placemats made from Kardashian's study flashcards. 6 Her study flashcards were turned into placemats at the celebration. Instagram/@kimkardashian 'I am so proud of Kim,' Khloé Kardashian said in a video posted to her own Instagram account. 'I just left her celebration lunch for graduating law school. I mean, I cannot believe this is years and years in the making. I'm so proud of her. This was just such a cool accomplishment, and I'm so proud.'
