A greater percentage of Mercer University School of Law graduates are passing the bar exam than those from nearly any other law school in Georgia. With a first-time pass rate of 88.4%, Mercer Law came within just two-tenths of a percentage point of claiming the top spot among all Georgia law schools in the most recent administration of the exam.

Mercer Law’s rate was second only to the University of Georgia School of Law, which posted a rate of 88.6%. The statewide first-time pass rate for the July 2025 exam was 82.3%, according to the Georgia Office of Bar Admissions.

“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,” said Mercer President William D. Underwood, who will step down from the presidency and return to full-time teaching as the Tommy Malone Distinguished Chair of Trial Advocacy at Mercer Law in January. “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.”

“At Mercer Law, we are deeply committed to supporting our students from the moment they enter law school through their admission to the bar,” said Dean Karen J. Sneddon. “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.”

Mercer Law’s robust Academic Success Program plays a central role in preparing students for the bar exam. Under the leadership of Director of Academic Success Peg McCann and Associate Director and Adjunct Professor Anne G. Johnson, students engage in intensive preparation that includes targeted practice with Multistate Essay Examination questions, personalized feedback and simulated testing experiences.

“The class of 2025 understood the immense effort it takes to pass the bar exam,” Johnson said. “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.”

Beyond the classroom, Mercer Law leverages the strength of its alumni network to support students. On June 4, the Alumni Mentoring Program, hosted by the Hon. Lamar W. Sizemore Jr. and the Hon. Rusty Simson, brought together recent graduates and 28 alumni mentors for a hands-on bar prep event. Participants completed an MPT and Georgia essay, both of which were reviewed with detailed feedback from the alumni mentors. 

With steady investment in academic support, a focus on academic rigor, and a deeply engaged community of faculty, staff, and alumni, Mercer Law is well-positioned to continue its upward climb toward having the highest bar passage rate among law schools in Georgia.

Mercer Law graduates’ success on the bar exam has coincided with the School’s rising national stature in advocacy. Earlier this year, the annual Gavel Rankings placed Mercer at No. 2 in the nation, following a No. 3 ranking in 2024. Mercer Law teams also have been invited to participate in two of the nation’s most prestigious advocacy competitions, the Top Gun competition hosted by Baylor School of Law and the Tournament of Champions, hosted by the National Board of Trial Advocates.