Kamala Harris’ legal career started with a failed bar exam

Vice President Kamala Harris is making headlines as she emphasizes her experience as a “top cop” in her quest to “prosecute” her GOP opponent and present her case for winning the presidency in November. However, critics argue that her legal career lacks substantial achievements and that her success is primarily due to networking.

Her ascent through the ranks over nearly three decades has not been without obstacles, most notably failing her bar exam on the first attempt in 1989. Civil rights attorney Leo Terrell, who passed the California bar on his initial try the same year, characterizes Harris as a “political opportunist” who capitalized on the right circumstances to advance from district attorney to attorney general to senator to vice president.

According to Terrell, Harris owes much of her career advancement to networking, with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown playing a crucial role. Terrell emphasizes that Harris lacks standout accomplishments as a lawyer and attributes her success to political maneuvering and fortuitous timing.

Despite her rocky start, Harris leaned on her experience as California’s “top cop” following her presidential candidacy announcement, particularly after President Biden exited the race. Advertisements supporting her candidacy underscore her tough prosecutorial background and portray her as familiar with handling individuals like former President Trump.

As Harris’ candidacy gained momentum, Democrats framed the election as a battle between a “Prosecutor vs. the Felon,” contrasting her legal background with Trump’s past legal issues. The narrative was reinforced on social media, with users highlighting Harris’ initial bar exam failure compared to Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s academic achievements.

Harris, a graduate of historically Black college Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, embarked on her legal career in various district attorney’s offices before becoming San Francisco’s top prosecutor in 2004. Her subsequent election as California’s attorney general in 2011 and then as a senator in 2016 solidified her reputation in politics.

After Biden’s nomination, Harris joined forces with him for the 2020 election and secured the vice-presidential seat, with Biden eventually endorsing her as the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 race after he withdrew from contention. Their victory marked a historic moment, with Harris becoming the first female vice president of the United States.

Despite criticisms of her legal career and claims of political opportunism, Harris’ partnership with Biden and subsequent endorsement as the party’s nominee heralds a new chapter in her political journey. As she navigates the complexities of her role as vice president and prepares for the upcoming election, Harris continues to draw both support and scrutiny from various quarters.