Central California teen becomes youngest person to pass state exam, beating her older brother

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. — A California lawyer has made history by surpassing her older brother as the youngest person to ever pass the state bar exam.

Sophia Park, 17, broke her older brother Peter’s record last year.

Peter was 17 years and 11 months old when he passed the exam, while Sophia was 17 years and 8 months old.

“Sophia’s great achievements speak for themselves, and we couldn’t be more proud as an office family,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. “It is truly remarkable how much success we have had with our law students, interns and attorneys realizing their professional dreams. The dividends for our firm have been tremendous, and we are excited to be part of Sophia and Peter.”

Sophia, like her brother, began studying law in 2020 at the age of 13 while attending the Oxford Academy in Cypress, California.

She graduated from high school in early 2022 and graduated from Northwestern California University School of Law this year.

Sophia is expected to be sworn in as a licensed lawyer in March 2025 after turning 18. She plans to work with her brother at the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office.