La Verne Law Grads Bucking State, National Trends With Impressive First-Time Pass Rate

Despite the national and statewide trend of declining bar pass rates, the University of La La Verne College of Law first time bar takers continue to perform significantly above the California ABA average. At 67 percent, La Verne ranked 13 points higher than California ABA first-time bar takers (54 percent). On the national front, it also surpasses out-of-state ABA first-time bar takers by 26 points (41 percent). In 2014, the College of Law’s first-time bar pass rate was 7 points above the first-time pass rate for all graduates from ABA law schools.

“I am exceedingly proud of the effort and commitment of our graduates and of the faculty, staff and administrators at the College of Law,” said La Verne Law Dean Gilbert Holmes. “These bar pass results stem from our collective focus on success.”

One major factor involved in the success of La Verne Law graduates in passing the bar has been the resources the law school has provided through its Center for Academic & Bar Readiness (CABR). Its customized post-graduation bar review – the Bar Exam Strategic Training (BEST) Program – is available to La Verne Law students at no additional charge.

According to Assistant Dean for CABR Jendayi Saada, La Verne Law’s pass rates are strongly correlated with the level of participation and engagement in BEST by its graduates.

“These bar results for La Verne College of Law are indicative of the skills, abilities, and commitment of our students,” said Saada. “The results show that even in the face of declining bar pass rates across the state and country, La Verne students will rise to the top.”