Gifts for Any Budget for the Bar Exam Taker in Your Life

Gifts for Any Budget for the Bar Exam Taker in Your Life

Ask anyone sitting for the bar exam, and they will tell you it is one of the most stressful and challenging experiences of their life.  The bar exam can feel like a pressure cooker, and every recent law school graduate is hopeful that they can pass so they can move on with their career.  Test takers likely put in 400 or more hours of study time for this test alone.  Whether it takes one attempt or more, when the exam results show a PASS, there is no greater feeling in the world for new attorneys (especially after several months of worrying and waiting for the test results). Passing the bar is a massive accomplishment for the exam taker in your life, and it deserves a celebration.  Every law student and attorney is different, but some classic bar exam gifts never go out of style.

Gifts for Any Budget for the Bar Exam Taker in Your Life

JD Advising has curated a list of bar exam gifts to give to the new attorney in your life.  Whether they are a relative, a coworker, a law school colleague, or a friend, the items below will remind them of their significant accomplishments.  The following gifts range from traditional to humorous. Hopefully, you will find something that works for your accomplished loved one.  We selected an array of gifts that fit every budget and style which you can read more about below. (Commission earned when you click on the link. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.) 

Gifts Under $25

Not all great gifts have to cost a fortune.  Law school is expensive, but gifts for your friends and loved ones can say a lot with just a little.  Bar exam passers will be proud to wear a tee shirt or sip coffee from their “greatest lawyer” coffee mugs.  When I was a law student, a colleague got me a coffee mug that read “First the coffee, then the justice.” You can bet I used that coffee mug every day, and it was visible on zoom sessions as well.  The gift wasn’t expensive, but it made me proud to be a law student!

Here are some links to some other fun and affordable gifts that will make your attorney friends proud:

See You Later Litigator – Cute Coffee Mug for Lawyers –  Do you know a newly licensed attorney? Do you know any litigators?  Who doesn’t love a cute coffee mug with a pun to boot! Associate attorneys (especially litigators) are likely working long hours and catching up on sleep only when they can.  Coffee quickly becomes the beverage of choice for the sleep-deprived, making great coffee mugs always appreciated!   You can pair this gift with a bag of coffee or a box of tea, too.

Funny Lawyer Whiskey Glasses – These are fantastic and funny tumblers that will look good in a house, apartment, or office.  They are also great talking pieces for a party to celebrate passing the bar and can be used throughout an attorney’s career.  Who doesn’t like to clink some glasses after a successful day in court or toast to a favorable settlement? You can also pair this gift with a bottle of your friend’s favorite spirit.

Lady Justice – Stemless Wine Glass – This single (and versatile!) glass would also look great as a pair for the lady lawyers in your life.  Not only will this glass be a beautiful addition to any perosn’s collection, it also serves as a great reminder of her accomplishments.  You can throw in a nice bottle of wine to complete the gift!

She Believed She Could, So She Did Keychain – This is something small but thoughtful that bar passers and recent law school graduates can take with them wherever they go.  Success in law school and on the bar exam is a huge mental feat and takes a lot of willpower.  The phrase on this keychain is a testament to that.

Lawyer’s Prayer Wood Sign 8 x 10 Navy Wooden Hanging Plaque – This affordable version of the lawyer’s prayer is a thoughtful gift for spiritual and religious attorneys. It is a lovely reminder that lawyering is about advocating for those in need of counsel.

Magnetic Poetry – Lawyer Poet Kit – Words for Refrigerator – This funny gift is always a hit at parties!  Attorneys love wordplay and this gift doubles as a game and an exercise against writer’s block.  Who knows who will come up with the cleverest phrase using this poetry which is filled with legal terminology!

Gifts $25 – $50

These gifts include some staples for attorneys and professionals, such as briefcases and portfolios, as well as more unique gifts for those who already have the essentials.  Some of these gifts are practical, but others are professional decorative pieces that will make your attorney’s office really stand out.  Read on for some additional gifts in this price range!

Laptop Tote Bag for Women, Large Waterproof PU Leather Work Briefcase with USB Charging Port – A useful and attractive work briefcase will serve an attorney well as they are going from the office to the courtroom.  This laptop bag includes a special port for charging a cellphone.  Attorneys can sometimes use cell phones in court to check calendars and messages.  Additionally, court appearances are sometimes virtual, so having charged devices is a must!

