Learn more from this report: Law School ROI Report: Expected Net Lifetime Income of U.S. Law School Graduates

Major Gaps in Long-Term Earnings

According to the study, graduates from top 20 law schools see significantly higher earnings early in their careers—typically between $116,800 and $253,800 four years after graduation, even after accounting for student loan payments. Over a 40-year career, these earnings can compound into millions more than graduates from lower-ranked institutions.

The report underscores that career choice is just as crucial as school ranking. Those entering BigLaw or corporate practice often experience the highest lifetime returns, while graduates pursuing public interest or government roles tend to earn substantially less over their careers. Despite higher tuition costs, elite law schools often produce stronger debt-to-income ratios due to better job placement in high-paying positions.

Gender and Racial Disparities Persist

The report also highlights that demographic disparities continue to shape long-term income outcomes. Women and underrepresented minorities earn less over their careers compared to their male and non-minority peers. These differences often appear within the first few years post-graduation and expand over time due to slower advancement rates and uneven access to top-paying roles.

Research and Methodology

The study draws from data compiled by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics, NALP employment surveys, and ABA career summaries. Using this data, researchers estimated income growth, debt payments, and opportunity costs over a standard 40-year professional career.

To calculate return on investment (ROI), the report subtracted the cost of education—including tuition, living expenses, and lost wages during law school—from projected lifetime earnings. This analysis provides a realistic picture of the long-term value of a legal education at each school.

Top Performers and Lowest Returns

Law schools such as Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Penn, and Chicago ranked at the top, with graduates expected to earn $11 million to $12.5 million in lifetime net income. Conversely, some lower-ranked programs project lifetime earnings closer to $3–4 million, reflecting limited access to high-paying positions and heavier debt loads.

Why This Matters

For prospective law students, this report offers valuable insights for evaluating whether law school is a sound financial investment. The results make it clear that school selection, career path, and debt management play critical roles in long-term financial success.

Aspiring attorneys are encouraged to research carefully, compare ROI data, and plan strategically before committing to a legal education that can define their future both professionally and financially.

Learn more from this report: Law School ROI Report: Expected Net Lifetime Income of U.S. Law School Graduates

The post New Report Reveals Lifetime Income Differences Among U.S. Law School Graduates first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Introduction: Legal Dreams Put on Ice

President Donald Trump’s sweeping federal hiring freeze has sent shockwaves through the legal community. The order, part of a broader attempt to reshape the federal government, has abruptly halted over 2,000 legal hiring tracks, including summer internships and prestigious federal honors program offers. Law students and recent graduates now face sudden derailment of carefully laid career plans as they enter one of the most competitive job markets in decades.

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The Scope of the Freeze: Who’s Affected and How

Trump’s executive order includes immediate suspensions of non-military federal hiring, cutting across agencies such as:

• Department of Justice (DOJ)
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

For law students, this means revoked offers from programs like the DOJ’s Honors Program, the SEC’s Summer Honors Intern Program, and similar highly coveted roles that often lead to full-time government employment.

“I had a dream job offer at the DOJ rescinded without warning,” said one second-year law student. “I spent my entire law school career working toward this path.”

A Ripple Effect Across the Legal Education Pipeline

The freeze hasn’t just affected students and recent graduates—it’s disrupted entire hiring ecosystems. Law schools are scrambling to rework placement strategies. Career counselors are helping students pivot to the private sector, clerkships, or public interest fellowships.

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Consequences for Law Schools:

• Loss of federal employment stats impacts U.S. News rankings
• Delayed graduate employment rates
• Strain on in-house legal clinics and externship programs

For Students:

• Increased competition for a shrinking pool of private sector jobs
• Urgent need to reassess practice areas and job targets
• Psychological stress and financial uncertainty

Long-Term Implications for Legal Careers

While federal hiring freezes have occurred under past administrations, this one is unusually broad and abrupt. Legal analysts warn of lasting damage to the perception of public service law careers.

Potential Long-Term Effects:

• Shrinking talent pipeline for federal agencies
• Loss of diversity, as many first-gen and public interest-focused students rely on federal entry points
• Shift in legal education focus from public law to commercial practice

Government employers may also struggle to retain relevance among top law students, who now perceive these paths as less stable.

How Law Students Can Pivot Strategically

Though the federal hiring freeze is a blow, students still have multiple ways to recalibrate:

1. Target State and Local Government Roles

Many state and municipal agencies remain active in hiring and can offer similar legal experience.

