Alumnus passes Bar, and then some

06/25/2008

Alumnus passes Bar, and then some

Robert Tierney - fixed

Robert Tierney
     Since graduating from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law in December, Robert Tierney has taken some time to figure out what he wants to do with his law degree and his life. He also took a BarBri course and spent virtually every waking moment in January and February studying for the Bar.
     It paid off.
     Tierney, a 31-year-old Gilbert resident, received the second highest score, among the 350 applicants, on the February 2008 Arizona Bar examination. His score was 523.1, out of a possible 600. (Passing is 410.)
     "I was ecstatic," he said. "I just remember jumping up and down."
     Before receiving his score in early May, Tierney admitted being unsure of how he'd fared. "The Bar exam was a lot like some of the classes in law school, where you start out being overwhelmed with the amount of material, and you just study and study as hard as you can," he said. "I was just hoping I'd pass."
     Tierney, a former business consultant whose undergraduate degrees are in psychology and linguistics, came to law school because he wanted to improve his analytical, negotiation and writing skills. He hasn't decided whether he will practice law or use his law degree as an entrepreneur, and is considering several options.
     "It may sound odd, but to me, it's part of finding the right fit," he said. "Being a member of the Bar will give me a lot of opportunities, even if I don't practice law in a law firm."
     Tierney also is committed to doing pro bono work in the community, something he didn't have time for while in law school.
     "I'm really proud of the law school," he said. "I think it's a great school, and I'm looking forward to using my legal training for the good of others."
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