Waterproof Lightweight Leather Laptop Tote Bag (multiple colors!) – This cute tote looks professional and comes in many colors.  You can choose your friend’s favorite color or their school’s colors!

Restin’ Up for Lawyering Blanket  – Maybe your friend or family member needs a cozy blanket to relax with after surviving such a stressful exam! This blanket will also be a favorite for watching movies and TV after a long workday.

Etching: A Lawyer’s Prayer Engraved on 8″ by 10″ Red Alder – This is a beautiful version of the lawyer’s prayer for the religious or spiritual attorney.

Greek Goddess Themis Statue  – Many law offices and attorney desks have a version of the Greek goddess of justice, and it makes a classic gift.  Her name was Themis, and she was the personification of justice, a goddess of wisdom and good counsel, and also the interpreter of the gods’ will.

Lawyer Collectible Handmade Metal Art Figurine – This funky and cool little item is definitely a unique decoration for an attorney’s desk or bookshelf!  Something handmade and different will stand out among the gifts that the bar passer in your life receives.  An item such as this figurine will leave a memorable impression on the recipient for being so adorable and different.

Vintage Style Metal Scales Display Tray – Scales are another classic symbol in the law.  This is a lovely gift for attorneys decorating their office or desk. The Scales of Justice represent fairness in court cases and weighing the evidence of both sides.  This would also be a great item for judicial law clerks!

Black’s Law Dictionary, 11th Edition – This hardcover book (useful for attorneys and law students alike) will look prestigious on a desk or bookshelf! Black’s Law Dictionary is a comprehensive, scholarly and authoritative law dictionary and defines more than 55,000 law-related words and phrases as well as records their historical and present-day nuances.  Black’s Law Dictionary is described as “the most widely cited law book in the world is a must-have for legal bookshelves.”  Every law student used it in law school and every attorney’s office needs one.

Scales of Justice Crystal Award – This is a customizable crystal gift that will be a lovely keepsake for lawyers.  This item can also be personalized to make it a bit more unique. This can also be a good gift to give someone at any stage of their legal career – be it graduation, passing, the bar, finishing a judicial clerkship, or accepting a new position at a law firm.

Traditional Bankers Lamp – this style lamp is over 100 years old and garnered appeal in the 1930s.  Its style is popular with bankers and lawyers, who often work late at night (the shade reduces strain on eyesight).  This lamp is iconic and will look great on any attorney’s desk!

Gifts Over $100

These gifts include some beautiful, higher-end briefcases and other items for those who just passed the bar exam.  Perhaps you are searching for a gift for your child or mentee, or a close relative or sibling.  The list below will have something useful and lovely for them!

Genuine Leather Briefcase for Women / Laptop Tote  (multiple colors!) – A feminine briefcase is sometimes hard to find, but we like this one because it comes in a choice of many colors. Something like this can sometimes give an attorney a little boost of confidence when they walks into court or a job.  With a spot for a laptop, this briefcase can handle anything from getting into the office to the courtroom.

Genuine Leather Briefcase for Men / Laptop Bag (multiple colors!) – A more masculine version of the above, this leather briefcase comes in a choice of many colors. Your attorney will feel confident carrying this gift with them into court!

COACH Metropolitan Slim Brief  – This is a Coach briefcase with a masculine style and is more expensive, totaling in the $500 price range.

Levenger Ivy Tote – A feminine work bag can be a nice change from a more traditional briefcase style.  Some attorneys prefer a tote because it holds more items, such as notebooks, pens, laptops, and even bagged lunches.  This is a roomy leather tote bag that will look great with professional attire.

Personalized Desk Name Plate, Clock, and Business Card Holder – This is a functional and professional touch for a lawyer’s office.  Having business cards within reach is convenient for potential clients and colleagues.  Additionally, the clock gives this piece a sophisticated, official look.

Some of the gifts I received when I accomplished milestones in my legal career also include a desktop clock, a statute of a female attorney, a nameplate for my desk, and an embroidered sign with my initials and the scales of justice.  Other common gifts include frames for awards and diplomas, just to name a few.  All are great ideas for a bar exam passer!

Hopefully, the list above offers something memorable and beautiful in your price range.  Are you looking to purchase for someone preparing to take the bar exam?  Check out our blog post on bar exam gifts!

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