At just 17, Peter Park boldly marked his place in legal history by becoming the youngest person to have passed the California bar exam and officially started practicing law. Since the age of 13, this determined young man embarked on an accelerated journey towards his legal career.
Simultaneously attending high school in Cypress, California, and enrolled in a four-year J.D. program at Northwestern California University School of Law, Parker's path to the legal realm was uniquely interesting. California's regulations allow prospective law students to apply with a completed College Level Examination Program (CLEP) offered by the College Board, as revealed by the district attorney's office in a press release.
Parker expressed his aspirations in the same press release, stating, "I strive to become a prosecutor because I am morally obligated to uphold freedom, equality, and justice in our society." He admired the role of prosecutors in ensuring public safety and assisting victims.
After turning 18 last month, Parker graduated from high school in 2021 and passed his California High School Proficiency Examination. Guided by his unwavering commitment, he continued his legal studies, with plans to complete his degree in 2023.
His journey led him to become a court clerk for the district attorney of Tulare County in August. Subsequently, he was sworn in as a licensed attorney in California on December 5.
Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward, who expressed pride in Parker's accomplishments, indicated in a statement, "We are incredibly proud of Peter's achievements and cannot emphasize it enough." Parker is currently serving as an assistant district attorney and is undergoing additional training to assume the role of district attorney at Tulare County, as per his LinkedIn profile.
The State Bar of California, where Parker secured his bar pass, maintains a roster of over 196,300 active attorneys. Typically, the average age of those admitted as attorneys is around 31 years old. In July, out of the 7,555 individuals who attempted the California bar exam, only 52% passed – the lowest success rate among all 50 states and Washington D.C., based on National Conference of Bar Examiners data.
Reflecting on his achievements, Parker shared, "It required discipline and strategy to meet requirements, but it was ultimately worth it." Displaying gratitude for his chosen path, he expressed hope that more individuals recognized the available avenues beyond a law career.
Parker is scheduled to officially commence his duties as district attorney in Tulare County by early January, following the completion of residential paperwork and salary accounting procedures for new employees.
