By Hiba Tawfik, Legal Counsel at CSCEC Middle East and BARBRI Alumni
I knew I wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember, and the journey to becoming one was far from the traditional path taken. With a background in international relations and political science, I started my career in international development working for world-renowned organizations, managing large complex projects throughout the EMEA region.
While tending to a very demanding job, I was still adamant about pursuing a legal career. I set out to earn my second bachelor’s degree, a common law LL.B. (Hons), in the United Arab Emirates with the aspiration of becoming a global attorney.
Achieving qualification as a U.S. attorney was something I had dreamed about, but never thought was possible. Then I met the BARBRI team in the UAE, and the encounter dramatically changed my professional course.
I met the BARBRI team in Dubai in 2017 at an introductory workshop. It was at a time when students and practicing lawyers from the region rarely qualified in the U.S. The information was overwhelming, but the BARBRI representative patiently answered every question that I threw his way at the time and for the next few months until I finally made the decision to go for it!
As a foreign-educated lawyer, it is easy to get discouraged by the statistics of pass rates and the opinion that it is very difficult to pass the U.S. bar exam. I am a testament to the fact that it is possible.
Not only did I pass on my first try — during a global pandemic, but my score was in the top 10% of bar takers for the same sitting. I cannot thank BARBRI enough for their role in my success.
Read the full blog here.
