Rickey's Rule

Slightly less than one year ago, my extraordinary niece, Simone (Jill and Joe's oldest), earned her J.D. from the University of San Francisco Law School.  She is just the second member of the family to chart this particular course professionally, so as you might imagine, the first member of the family to do it has taken a keen interest in her journey.  So much so that last May, on the eve of the 2019 Bay Head 5K Memory Run, I live-streamed the graduation ceremony from our house in Lake Como. I stood in my living room and cheered when Simone's name was called. 

California has a hard Bar Exam.  Notoriously hard.  So hard in fact that the State of California Board of Bar Examiners, in announcing the results of February's edition of the exam this past Friday night, shared that the pass rate was historically low.  Approximately three-quarters of the candidates who sat for the California Bar in February failed it.  

Selfishly speaking, however, when measuring the pass rate of candidates for admission to the California Bar about whom I care, the pass rate improved substantially.  All the way to 100% as a matter of fact...

Conspicuously absent from Simone's roll call of those who helped her achieve this goal is her own name.  Truthfully, it was her own hard work and tireless preparation, coupled with her own innate intellect, which got her to this point.  We make our own luck in this world.  In my experience, far more often than not, what presents as "luck" to the world-at-large, is the result of one's dedication, hard work, and sacrifice.   

Congratulations, Simone, and welcome to the profession!  

We are lucky to have you.

-AK