A Florida teenager has become the youngest person in more than 600 years to be called to the Bar in England and Wales. Gabrielle Turnquest of Windemere, Florida, has already made history by becoming the youngest person to earn a BA in psychology at Liberty University in Virginia at just 16, and then went on to enroll at the University of Law in York, England, at just 17.
The average age of a person successfully passing the bar exam in England is 27. Only in 2009 did the country drop a requirement that prospective barristers be at least 21 before taking the exam.
Time magazine points out, though, that before she actually practices law in England she would need to undergo another year of training called "pupilage." Turnquest could also practice in the Bahamas where her parents are from and where she holds dual citizenship. Bahamian law is based on English law, and passing the English exam grants her the right to practice law there.
Though, Turnquest plans on returning to America to study for the multi-state bar exam. She then plans on attending Institute of Design and Merchandising in California and hopes to eventually specialize in fashion law.
"I just really like finishing things before other people do," she told Time. "I don't do well with breaks or vacations."
Turnquest was not the only member of her family to be called to the bar at the same time. Her 22-year-old sister Kandi also passed the exam.
Finally, we have something novel to post about that happened to a Floridian that actually makes us proud.
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