Pham Minh Chuyen is an alumna who majored in business administration and law at the University of Law, HCM City. During her student years, Chuyen was well known for her second prize in scientific research and the highest grade for her English thesis with a score of 9.8/10. Notably, she graduated from the school with two degrees of distinction in Law and Business Administration.

After graduation in 2021, Chuyen worked for a law firm belonging to the Big 4. She also had the opportunity to work in the legal department of a technology company owned by a Hong Kong (China) enterprise.

Two years later, Chuyen pursued a training course for a master's degree at the University of Southern California in the US, completing it in just nine months. She was among the top 10 percent of best students and the top 25 percent of students winning High Pass Certificate in legal writing skills. 

Six months ago, Chuyen passed the California Bar Examination. California has always been among the states with the lowest bar exam pass rates. She had to spend at least 12 hours a day to review for the exam and did this for 10 consecutive weeks. 

In the US, the path to becoming a lawyer typically starts with a bachelor's degree first, then taking the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) to enter law school which lasts three years. Then after graduating with a Juris Doctor degree, graduates take the Bar Exam in the state where they want to practice.

California Bar Examination lasts two days and examinees are not allowed to use documents. On the first day, she completed six essays within 6.5 hours, and on the second day, she fulfilled a multiple-choice test within six hours.

Chuyen attributes her success in passing the bar exam to the knowledge, skills, and experiences accumulated during her university studies and professional work. She considers herself fortunate to have passed the exam right at the first attempt. Currently, Chuyen works for one of the oldest litigation law firms in California.

Passion for law inspired by television dramas

Minh Chuyen became passionate about law when she was a high school student. Initially, she was drawn to American legal dramas such as "How to Get Away with Murder," "Suits," and "Better Call Saul." These shows inspired her to dream of becoming an edgy and savvy lawyer. Later, she gave it more serious thought and realized her interests in reading and writing. She also enjoyed debating to solve problems, and realized that working as a lawyer was a suitable path.

Chuyen also decided to become a lawyer because both her parents studied law, providing her with guidance and a passion for the field. 

"My mother has been the one who guided and inspired me, and she has been the most influential mentor in my career," Chuyen said.

According to Chuyen, the ability to focus on one's goals is crucial for success. Trying to excel in all fields can be challenging and may lead to burnout. She believes that it would be better to gather all energy in goals that are truly important and align with their strengths. Additionally, writing skills are one of the most critical factors for a lawyer, even in the era of AI.

"Anyone can write, but writing concisely, comprehensively, understandably, and tailored to the reader is a skill that requires practice. I always strive to hone my writing skills," she said. Chuyen believes that besides having knowledge and skills, the most important factor is to have unwavering faith in one's abilities, as this is a significant motivator to overcome challenges ahead.

Reviewing her path so far, Chuyen acknowledged that she wouldn't be where she is today without the support of her loved ones. She views life as a path filled with numerous steps, each of which offers essential lessons that guide her towards her goals. 

Le Huyen