Olga Krzyszton (LLM '23 | Poland)
Passing the bar exam and achieving personal bests, UC Davis LL.M. alumna Olga Krzyszton exemplifies that success is all about raising the bar. Originally from Nowy Sacz (near Krakow) Poland, Olga completed her first Master of Laws in Legal Practice at Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom, where she earned a sports scholarship for Olympic weightlifting.
Balancing the demanding schedule of a legal career with her passion for Olympic weightlifting requires strict time management and discipline. “I make sure to allocate specific times for training and stick to my schedule diligently. Daily and weekly planning for workload and nutrition is essential to maintain both my professional and personal commitments,” Olga explains. For her, maintaining her involvement in Olympic weightlifting has been a source of balance and fulfillment. “Engaging in activities outside of law can enhance your professional life and overall well-being,” she says.
Olga pursued an LL.M. degree in the United States with a clear goal in mind. “To deepen my understanding of U.S. law and to open up opportunities for practicing law in the United States, specifically in California.” One year after graduation, Olga achieved this goal by passing the California Bar.
Her journey to passing the bar exam was intense and demanding, but her LL.M. education and Olympic weightlifting training provided a solid foundation. The traits she honed through weightlifting—perseverance, focus, goal-setting, and achievement—directly translated to her bar exam preparation. Olga recalls the elation she felt when she passed the bar exam after all those days and nights of studying, “The moment I saw the 'Pass' score on my computer screen on results day was incredibly rewarding. It was a clear validation of the value of my LL.M. education.” Proving that the scales of justice and the scales of weights can both tip in your favor with hard work and discipline, Olga is a true testament to the power of perseverance and passion.
After passing the bar, Olga is starting a new journey as an Associate Attorney at The Dale Law Firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. In her role, she specializes in trust and estate litigation, focusing on estate planning, special needs trusts, and conservatorship.
Olga’s final piece of advice for those hoping to pass the bar exam is: “Start your preparation early and create a detailed study schedule to keep yourself on track. Utilize all available resources and practice time management skills during mock exams. Lastly, believe in your preparation and in yourself—you can do it!”