A recent report shows that Mercer University School of Law has achieved one of the highest first-time bar passage rates among law schools in Georgia. For the July 2025 administration of the bar exam, 88.4% of Mercer Law graduates passed on their first attempt. This figure places Mercer Law just behind the University of Georgia School of Law, which had a pass rate of 88.6%. The overall statewide first-time pass rate was 82.3%, according to data from the Georgia Office of Bar Admissions.
Mercer President William D. Underwood commented on this achievement: “The Mercer School of Law has a magnificent heritage of producing legendary leaders and lawyers — Carl Vinson, Gus Bootle, Walter F. George, Frank Jones, Griffin Bell and many, many others. The outstanding bar results and championship advocacy record reinforce this heritage and our commitment to preparing men and women to become great leaders and lawyers.” Underwood will step down as president in January to return to full-time teaching as the Tommy Malone Distinguished Chair of Trial Advocacy at Mercer Law.
Dean Karen J. Sneddon also highlighted the collaborative effort behind these results: “At Mercer Law, we are deeply committed to supporting our students from the moment they enter law school through their admission to the bar. This year’s outstanding bar passage rate reflects the strength of our academic program, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the resilience and determination of our students. It also speaks to the power of community — our alumni, faculty and staff work together to ensure our graduates are prepared for the challenges of legal practice. We are proud to celebrate this achievement and congratulate our newest Mercer lawyers.”
The Academic Success Program at Mercer Law has played a significant role in student preparation for the bar exam. Led by Director Peg McCann and Associate Director Anne G. Johnson, the program offers targeted practice with Multistate Essay Examination questions, personalized feedback, and simulated testing experiences.
Anne G. Johnson noted: “The class of 2025 understood the immense effort it takes to pass the bar exam. They put in long hours of study and completed numerous multiple-choice questions, essays, and MPTs (Multistate Performance Tests) — and now their hard work is paying off.”
In addition to academic programs, alumni engagement supports students’ success. On June 4, an Alumni Mentoring Program event brought together recent graduates with 28 alumni mentors for hands-on bar preparation activities.
Mercer Law’s strong performance on the bar exam coincides with its increasing national recognition in advocacy competitions. In early 2025, Gavel Rankings placed Mercer at No. 2 nationwide for advocacy programs; in 2024 it ranked No. 3. The school’s teams have been invited to participate in major competitions such as Baylor School of Law’s Top Gun competition and the Tournament of Champions hosted by the National Board of Trial Advocates.
With ongoing investment in academic support initiatives and active involvement from faculty, staff, and alumni, Mercer Law aims to further improve its standing among Georgia law schools.