I Failed the Bar Story: Morgan Latin Tells her Story
Here's a new episode you don't want to miss.
Meet Morgan Latin
Your Title and Job Now:
Legal Assistant
City of Houston Legal Department
Your I Failed the Bar Story?:
I pushed myself all throughout law school. I was involved in mock trial, moot court, President of Black Law Student’s Association, Chair of the Board of Advocates, served on various committees, interned and graduated a semester early. I started law school on a high and with every semester i drained myself more and more, but was determined to fight through. My mental health was already declining. Then my last semester life hit me all at once. I felt completely overwhelmed and moved in with a friend searching for a more positive environment. My mental health was so bad that i was not anle to process and retain information. It was a struggle just to listen through my lectures. I almost didn’t graduate early because i struggled so bad through my seminar paper that I literally could not finish it. I was granted several extensions. Then, on my 30th birthday (three weeks before finals) I ended up in a hit and run car accident totaling my car and leaving me with really bad back pain. Two weeks before finals I ruined my computer and had to borrow computers from friends to finish my paper and prepare for online exams. After my accident and all throughoutmy final exams I could not sit down for longer than 30-45 minutes without standing or stretching.
Prior to my last semester and leading into Bar prep I knew my body, my mind and God gave me sign after sign that I needed to breathe, step back, slow down and take time for myself. I ignored every sign because I had a plan. I saw an adjustment to my plan as defeat. I did not want to let go of my vision of myself as one who thrived and achieved every goal during my law school journey, so I persisted.
I fought through my anxiety, my depression and ran myself into the ground trying to stay on track and take the February 2020 Bar Exam. I was not even surprised when i did not pass. I lost my job offer when i didnt pass. I had to move in with family because my money had run out. I had to beg to get out of a lease i was prepared to sign. Losing my independence hurt worse than the failing scores.
After failing I had nothing else to do, so I had no choice but to finally rest. I finally stopped trying to do everything myself and reached out for help! I finally accepted that no matter how hard I try to fight against God’s timing, it is perfect.
After resting, I was slowly coming back to a whole place. I knew becoming an attorney was my purpose, so even in failing I never doubted that eventually it would happen. That didnt make Bar prep easy, but it help me stay in good spirits. A level head, rest and self-care pushed me through my second bar prep process just as much (if not more) as my study schedule. As a result, I walked out of my second administration at peace. I knew I gave all I could and I was proud of my progress.
Passing the July 2021 Bar Exam placed me on the exact timeline I tried to avoid. NOW I see that the timeline was purposeful.
The City rarely hires new attorneys, but I sought them out at exactly the right time. My job is way more aligned to the quality of life I desire than the job I lost. I work with people who are great mentors and enjoyable people. The timing is literally God-ordained.
This process has taught me new levels of resilience. This process has taught me to look internally at my value. My worth is not in my accomplishments nor the pedastal people placed me on. I have learned so much about myself from this “failure.” The most important lesson is that its only a failure if you stay down.
I am excited to share my story and encourage as many people as I can to see how our “failures” open the door to a beautiful opportunity to learn and grow.
Your Interesting Fact: Growing up I wanted to be a teacher or a lawyer and I’m blessed to say I’ve done both.
How Many Times ? : 1
Neena the L.A.S.T. Brand LLC has my permission to share my story on their YouTube channel as a part of Video Series in perpetuity and with my express consent.