In a story that reads like a Hollywood screenplay yet is rooted in perseverance, transformation, and unrelenting ambition, Kim Kardashian has officially graduated from law school. The reality TV mogul, entrepreneur, and criminal justice reform advocate marked the milestone in a heartfelt backyard ceremony surrounded by her closest family and friends on May 21, 2025.
The moment was significant not just for Kardashian but for anyone who has ever dared to pivot paths mid-life, challenge expectations, and chase a seemingly unattainable dream. From the glitz of reality TV to the sobering halls of justice, Kim Kardashian’s journey has been anything but conventional. Yet with this latest chapter, she has added another dimension to a career already defined by reinvention.
Kim’s decision to pursue law was more than just a personal ambition—it was a tribute to her father, the late Robert Kardashian Sr., a renowned attorney best known for his role in defending O.J. Simpson during the infamous 1995 murder trial. Robert’s dedication to law and justice had always lingered in Kim’s life like a distant call she couldn’t quite ignore.
In 2018, that call became impossible to silence. Kim announced her decision to pursue a legal career through California’s Law Office Study Program—a little-known but rigorous alternative to traditional law school. This four-year apprenticeship path allows candidates to study law under the supervision of a practicing attorney or judge instead of attending a law school.
The program is demanding, requiring over 5,000 hours of study. Participants must also pass the First-Year Law Students’ Examination, known colloquially as the “baby bar,” as well as the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), all before even qualifying for the California Bar Exam. Few take this route, and fewer still succeed. But Kim Kardashian was undeterred.
Kim’s legal journey wasn’t without its setbacks. She failed the baby bar on her first attempt—a reality she shared candidly with her fans on her family’s Hulu series, The Kardashians. But instead of quitting, she doubled down, studying rigorously and eventually passing the baby bar in December 2021.
“I failed this exam three times in two years, but I got back up each time and studied harder and tried again until I did it!” she posted on Instagram at the time. That resilience was a harbinger of what was to come. She passed the MPRE in March 2025, inching ever closer to her ultimate goal.
Her journey was not taken in solitude. Kim credited her legal mentors, including CNN commentator and social justice advocate Van Jones, for helping her along the way. At her graduation party, an emotional Jones praised Kardashian’s dedication, recalling her early efforts in criminal justice reform that were often dismissed by others.
“Six years ago, seven years ago when you were working on criminal justice, you were not embraced by anybody,” Jones said at the ceremony. “You were working with people who were thrown away often by their own families. You were working with people who were literally one step from the grave.”
Kim’s graduation celebration was intimate yet significant, held in the backyard of a private estate and adorned with personal touches. There were legal-themed decorations, including placemats that mimicked her study flashcards and a briefcase-carrying Psalm West, her youngest son, dressed adorably as a mini lawyer.
Her sisters, Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian, were present to celebrate the occasion. Khloé shared a heartfelt message: “I am so proud of Kim. I just left her celebration lunch for graduating law school—I mean, I cannot believe this is years and years in the making.” Kourtney echoed the sentiment, posting a video of herself wearing a cap and gown, captioned, “supportive sister.”
Adding a touch of political glamour to the festivities was Ivanka Trump, who posted a congratulatory message along with a photo of Kim in her graduation cap: “Congratulations Kim! You did it! My favorite law school graduate!”
Kim herself took to social media to share the moment with her 360 million Instagram followers, writing over one of the videos, “I finally graduated law school after six years!!!”
For Kardashian, the pursuit of law was never a vanity project. It was born from her real-world impact in the fight for criminal justice reform—a cause she’s championed with intensity and influence.
In 2018, she met with then-President Donald Trump to advocate for the clemency of Alice Marie Johnson, a grandmother serving a life sentence for a non-violent drug offense. The meeting, and the media storm it created, led to Trump commuting Johnson’s sentence. It was a breakthrough moment, not just for Johnson, but for Kardashian’s credibility in the legal and political spheres.
Since then, she has continued working behind the scenes on clemency petitions and prison reform, often using her platform to highlight injustices and rally support for legislative change. She played a role in pushing forward the First Step Act, a significant criminal justice reform bill that passed with bipartisan support.
“People assume I’m just doing this for publicity,” Kardashian has said in interviews. “But when you meet someone who’s been sentenced to die in prison for a mistake they made 20 years ago, you realize this is about real lives, real families, and real futures.”
Though she has graduated from the Law Office Study Program, Kardashian still has one final hurdle before becoming a fully licensed attorney: passing the California Bar Exam. With a notoriously low pass rate, the exam is daunting even for those with traditional law school training. But if her past efforts are any indication, Kardashian will tackle it head-on.
Legal experts acknowledge that her unconventional route may have left some academic gaps. However, others argue that her practical experience, mentorship, and sheer determination offer a different but equally valuable kind of education.
Simultaneously, Kardashian is set to portray a lawyer in the upcoming Hulu series All’s Fair, created by TV heavyweight Ryan Murphy. The series is expected to debut in fall 2025 and stars an impressive cast, including Naomi Watts, Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson, and Niecy Nash. In it, Kardashian plays a powerful attorney navigating the complexities of high-stakes litigation, blurring the lines between her real-life legal pursuits and on-screen persona.
What makes Kim Kardashian’s legal achievement particularly compelling is how it redefines her public persona. For years, critics dismissed her as a symbol of celebrity excess—a reality star famous for being famous. But her commitment to law, advocacy, and reform tells a different story.
She’s not just adding “Esq.” to the end of her name for vanity. She’s building a brand that stands for more than cosmetics and couture. She’s creating a legacy rooted in justice, compassion, and tenacity.
That’s not to say she’s left behind her glamorous lifestyle or business empire. Her shapewear company, Skims, continues to thrive, and her social media presence remains as influential as ever. But now, her audience sees a multidimensional figure—one who can headline the Met Gala and also help rewrite someone’s legal fate.
Kim Kardashian’s law school graduation is more than celebrity news. It’s a lesson in grit, vision, and the courage to redefine oneself.
In a world that too often places people in boxes—whether it be “reality star,” “influencer,” or “socialite”—Kardashian has broken out of hers and dared to write a new narrative. Her success sends a powerful message: it’s never too late to pursue a different path, challenge societal norms, and fight for something bigger than yourself.
As she now prepares for the California Bar Exam and continues her work in criminal justice, Kardashian isn’t just playing a lawyer on TV—she’s becoming one in real life. And that, perhaps, is the most compelling plot twist of all.