2. Expand into Private Practice

Boutique firms and midsize firms are increasing hiring in niche areas like data privacy, ESG compliance, and white-collar defense.

3. Pursue Judicial Clerkships

Clerkships, especially with state courts or magistrates, offer foundational experience and impressive credentials.

4. Apply for Bridge Fellowships

Some law schools are offering short-term public interest fellowships to cover gaps left by rescinded federal opportunities.

5. Consider In-House Legal Internships

Companies are expanding compliance and legal ops roles, especially in heavily regulated industries like healthcare, fintech, and AI.

What Law Schools Are Doing to Help

Top law schools have launched emergency response initiatives:

• Harvard Law School’s Office of Career Services launched a “Federal Freeze Resource Hub”
• Georgetown Law’s Career Center is holding “Pivot Planning” bootcamps
• NYU and Michigan Law are in talks to create bridge fellowship stipends for affected students

“Our students shouldn’t have to bear the cost of political decisions beyond their control,” said one law dean.

The Political and Legal Response

Civil rights groups and legal organizations have called the freeze “discriminatory in effect,” arguing it disproportionately affects students of color and those from lower-income backgrounds. Some legal nonprofits are exploring litigation to challenge the hiring freeze’s legality under federal equal protection principles.

Conclusion: Crisis or Catalyst?

The federal hiring freeze may mark a turning point for the legal profession. While it disrupts the traditional federal entry path, it also exposes the need for more diversified legal career planning and resilience. For law students, the message is clear: The road may be shifting, but the journey continues—and new paths are opening.

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New Era for Legal Licensing in New York

New York announced on Wednesday that it will transition to a new version of the bar exam starting in July 2028. This updated test, known as the NextGen bar exam, was developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and represents a significant shift in how aspiring lawyers are assessed. The move aligns New York with 29 other states and jurisdictions that have already adopted the NextGen exam, which will begin its rollout in July 2026.

A Landmark Decision by the New York Court of Appeals

The New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest judicial authority, has approved the transition to the NextGen exam. With New York licensing approximately 14,000 new lawyers annually—more than any other jurisdiction—this decision is poised to have a broad impact on the legal community.

What Makes the NextGen Bar Exam Different?

The NextGen bar exam marks the first major overhaul of the national lawyer licensing test in 25 years. Its development began in 2021 with the goal of modernizing the assessment process. Unlike the current exam, which heavily emphasizes the memorization of laws, the NextGen test focuses on evaluating practical legal skills.

Key Features of the NextGen Exam:

• Streamlined Format: The new test eliminates the three separate components of the current exam—the Multistate Bar Exam (200 multiple-choice questions), the Multistate Essay Exam, and the Multistate Performance Test.
• Shorter Duration: The test will take nine hours to complete, compared to the current 12-hour format.
• Digital Administration: The exam will be conducted entirely on computers, enhancing accessibility and convenience.
• Score Portability: Candidates’ scores can be transferred for bar admission in other states, though individual states will continue to determine their own passing scores.

Timeline for Implementation

States have the flexibility to adopt the NextGen exam between July 2026 and July 2028. The NCBE will phase out the current bar exam after the February 2028 administration. New York’s decision to begin using the NextGen test in July 2028 places it among nine states, including Florida and Virginia, adopting the new exam on the same timeline.

States Opting for Alternative Paths

While the majority of states have embraced the NextGen exam, California and Nevada have opted for alternative approaches:

• California: Developing a state-specific bar exam based on the current test, which will debut in February 2028 and can be administered remotely.
• Nevada: Creating a new lawyer licensing process that includes supervised practice as a key component.

A New York-Specific Component in Development

In conjunction with adopting the NextGen exam, the New York Court of Appeals has established a committee to explore the addition of a New York-specific component. This initiative aims to ensure that new lawyers are well-versed in state-specific legal principles and practices.

What’s Next for Aspiring Lawyers?

The adoption of the NextGen exam signifies a transformative step in the legal profession, emphasizing skills over rote memorization. For the thousands of law school graduates who sit for New York’s bar exam each year, the new format promises a more streamlined and practical assessment process. As other states join the transition, the NextGen bar exam is set to become a national standard for legal licensing.

The post New York to Adopt Revamped Bar Exam by 2028 first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

The Bar Exam Remains the Sole Pathway for New Lawyers in California

In a ruling on Thursday, the California Supreme Court reaffirmed that the traditional bar exam will remain the only avenue for licensing new attorneys in the state. The decision comes after the court rejected a proposed alternative pathway, which would have allowed law school graduates to become licensed by working under the supervision of experienced attorneys and submitting a portfolio of legal work for evaluation.

