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.
More Articles
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
Seattle now holds the second‑highest office vacancy rate in the nation at 26.6%, with some downtown areas soaring past 35% and Pioneer Square reaching 50%. Mayor‑elect Katie Wilson steps into office with bold proposals—including a vacancy tax and office‑to‑housing conversions—amid tech pullbacks, shifting work habits, and investor uncertainty. Despite alarming numbers, signs of resilience remain, offering opportunities for savvy real estate professionals watching this market transform in real time.
Florida lawmakers are once again targeting the fast‑growing litigation‑financing industry with House Bill 1157, a proposal that would restrict how outside investors participate in lawsuits. The bill would limit funder influence, cap their share of settlements, and require new disclosures—especially for foreign‑backed financing. As similar measures emerge nationwide, the outcome could significantly impact professionals across law, insurance, finance, and real estate who depend on predictable risk and regulatory environments.
Starting April 1, Philadelphia homeowners and renters with federal flood insurance will see a 15% reduction in their premiums thanks to the city joining FEMA’s Community Rating System. The discount reflects Philadelphia’s growing investment in flood‑risk mitigation and is expected to save residents and businesses more than $424,000 annually. Beyond easing household expenses, the change also reshapes how real estate and insurance professionals evaluate flood‑zone properties, opening the door to improved affordability and stronger buyer confidence.
Newrez is doubling down on artificial intelligence with a strategic investment in Homevision, an advanced AI underwriting platform designed to automate collateral, income, assets, credit, and full loan decisioning. After seeing Homevision’s MIRA system boost collateral underwriting efficiency, Newrez plans to expand the technology in 2026—signaling a breakthrough year for real-time automated underwriting across the mortgage industry.
A new United Van Lines migration report reveals that Americans are trading big-city ambition for affordability, shorter commutes, and better quality of life—reshaping where and how commercial real estate will grow. Southern and smaller markets continue to attract new residents, but pandemic‑era assumptions of endless demand are fading as rent growth cools and new inventory floods the market. For investors and real estate professionals, the opportunity now lies in affordable housing, modest office parks, value‑focused retail, and support‑industrial spaces like self‑storage.
The 2026 housing market is finally shifting into balance, with economists forecasting rising home sales, improved affordability, and a more diverse buyer pool. Inventory is up, mortgage rates are easing, and demographic changes—from returning first-time buyers to dominant baby boomers—are reshaping demand. New construction is stabilizing, price growth is moderating, and millions of buyers could re-enter the market as rates fall toward 6 percent. For real estate professionals, this rebalanced environment offers fresh opportunities for growth, strategy, and education.
