Graduating from law school is an accomplishment, but passing the bar exam is the ultimate goal for any budding attorney. For Greg Khandjian and Maxwell Benoit, earning their Juris Doctorate as part of the class of 2025 from the University of West Los Angeles (UWLA) is a point of pride, and passing the California Bar is proof that their hard work has truly paid off.

Greg explained that he was inspired to become an attorney when his passion for biology and medical school had waned. After taking a political science course at Cal Poly Pomona, his professor’s passion for the law shifted his thinking. Following a break from his education, Greg decided the law was his calling.

While working at a law firm and attending law school, Greg heard about UWLA’s School of Law from two co-workers who were attending the school. “They both spoke very highly of UWLA,” stated Greg. “At the time, I was considering dropping out of law school entirely because I was overwhelmed by having to study, do my full-time job, and start a family. UWLA was very attractive due to the flexibility it offered in terms of night classes and the high quality of its faculty. I was able to do my studies without having to put my professional life on hold while pursuing my education.”

Similarly, Max’s decision to pursue a career in law stemmed from a desire to find a new and more lucrative path, particularly with a baby daughter on the way. The fact that his father was a lawyer also probably helped to persuade him. In addition to providing for his young family, Max was attracted to the intellectual stimulation of the profession. As he put it, “There's never a dull moment in this field.”

A More Intimate Learning Experience

Both Greg and Max applauded the School of Law’s faculty. Greg was attracted to the fact that most of the professors were either judges or successful working attorneys. “They have years and years of knowledge that they're passing down to their students,” shared Greg. “Not only do they teach how to be good law students, but equally importantly, how to be good attorneys.”

Greg also shared that coming from a larger law school, he noticed that students and faculty rarely interacted. But at UWLA, there is a much more intimate learning environment where everyone is extremely friendly. “Coming here and seeing the camaraderie and how much people care about each other in a tight-knit community is something I appreciate,” stated Greg. “UWLA is different from other schools because you have the opportunity to interact with professors who truly care about you and guide you.”

Max agreed that the open-door policy with professors was beneficial, with some even calling or texting him at night to answer questions. Max added that the school's affordability was another significant differentiator for him.

Unique Focus on Helping Students Pass the Bar

Another area where the UWLA School of Law distinguishes itself is in helping law students prepare for the bar exam. Greg explained that UWLA’s approach is different. “The law school I attended previously was preparing students to pass the coursework,” he stated. “They weren't preparing students to pass the bar. At UWLA, the emphasis is on the bar from the very first day, when they review the syllabus in class. Professors will tell you, we're preparing you for the bar. We're not just preparing you to get an A or a B in this class. We're preparing you for the long-term.”

Max explains that UWLA’s focus on the bar goes beyond the traditional classwork. The school offers an informal bar prep class that meets every Saturday after the conclusion of the semester. This class helps students allocate their study time effectively. “One of the professors, who used to grade for the bar, is also available to review students and provide feedback. This is invaluable in terms of getting ready for the real thing,” stated Max.

Based on the high rate of students who pass the bar on their first attempt, it is clear that UWLA’s approach is a resounding success story.

Words of Wisdom for Future Law Students

Greg and Max both had advice for students preparing for the bar. “My advice would be don't give yourself too much time off,” stated Greg. “I would also highly recommend starting memorization early, writing down the things that you're reading, and creating your outlines. And reach out to professors for advice. They're here to help, which is why they hand out their phone numbers. While I believe in working hard, you also don't want to burn yourself out.”

“My advice for anybody who's studying for the bar is make sure you have a couple of months off from work before the bar because you’re going to need 14 plus hours a day to prepare,” concluded Max.  “And whatever you do, don’t zone out. You’ve got to embrace the challenge. Identify your weaknesses and work to transform them into strengths. With the education I received at UWLA, I was able to walk into that bar confident, prepared, and ready to make the most of the day. I wouldn't have gotten where I am today without them.”

Greg’s final words of advice for other students are to invest in yourself. Work hard now so your future self will thank you. UWLA’s unique culture of inclusiveness is highly conducive to learning, which is vitally important to student success.