The Proposed Portfolio Bar Exam

The alternative, known as the Portfolio Bar Exam, would have required applicants to work with real clients under an experienced attorney for four to six months, culminating in the submission of a portfolio of legal work. This method was seen as a hands-on approach to evaluating an applicant’s competence. However, the Supreme Court raised concerns about the ethical and practical challenges such a program could present.

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In its order, the court highlighted that the proposed portfolio approach would create issues with fairness, validity, and reliability in assessing an applicant’s qualifications. It argued that the quality of supervision would vary, meaning some candidates might benefit from more experienced or committed mentors, leading to unequal opportunities for success.

Concerns Over Fairness and Public Protection

The State Bar of California’s board of trustees had backed the Portfolio Bar Exam in November, despite objections from public commenters who believed it would weaken the standards required to become a licensed attorney. Opponents argued that the program could erode public protections by reducing the rigor of the attorney licensure process. Concerns were also raised that supervisors’ differing levels of engagement could unfairly impact the quality of portfolios submitted by candidates.

Disappointment from Advocates of the Program

Susan Smith Bakhshian, a Loyola Law School professor who played a key role in developing the Portfolio Bar Exam, expressed her disappointment with the court’s decision. She noted that the program could have been an opportunity to improve the attorney licensure process while also enhancing public protection.

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Growing Trend Toward Alternative Licensing Pathways

Advocates of alternative licensure pathways argue that such programs could help address gaps in access to legal services, especially in underserved communities. They also believe that these alternatives can address racial disparities in bar exam pass rates, reduce the financial burden on law school graduates, and more accurately reflect the practical skills required for success in the legal profession.

Had the California Supreme Court approved the Portfolio Bar Exam, California would have become the largest jurisdiction to implement an alternative to the traditional bar exam. This move would have followed similar initiatives in other states, signaling a growing trend toward alternative licensing pathways in the U.S.

Other States Adopting Apprenticeship Pathways

In 2023, Oregon adopted an apprenticeship pathway for law graduates, allowing them to bypass the bar exam altogether. Similarly, Washington followed suit in March, introducing both an apprenticeship option and a skills-based coursework pathway that also avoids the bar exam. Meanwhile, high courts in Minnesota and Utah are considering proposals to introduce bar exam alternatives in their jurisdictions.

The American Bar Association’s Evolving Stance

The American Bar Association (ABA) has historically been a strong proponent of the bar exam as the gold standard for attorney licensure. However, in May 2023, the ABA’s legal education arm softened its stance, endorsing the exploration of alternative pathways to licensure.

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The July 2024 bar exam is shaping up to be a positive one for test-takers, with pass rates trending upward across many states. With more than half of U.S. states reporting their results by early October, the majority are showing improvements in overall pass rates compared to July 2023. This surge in success is promising for both recent law graduates and legal employers seeking fresh talent in the field.

Pass Rates Trending Up in Most States

As of Friday, 18 out of 26 states that reported their bar exam results showed higher pass rates than in July 2023. Notably, ten states experienced significant gains, with increases of five percentage points or more. Six states, however, saw a decline in pass rates, although these drops were relatively small. Two states reported no change from last year’s pass rate.

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Major States Yet to Report

Among the largest states for bar exam takers, New York, California, Texas, and Illinois have not yet released their July 2024 bar exam results. Florida, which ranks third after New York and California in terms of exam takers, is the only large state to report its results thus far. Florida’s overall pass rate rose from 61% in 2023 to 65% this year, contributing to the positive nationwide trend.

National Bar Exam Performance at a High

The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) provided encouraging national data for the July 2024 bar exam. According to the NCBE, the average national score on the multiple-choice portion of the two-day attorney licensing exam (Multistate Bar Examination or MBE) increased to 141.8—1.3 points higher than in July 2023. This is the highest average score recorded since 2013, excluding the modified bar exam administered in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Factors Driving the Increase

The NCBE attributes the improvement in bar exam performance to several factors, including the size and academic strength of the law school class of 2021. Law school applications surged by 13% that year, driven in part by the pandemic. This increase allowed law schools to be more selective, admitting candidates with stronger academic credentials, which may have contributed to the higher bar pass rates this year.

Standout States with Significant Gains

Several states reported impressive gains in their pass rates. Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Nebraska each saw their overall pass rates increase by nine percentage points, while Mississippi’s rate climbed by seven percentage points. Meanwhile, Maine and Colorado both reported a six-percentage-point improvement in their pass rates.

