Striking Back! FAMU Law’s first-try bar passage rate tops state average and UF’s

Once again, the FAMU College of Law has defied its critics. Its first-time passage rate on the February 2013 Florida Bar Exam exceeded the state average.  At 82.6 percent, the FAMU College of Law beat the state average of 80.2 percent. It also bested five of the eleven Florida schools reported including Florida Coastal, Nova Southeastern and the University of Florida.  The score also exceeded the combined passage rate of the non-Florida law schools.

“We are extremely pleased with the efforts of the administration, faculty and students of the FAMU College of Law,” said Larry Robinson, interim president of FAMU.  “This news could not have come at a better time.  The examination results clearly demonstrate that the right steps are being taken to ensure that our law students are prepared to enter their profession.  Congratulations to the FAMU College of Law.”

The 82.6 percent first-try passage rate represents a 17.1 point increase from the prior highest rate for the February Bar that was achieved a year ago at 65.5 percent.

“We are very proud of our recent graduates and we commend them for the dedication they have shown to achieve this milestone,” said LeRoy Pernell, College of Law Dean.  “These results are a testament to the excellent quality of our curriculum and academic support programs at the FAMU College of Law.”

Back in 2009, FAMU Law introduced a restructured Academic Success & Bar Preparation Program, currently directed by Professor Alicia Jackson. The Bar Exam Success Training (BEST) Program is a centerpiece of this initiative. According to FAMU Law’s website, BEST provides “individualized structure and support for FAMU graduates who are taking the bar exam. The program begins immediately after students graduate and continues to the bar examination.”

The history-making bar passers will return to the College of Law on Monday, April 22 to be sworn in during the college’s ninth Oath of Admission Ceremony in the Ceremonial Moot Courtroom.  The Oath of Attorney will be administered by the Honorable Belvin Perry Jr., Chief Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit.  The public event will begin at 6:30 p.m.