Stop Saying “Admissions”? Here’s the Better Way to Think About Rule 801(d)(2)
If you're taking Evidence or preparing for the bar exam, you've probably seen two different phrases that seem to describe the same concept: “admissions by a party-opponent” and “statements of an opposing party.” They refer to the same rule. The terminology changed in 2011 when the Federal Rules of Evidence were restyled, but the substance of Rule 801(d)(2) didn't change. Still, the new wording matters because it can help you think about the rule more accurately. Photo by Mar
Tommy Sangchompuphen
1 day ago2 min read
Bar Results Are Coming Out Faster
The National Conference of Bar Examiners is maintaining a running list of bar exam results , and so far, it has posted statistics for 19 jurisdictions from the February 2026 administration. That list is still developing. Some jurisdictions, like Indiana , have already released results but aren't yet reflected in the NCBE’s data. Even with that caveat, a clear trend is emerging: results are being released earlier. Source: https://www.ncbex.org/statistics-research/bar-exam-resu
Tommy Sangchompuphen
4 days ago2 min read
From Patrons to Professionals
The 2026 Masters is underway. If you’ve been watching the tournament, you may have noticed something unique. The people walking the grounds at Augusta National aren’t called spectators . They’re called patrons . That choice of words isn’t accidental. A patron isn’t just someone watching from the outside. A patron is part of the experience. A patron is someone who belongs, someone who carries themselves with a certain level of respect for the tradition and the moment. That su
Tommy Sangchompuphen
7 days ago2 min read
Don’t Get Fooled: What April Fool’s Day Teaches You About Intent on the Bar Exam
April 1 is supposed to be lighthearted. It's the one day of the year when people expect practical jokes, harmless pranks, and the occasional attempt to fool a friend, classmate, or coworker. But if you're studying for the bar exam, today also presents a useful reminder that a prank can raise serious legal issues. On the bar exam, the label “joke” doesn't control. The real question is whether the facts satisfy the elements of a tort or crime. A good way to think about April Fo
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Apr 13 min read
In the News, On the Bar Exam: Tiger, Testing, and Two Issues Hiding in the Headline
When news broke yesterday that Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover crash in Florida—with reports of breathalyzer testing and refusal to submit to additional testing—it immediately raised a pair of issues that can show up on the bar exam. Before we go any further, a quick disclaimer (because that’s what we do here): I’m not weighing in on what happened, whether any testing (or refusal) was justified, or how this situation should be resolved. I’m using the headline as a cle
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Mar 272 min read