University of Richmond Law Graduates Pass Bar With Largest Margins in Recent History

January 22, 2003

Graduates of the University of Richmond School of Law who took the Virginia bar exam last July succeeded at a significantly higher rate than test-takers statewide.

Richmond's pass rate was 80 percent compared with the overall success rate of 70 percent. The 10 percent margin is the largest since 1983, when Richmond students beat the overall rate by 13.3 percent.

First-time test takers from Richmond also scored a noteworthy success. The statewide rate for first timers who received their degrees from ABA-accredited law schools was 77 percent. Richmond's rate was 86.4 percent. This 9.4 percent margin was the second greatest for the law school's graduates since 1983 when it was 11 percent. The first-time pass rate for the top three quarters of the graduating class was a near-perfect 97.4 percent.

Law Dean John R. Pagan gives much of the credit to the law school's new Academic Success Program, which is directed by Emmeline Paulette Reeves. This voluntary program is designed to enhance students' academic skills while preparing them for the bar examination. It includes seminars and one-on-one tutorials.

"Virginia has one of the most competitive markets for legal education in the nation, and it is gratifying indeed to see our students thrive in this environment," said Pagan.