Assembly recognizes 17-year-old law clerk as youngest to pass California bar exam
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Summary
Assemblymember Macedo honored Sophia Jin Hee Park on the Assembly floor in Sacramento for passing the California State Bar Exam at age 17 years, 8 months; Park graduated from Northwestern California University School of Law in 2024 and is a law clerk in the Tulare County District Attorney's Office, and is on track to be licensed in March 2025.
Assemblymember Macedo recognized Sophia Jin Hee Park on the Assembly floor in Sacramento as the youngest person to pass the California State Bar Exam, saying she passed at 17 years, 8 months and is on track to be licensed in March 2025.
The recognition noted Park's accelerated academic path: she began law school in 2020 at age 13, graduated from Northwestern California University School of Law in 2024 and currently serves as a law clerk in the Tulare County District Attorney's Office.
Assemblymember Macedo told colleagues that Park beat the record previously held by her brother, Peter Park, and said Park will be eligible for licensure once she turns 18. "Please join me in congratulating Sophia Jin Hee Park," Macedo said on the floor.
Members in the gallery included Park's family: her mother, Ki Eun Lee; father, Bi Young Jo Park; older brother, Peter Park; and two younger siblings, Sarah and Andrew, who were noted as attending with her. Macedo framed the recognition as a milestone for young people pursuing legal careers, emphasizing the rarity of a bar pass at Park's age.
The Assembly's recognition occurred during the guest-introductions portion of the day's session. No legislation or formal action related to the bar exam or licensure was proposed or decided in connection with the recognition. The Assembly moved on to other ceremonial items and adjournments in memory after the guest introductions.