States with Notable Declines

Despite the overall trend of improvement, a few states saw declines. Vermont’s pass rate dropped from 58% in July 2023 to 53% this year, while Utah saw its pass rate dip from 92% to 88%. Both Vermont and Utah had relatively small pools of test-takers—49 in Vermont and 336 in Utah—which may have contributed to the variability in their results.

Upcoming Results for Key States

Results from several major states are still pending. New York is expected to release its results by the end of October, while California will announce its results on November 8. Texas may release its results as soon as the upcoming Monday, keeping test-takers on edge as they await the outcome.

Conclusion

The upward trend in bar exam pass rates for July 2024 is a welcome development for aspiring lawyers and the legal industry. With key states like New York and California still to report, it remains to be seen how the final national numbers will shape up. Nonetheless, the early indicators point to a strong year for bar exam takers, marking a positive shift for the future of the legal profession.

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In 2023, new law school graduates entered the job market with unprecedented success. According to the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), employment rates and salaries reached record highs.

Cooling Job Market for Future Graduates

Despite the strong performance of the class of 2023, NALP officials caution that subsequent classes may not replicate these achievements. The once red-hot market for lawyer talent in 2022 and early 2023 has started to cool, with law firms reducing new associate recruiting efforts.

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Impact of Previous Hiring Spree

Many 2023 graduates secured positions during the competitive hiring spree of 2021 and 2022. During this period, law firms fiercely competed for new associates and lateral hires, driving starting associate pay from $205,000 to $215,000 at many large firms. Multiple bonuses were also offered to retain associates.

Decline in Recruitment Activity

However, law firm recruiting reached an 11-year low in the fall of 2023. Firms extended fewer summer associate offers, reflecting lower demand for transactional practices. The average number of offers decreased from 28 in 2022 to 22 in 2023, with a 19% overall reduction in summer associate offers.

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Implications for Future Employment

The reduction in summer associate positions in 2023 suggests that fewer law students will be hired for full-time positions upon graduation in 2025. Additionally, the class of 2024, which is 12% larger than its predecessor, will face increased competition for jobs, potentially leading to lower employment rates.

Employment Statistics for the Class of 2023

Among 2023 law graduates, 92.6% secured jobs within ten months of graduation, the highest rate since NALP began tracking this data in 1974. Over 82% of these graduates found positions requiring bar passage, while the unemployment rate dropped to 5.8%, the lowest since 2007.

Record-High Salaries for New Graduates

The national median salary for new law graduates reached an all-time high of $90,000 in 2023, up from $85,000 in 2022. For those in private practice, the median salary increased from $150,000 to $165,000.

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Law school graduates from certain institutions face a significant challenge in repaying student debt, as revealed by a recent study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Four years post-graduation, many lawyers find their earnings heavily impacted by student loan repayments, with particularly stark contrasts between top-tier and low-tier law schools.

The Earnings Divide: Top vs. Bottom Law Schools

The study highlights a considerable disparity in post-graduation earnings among different law schools. At the higher end, graduates from 26 law schools reported median earnings of at least $100,000 annually, even after accounting for student debt. In stark contrast, graduates from 33 law schools earned less than $55,000 annually after four years, net of student debt.

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Top Performers: Law Schools with High Earnings

Graduates from the following institutions achieved the highest net earnings four years after graduation:

• Columbia University: $253,800
• The University of Pennsylvania: $238,000
• The University of Chicago: $230,700
• Cornell University: $227,100
• Stanford University: $227,100 (slightly lower than Cornell before debt)
• Harvard University: $220,900
• Northwestern University: $206,700

Struggling Schools: Law Schools with Lowest Earnings

On the opposite end of the spectrum, graduates from the following schools reported median earnings below $40,000:

• The Appalachian School of Law: $35,600
• Faulkner University: $35,200
• The Thomas M. Cooley Law School: $33,200
• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School: $32,100
• The Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Law: $29,000
• Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico: $22,000

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The Debt Burden

The study indicates that law school graduates’ median debt burden is $118,500. This considerable debt level exacerbates the financial challenges faced by graduates from lower-ranked institutions.

Conclusion

The findings from Georgetown University’s study underscore the importance of carefully considering the return on investment when choosing a law school. While top-tier institutions offer significant financial rewards, graduates from many lower-ranked schools struggle with substantial debt and relatively low earnings.

