What do porn stars and lawyers have in common? They both get paid by the hour to screw someone. Crass? Sure. But in light of a famous retired adult film star recently passing the Texas bar exam, maybe it’s a little too on the nose.
Asia Carrera, a former pornography actress who graduated from St. Mary’s Law in 2024, just cleared one of the most notoriously miserable hurdles in the legal profession. Carrera — whose real name is Jessica Steinhauser — previously missed passing by just two points, but was able to turn it around during the February 2026 exam. For what it’s worth, according to TMZ, she has no desire to work as a lawyer, she “just wanted to prove she could pass the bar.”
Here’s the celebratory post she made on Facebook after finding out the good news:
Opus 2 Steps Up Its AI Game With Acquisition Of A Legal Tech Startup
With the addition of Uncover’s technology, the litigation software is delivering rapid innovation.
Of course the jokes write themselves, but the comparison between lawyers and porn stars completely holds up. Both professions are built on performance, stamina, and the ability to deliver under pressure while someone else critiques your work. Both involve long hours, exacting clients, and a surprising amount of very specific positioning.
Still, credit where it’s due: passing the bar is no joke, no matter your background. If nothing else, Carrera’s pivot is a reminder that the most “nontraditional” candidates might just be the ones best equipped to handle a profession that already demands a little bit of everything.
Retired Porn Star Asia Carrera Passes Texas Bar to Become Attorney [TMZ]
Legal Is Changing. And NeoSummit Is Where The Future Is Being Built.
Legal and operational leaders are gathering May 6–7 in Fort Lauderdale to confront the questions the industry hasn't answered—with a keynote from Amanda Knox setting the tone.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.