McGeorge School Of Law Tops In Bar Pass Rate For Third Consecutive Year

The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law has made an impressive mark on the California bar exam once again. For the third year in a row, McGeorge graduates have achieved either the first or second-highest pass rates among first-time test-takers from American Bar Association-accredited law schools in the state.
In the February 2023 bar exam, McGeorge and Loyola Law School tied for the top spot in the state with a remarkable 59% pass rate for first-time test-takers. This is notably higher than the 49% average for graduates from accredited California schools, and significantly surpasses the overall pass rate of 32.5%.

Lindsay Harrington, the director of bar support and assistant professor of law at McGeorge, expressed her admiration for the students, stating, "Every single one of them inspired me this winter with their dedication, determination, and overall positive attitudes."

A standout feature of McGeorge's education is its Accelerated Honors Program - the only one of its kind in the nation. Graduates from this program not only saved a semester's worth of expenses but also maintained a stellar 100% bar exam pass rate for first-time test-takers. Tom Salazar ’22, a program alumnus and valedictorian, credited the program for his success in the bar exam, attributing it to the practical experience he gained from his honors externship.

The Accelerated Honors Program, founded in 2018, offers its students an opportunity to obtain their law licenses six months earlier than their counterparts in traditional three-year programs. Designed by Professor Emeritus Dorothy Landsberg and then-Associate Dean Michael Colatrella, it allows students to dive deep into their studies with a rigorous course load and externship experiences funded by McGeorge, providing invaluable real-world experience.

But the bar exam achievement isn't McGeorge's only claim to fame. The law school boasts a slew of accolades: it was ranked ninth in the nation for its trial advocacy program by U.S. News & World Report, and has received national acclaim in various other disciplines. Furthermore, preLaw Magazine lauded McGeorge School of Law for its strength in public policy and government law, and it was also heralded as the 14th most diverse law school in the country.

For more on this story check out the Pacific Newsroom.