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On July 27, 2023, a significant development took place in the Nevada legal landscape, as the Nevada Supreme Court received a petition in ADKT 611, urging the court to consider adopting the proposed Nevada Supreme Court Rule 49.5. Spearheaded by Associate Chief Justice Elissa Cadish, the petition proposes a groundbreaking rule that would grant law school graduates, who have not yet passed the Nevada Bar Exam, the opportunity to practice law under limited circumstances while being closely supervised by organized legal services programs.

The driving force behind this proposal lies in the dire need to provide access to legal assistance for indigent citizens of Nevada. Recognizing the vital importance of enhancing access to justice, the petition argues that the current legal aid providers are faced with considerable challenges in recruiting qualified candidates, given the highly competitive and well-paid legal market in the state. Consequently, there is a significant gap between the demand for legal services and the resources available to cater to those needs.

The proposed SCR 49.5 aims to address this issue by creating a framework that allows law school graduates to assist individuals with legal matters, providing much-needed support to a greater number of Nevadans who require legal aid. The petition emphasizes that virtually any person facing a legal issue can benefit from the guidance and expertise of someone with a formal legal education, rather than having to navigate complex legal matters alone.

One of the primary objectives of adopting this rule is to establish a robust pipeline for legal aid providers, encouraging aspiring lawyers to pursue careers in public interest law, without facing financial constraints. By offering limited licensure under the supervision of established legal services programs, law school graduates can gain valuable experience while contributing meaningfully to the provision of legal aid.

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In addition to the proposed language for SCR 49.5, the ADKT includes Exhibit B, which outlines a comprehensive application for certification of limited licensure. This exhibit presents a well-structured framework for implementing the proposed rule effectively.

This progressive initiative has received approval for consideration by the Nevada Supreme Court from the Access to Justice Commission, further highlighting its potential significance in bolstering access to justice for underserved communities in the state. As the legal community eagerly awaits the court’s decision on the matter, the proposal represents a hopeful step towards expanding legal assistance and bridging the gap between the legal needs of Nevada citizens and the resources available to meet those needs.

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Summary: Brooklyn Law School gave out their Alumni of the Year and Rising Star awards for 2018.

Brooklyn Law School gives an Alumni of the Year and Rising Star award each year. They recently announced their recipients for 2018, which will be presented at a luncheon at the Mandarin Oriental, New York, according to PR Newswire.

The luncheon to be held February 2 will distinguish graduates who exemplify the school’s history of service and excellence, as well as demonstrate a commitment to their professions, communities and the law school.

The Alumni of the Year are Allen J. Grubman, class of 1967, and Hannah Cao, class of 2003. Grubman is a partner at Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C. Cao is the general counsel for China’s Silk Road Fund. The Law School’s Rising Star award went to Andrew Rausa, class of 2013. He is the lead advertising and privacy counsel for Facebook.

Dean Nick Allard said, “Each of these honorees is a shining example of the best of Brooklyn Law School – world-class lawyers who are tremendous leaders in their respective fields, widely admired for their expertise and achievements and advancing the Law School’s purpose of using the power of law to make a positive difference.”

Grubman’s law firm started out as a music law firm but has since been expanding into all areas of entertainment law over the past twenty years. The firm is now one of the largest entertainment law firms in the world. Grubman has been a big part of this development and has had a major role in many of the top entertainment business deals in the past four decades.

He said, “Brooklyn Law School opened up a whole new world to me, and gave me the opportunity to have a life through the practice of entertainment law that I could never have dreamed of. Being honored as one of the alumni of the year is the icing on the cake. I feel that I have come full circle – it is recognition that I’ve reached a pinnacle in the legal and media community that I consider very important – and I try to give back as much as I can for the opportunity it afforded me.”

Cao joined China’s Silk Road Fund in 2015 and is now the General Counsel. Asian Legal Business has named her one of the top 15 General Counsels in China for 2016 and 2017. The Silk Road Fund is a medium- to long-term investment fund in Beijing, boasting capital of $40 billion and $15 billion. While at Brooklyn Law, she was an International Business Law fellow and the executive articles editor of the Brooklyn Journal of International Law. She was also involved in the Safe Harbor Project.

She said, “Brooklyn Law School was transformational for me. It instilled a belief in the value of the legal profession that continues to guide me through my career to this day. I am thrilled and humbled to be recognized as one of the Alumni of the Year. I view this honor not just as recognition of my own accomplishments, but as a celebration of all Brooklyn Law School graduates’ commitment to using the power of law to benefit our local, national, and global communities.”

