ASL’S BAR PASSAGE SUCCESS CONTINUES TO GROW
The bar passage success rate of ASL graduates continues to grow. The 94 graduates of ASL’s Class of 2004 took about ten different bar exams in July 2004, but a majority of graduates of that class took either the Virginia or the Tennessee bar exam. Of the 52 members of the Class of 2004 who took either the Virginia or Tennessee exam, 32 graduates, or 62%, passed the exam on the first attempt. Reliable information indicates that ASL’s passage rate in Tennessee exceeded not only the statewide average, but also bettered the pass rates of graduates of both the University of Tennessee and the University of Memphis. Bar passage rates in other states also continue to show positive trends. In July 2004, ASL graduates passed bar exams in West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.
ASL’s faculty has devoted a great deal of attention to the bar passage issue. ASL’s curriculum, with a high number of required courses in core subjects, is well geared towards ensuring graduates’ success on the bar exam. The faculty recently has added required courses in Family Law and in Secured Transactions, topics which are tested on all regional bar exams. A primary emphasis in scheduling elective courses also has been to offer topics covered on regional bar examinations but not covered in required courses. ASL therefore now regularly offers elective courses in Payment Systems, Virginia Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Debtor-Creditor Law, Remedies, and Sales. Faculty members also have been encouraged to give midterm exams and to use the type of questions typically found on the MBE and on state bar exams.
The faculty also has taken important steps to improve the school’s Academic Success Program. Associate Professor Gail Kintzer, who has expertise and experience in the academic support arena, has directed the program for the last two years. Professor Kintzer conducts a twice-weekly Academic Success class for the first-year students, and she also meets individually with 1L and upper-level students who require additional assistance with their study techniques. The addition of the Writing Center in 2003 also has helped to ensure that ASL’s graduates will have the writing skills they need to succeed in practice and on the bar exam. The Writing Center is directed by Jackie Davis, who has extensive experience teaching writing skills at the university level.
In addition to the efforts taken in the academic arena, ASL has been offering a series of voluntary bar preparation programs for its third-year students. During the Spring 2005 semester the Law School is offering the BAR/BRI Early Bird bar review program, which is open to all third-year students at nominal cost. Practice exams also will be administered. The Law School also will be repeating its popular “Passing the First Time” program, which includes members of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, study tips from law school alumni who passed the first time, and encouragement from alums who passed after more than one attempt.
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