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Kim Kardashian has officially completed her six-year legal apprenticeship, making her eligible to sit for the California bar exam, her representative confirmed. The reality star turned criminal justice reform advocate celebrated the milestone with a private graduation ceremony attended by family, friends, and mentors.
"All of you guys have been on this journey with me," Kardashian said during her speech at the surprise ceremony. She revealed that her interest in law was sparked by a video she came across on social media that left her feeling "dumbfounded."
Kardashian pursued law through California's unique apprenticeship pathway, which allows individuals to study under a practicing lawyer or judge instead of attending traditional law school. Jessica Jackson, one of her mentors, called it "one of the most inspiring legal journeys we've ever seen." She added, "Six years ago, Kim Kardashian walked into this program with nothing but a fierce desire to fight for justice. No law school lectures, no ivory tower shortcuts, just determination. And a mountain of case law books to read."
According to Jackson, 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 — time she managed to set aside while "raising four children, running businesses, filming television shows, and showing up in courtrooms to advocate for others."
Her graduation came as a surprise orchestrated by her loved ones. "They are all excited and proud of her and wanted to surprise her to celebrate this accomplishment," an insider told Us Weekly. "Her law mentors are also surprising her, and she has no clue they will be there."
The celebration included personalized touches such as flashcards turned into placemats, and her son Psalm wearing a tan suit and tie in honor of his grandfather, Robert Kardashian, who was also an attorney. Her daughter Chicago donned a pinstripe suit inspired by Kardashian's 2023 Harvard Business School look.
Kardashian, who began her legal studies in 2019, has already passed the multistate professional responsibility exam. She previously shared with Vogue her motivation: "I just felt like I wanted to be able to fight for people who have paid their dues to society... if I knew more, I could do more." She now prepares to take on California's bar exam — the final step to becoming a licensed lawyer.
