Press Release

Northern Illinois University College of Law Ranks Third
for Illinois Bar Passage Rate

College of Law Exceeds State Average with 95 Percent Pass Rate

October 31, 2008

DeKalb, Ill. – Malcolm L. Morris, interim dean of the Northern Illinois University College of Law, announced the July 2008 Illinois State Bar Exam pass rate for the College’s first-time takers was 95 percent. This exceeds the state average rate for all Illinois first-time test takers.

The results placed Northern Illinois University College of Law first among the other public law schools and third overall in the state.

“It is gratifying to see our students succeed on the bar exam,” said Dean Morris.“This achievement speaks to the high quality of our students and the ability of our dedicated faculty to provide a well-rounded legal education. It validates what we always have known: Northern Illinois University College of Law provides an excellent legal education, which results in graduates who pass the bar and are ready to enter the legal profession.”

Dean Morris noted that during the spring semester, College of Law faculty devoted their time and effort to provide students a program of extra class sessions. Offered free and exclusively for its law students, the classes were designed to reinforce legal skills students acquired in their law school courses. Pleased with the outstanding results, Dean Morris plans to expand the program this year. As explained by Dean Morris, “Our top priority is the success of our students. The College will do what is necessary to achieve that goal.”

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For more information, contact: 
Melody Mitchell
Alumni Events & Public Relations
(815) 753-9655 or mmitchell@niu.edu