Kim Kardashian just crossed a major milestone on her unconventional path to becoming a licensed attorney in California. At 44, the reality star-turned-legal advocate announced she had officially completed the California Law Office Study Program — a rigorous, non-traditional alternative to law school that allows aspiring lawyers to study through apprenticeship instead of attending a formal legal institution. The achievement marked six years of study, determination, and countless hours spent juggling motherhood, business ventures, and high-profile legal cases.

“I finally graduated law school after 6 years!!!” Kim exclaimed on Instagram, celebrating the moment with a photo that perfectly captured her signature combination of glam and grit. Her family didn’t let the occasion go unnoticed either — they threw her a surprise graduation party on May 21 in Beverly Hills. What Kim thought would be a quiet brunch turned into a vibrant backyard bash complete with her kids, legal mentors, and classic Kardashian fanfare.

According to Us Weekly, the surprise element extended to her law mentors, who made a special appearance. “She has no clue they will be there,” a source revealed beforehand. Friends and fans alike chimed in with congratulations — including Ivanka Trump, who posted, “Congratulations Kim! You did it! My favorite law school graduate!”

Kim’s journey hasn’t been easy or short. Her legal mentor detailed just how much effort she poured into the program: over 5,184 hours of legal study. This was done while managing four children, filming reality shows, running multiple business ventures, and even showing up in courtrooms to advocate for justice. Still, not everyone is applauding. Critics were quick to question the legitimacy of her legal path, pointing out that Kim took six years to complete what is usually a four-year program.

The Law Office Study Program is a little-known but entirely valid route in California that allows individuals to study law under the supervision of licensed attorneys instead of attending traditional law school. Kim began her apprenticeship in 2018 with a San Francisco law firm. Her decision sparked both praise and skepticism. Some admired her dedication, while others accused her of using her fame to bypass academic rigor.

Criminal defense attorney Shaheen Manshoory explained to The Independent that Kim’s extended timeline likely stemmed from struggles with the “baby bar” — California’s First-Year Law Student’s Examination, which all participants in the study program must pass to continue. Kim famously failed it three times before finally passing in 2021. “OMFGGGG I PASSED THE BABY BAR EXAM!!!!” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating the hard-earned victory. “I failed this exam 3 times in 2 years, but I got back up each time and studied harder and tried again until I did it!!!” she added, noting she had a 104-degree fever from COVID during her third attempt but “wasn’t making excuses.”

After clearing the baby bar, she passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) in March 2025 — another significant step. Now, only one hurdle remains: the California Bar Exam. If she passes, Kim will become a licensed attorney in California.

Still, the internet had plenty to say about her progress. Social media exploded with both praise and mockery. Some users applauded her resilience, while others made jokes about her appearance and unconventional journey. “She got her degree from TEMU,” one person wrote. “Is she going to win cases by showing up to court half n\*ked?” another commented sarcastically. Others pointed out the timeline: “Is it supposed to take this long?” someone asked, while another jabbed, “Took her long enough.”

Yet, Kim’s supporters fired back, defending her commitment and determination. “Congrats Kim! Your dad would be proud. Let’s pass that bar!” one fan commented, referencing her late father Robert Kardashian, who was famously part of O.J. Simpson’s legal team. Kim has frequently said her father inspired her to pursue law and that he would’ve been her “best study partner.”

The graduation celebration was filled with personal touches. In true Kardashian fashion, the party included custom placemats printed with Kim’s actual study flashcards. Wearing a gray ensemble with a graduation cap, Kim beamed as her children — Saint, Chicago, and Psalm — looked on proudly. Whether her eldest, North, was present remains unclear.

Guests noted how timely Kim’s legal accomplishment was, considering she’s about to face off in a legal battle with music mogul Diddy. It’s no coincidence that she’s been aligning her brand more closely with law and justice — especially her passion for criminal justice reform. She’s spoken often about wanting to make a real impact, stating in a 2022 interview with Hong Kong Vogue, “I’m very passionate about criminal justice reform and I want to advocate for those who I feel were wrongfully convicted. I dream of one day creating a successful law firm.”

Her interest in law isn’t just performative. Kim has been directly involved in real legal efforts, including advocating for clemency in several high-profile cases and sitting in on real courtroom proceedings. She’s expressed a particular interest in criminal law, once telling Vogue, “Crim law I can do in my sleep.” She also admitted that torts confused her the most and found contract law boring, but criminal law? That was her zone. “Took my first test, I got a 100. Super easy for me.”

Reading, on the other hand, was a different story. “The reading is what really gets me,” she confessed. “It’s so time-consuming. The concepts I grasp in two seconds.”

While online critics haven’t gone easy on her, some throwing in jabs like “Now she can play a lawyer on TV,” or “Hope she uses it to silence her ex,” Kim remains focused on the bigger picture. With over 5,000 hours of legal training under her belt, two significant exams behind her, and one major test ahead, she’s closer than ever to officially becoming an attorney.

Whether you’re cheering her on or side-eyeing her efforts, one thing’s for sure: Kim Kardashian isn’t stopping until she reaches the finish line. And if her past proves anything, it’s that she knows how to push through the noise and keep her eyes on the goal — even if she’s wearing stilettos while doing it.