In a remarkable achievement, Maryland’s law schools have once again surpassed the state’s overall bar exam pass rate for February 2025. This success story was reported by The Daily Record, highlighting the ongoing commitment of these institutions to excellence in legal education.
Both the University of Baltimore School of Law (UB Law) and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law (Maryland Carey Law) have shown significant improvement compared to the previous year. UB Law’s pass rate increased from 37% to 44%, while Maryland Carey Law saw a rise from 42% to 48%. These figures are particularly impressive given Maryland’s overall pass rate of 38%.
The schools are not resting on their laurels. They are making strategic investments in bar preparation and writing programs. This includes hiring additional staff and forming partnerships with commercial entities like Barbri to bolster student success. This strategic focus positions them well for the upcoming NextGen bar exam in July 2026, which will emphasize legal analysis and writing.

Leadership and Future Directions

Renée Hutchins Laurent, Dean of Maryland Carey Law, expressed optimism about the progress but acknowledged the need for continued efforts. “We continue the longtime trend of our results tracking above the state averages by significant percentages,” Laurent stated, emphasizing that more work is needed to support both first-time and repeat exam takers.
UB Law’s Director of Bar Success, Neal Kempler, echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of focused efforts on bar success programming. The school’s initiatives include offering required courses in tested subjects, providing bar-focused electives, and partnering with commercial bar review programs.

Preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam

As the schools prepare for the NextGen bar exam, they are embedding NextGen-like exercises into their curriculums. This proactive approach ensures that students are well-prepared for the changes that emphasize lawyering tasks and integrated doctrine and skills assessment.
In conclusion, Maryland’s law schools are not only celebrating their recent achievements but are also looking ahead to ensure continued success. Their dedication to graduating effective and ethical practitioners remains unwavering.