Cincinnati Law Beats State Average by 15 Percent on Bar Exam

The results of the July 2016 Ohio Bar Exam were just released and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, recognized as a “Best Value Law School” by National Jurist and preLaw magazines, recorded an 86-percent passage rate for all Cincinnati Law exam takers, second among Ohio’s law schools and 15 percentage points higher than the state-wide average of 70.5 percent. These numbers put the law school two percentage points behind our nearest competitor in Ohio and 10 percentage points ahead of all other Ohio law schools.  

The passage rate for Cincinnati Law first-time takers also was 86 percent, second in the state. This rate exceeds the state-wide average passing rate of 76 percent. Almost 1,000 aspiring attorneys from across the state and the country took the July exam.

In addition, for those out-of-state jurisdictions that have released their outcomes, Class of 2016 results are very strong, representing a 90-percent pass rate, including a 100-percent pass rate in Indiana, Montana and West Virginia.

“Passing the bar exam is one of the singular events in every lawyer’s professional life and I warmly congratulate our students and everyone else who passed the Ohio Bar examination,” said Cincinnati Law’s Dean Jennifer S. Bard.

“Although in the end passing the bar exam is a test of an individual student’s knowledge, stamina and analytical ability, it starts with strong teaching and support that our Cincinnati Law students get from every faculty and staff member. We have had a great year here and it reflects a truly exceptional group of faculty, staff and students strongly supported by the faculty, staff, students and trustees of the University of Cincinnati. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to help our students succeed. Go Bearcats!”  

Applicants who successfully passed the examination and who satisfied all of the Supreme Court’s other requirements for admission will be admitted on Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. during a special session of the Supreme Court at the historic Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio. The session will be streamed live via the Supreme Court and Ohio Channel websites at www.supremecourt.ohio.gov and www.ohiochannel.org.  It will also be available statewide on the Ohio Channel’s local public broadcasting stations.