Town Hall – Tennessee Bar Results

By now, I expect many of you have reviewed the results of the July 2015 Tennessee Bar Examination.  For those who have not, the Tennessee pass rate for all takers from all law schools was 64%, 2 points below last year’s pass rate of 66%, and 14 points below the July 2013 pass rate of 78%.  Memphis Law graduates passed at a rate of 69%, five points above the state average for all takers.

The results for graduates taking the bar examination for the first time are similar. For July 2015, first-time takers from all schools passed at a rate of 74%, as compared with last year’s pass rate of 72%.  First-time takers from Memphis Law passed at a rate of 75%, one point above the state average and 2 points above last year’s first-time pass rate of 73%.

Complete statistical information for the July 2015 bar exam is available here.

While Memphis Law graduates exceeded the state averages, this is NOT the standard by which we judge ourselves.  As a school, we have enjoyed a record of success on the bar exam that has been the envy of other law schools in the state.  We are committed to continuing that record of success and, even more importantly, we are committed to YOUR success.

Please join me for a “Town Hall Meeting” and lunch on Friday, October 16 at noon in Wade Auditorium.  I will discuss the bar results in more detail and outline the immediate steps we are considering – including a special bar preparation class for the spring semester — to ensure the classes of 2016, 2017 and 2018 (and beyond) enjoy the same high level of success for which Memphis Law has been traditionally known.

I look forward to meeting with you and welcome your thoughts and suggestions . . . before, during, and after Friday’s meeting.