Rausa was the Corporate Counsel for Undertone, a New York-based digital advertising company, right out of law school. In 2015, he assisted in the sale of Undertone and was soon after recruited by Facebook. He now works from Facebook’s California headquarters in Menlo Park. Just a year after joining the social media company, he was promoted to Lead Advertising & Privacy Counsel.

Rausa said, “My time at Brooklyn Law School was invaluable in arming me with the skills necessary to tackle the complex and unprecedented issues that I work on at Facebook. Brooklyn Law’s excellent clinical education, namely the Brooklyn Law Incubator & Policy clinic, combined with the proximity of the school to New York City’s robust tech scene, allowed me to get hands-on experience working with early-stage tech companies.”

Do awards like these that highlight the accomplishments of their graduates make you think more highly of the law schools? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

To learn more about Brooklyn Law School, read these articles:

• Brooklyn Law School To Accept GRE for Fall 2018
• Brooklyn Law School Repays Debt for Jobless Students
• Brooklyn Law School Defends Itself after Low Bar Passage Rates Reported

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

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Summary: The bar exam results from February’s test in California kept the same trend of July being higher, but the low results are still disheartening.

California’s February bar exam results are now available for all to see. What there is to see may be surprising to some. A wide range in pass rates appeared among the golden state’s American Bar Association-accredited law schools.

UCLA and Loyola law schools took demand of the results, posting a 65 percent passage rate in the category of law schools with at least 11 students taking the exam. Results from schools that have less than 11 students taking the exam are not released in order to protect the identity of those students.

Coming in at the bottom of ABA-accredited law schools was the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. They had 81 of their graduates take the exam, only 25 passed – that is a 32 percent passage rate.  The overall rate for the exam this go-around was 34.5 percent, which they just barely missed.

Two non-ABA-accredited law schools were able to beat the overall rate. San Joaquin College of Law was able to reach a 36 percent while Santa Barbara College of Law obtained a 40 percent passage rate.

The February exam results tend to be lower than the July results, often because the people taking the test in the spring have already attempted it once. July is when most graduates attempt the bar for the first time with a greater amount of them passing.

With such lower rates and disparity among law schools, the criticism over California’s test will likely increase. Law schools deans, lawmakers and state bar officials have been forced to handle the growing scrutiny.

UC Hastings was able to beat the overall rate with a 48 percent passing score. Their dean, David Faigman, explained how the school has addressed lower scores in the past, especially the July 2016 results. Exam preparation programs for graduates were paid for by the school and they brought in alumni to help test-takers. They are also moving to make bar exam prep part of the curriculum, but Faigman is apprehensive about taking too much time away from teaching what matters. “It’s the right direction to be going in,” Faigman said. However, “It presents the danger of taking time away from teaching students how to be good lawyers so they can be better test-takers.”

Faigman and a number of other deans are asking state bar officials to take a look at the exam to determine if there are parts of it that need improvement. In the meantime, they would like to see the passing score lowered. The state Supreme Court refuses to lower the score for a temporary amount of time but has given the bar the opportunity to return with recommendations for other changes by the end of the year. The bar association is conducting studies on the exam to see if a solution can be made.

Here is a quick look at the rates for all the schools, both ABA-accredited and not:

California Western School of Law – 44 percent

Concord University School of Law – 9 percent

Golden Gate University – 36 percent

Humphreys College Laurence Drivon School of Law – 10 percent

Loyola Law School – Los Angeles – 65 percent

McGeorge School of Law – 32 percent

Monterey College of Law – 21 percent

Northwestern California University – 13 percent

Pacific Coast University – 11 percent

Pepperdine University – 53 percent

San Joaquin College of Law – 36 percent

Santa Barbara College of Law – 40 percent

Santa Clara University – 54 percent

Southwestern Law School – 41 percent

Thomas Jefferson School of Law – 29 percent

Trinity Law School – 12 percent

University of California – Los Angeles – 65 percent

University of San Diego – 53 percent

University of San Francisco – 52 percent

University of California Hastings College – 48 percent

University of W. LA-San Fernando Valley – 19 percent

Western State University – 46 percent

Are there any results that surprised you? Tell us about it in the comments below.

To learn more about bar exam results, read these articles:

• Arizona Summit Posts Improved Bar Exam Passage Rate
• February 2017 California Bar Exam Results–Almost 2/3 of Applicants Failed
• New York Releases February 2017 Bar Exam Results

Photo: flickr.com

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