Graduates of the Accelerated Honors JD Program at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law recently earned a 100% first-time pass rate on the February California Bar Exam, marking the fifth consecutive year the program has achieved a perfect pass rate. 

All graduates from the Accelerated Honors Program who took the bar exam passed on their first attempt, continuing a consistent record of success for one of the most rigorous academic tracks at McGeorge. 

The Accelerated Honors JD Program allows students to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in two and a half years instead of the traditional three-year track. This includes a 10-week honors externship during the summer and a heavier load of 17 credits each semester after the first year. It’s designed so that students can enter the workforce about six months earlier than their peers in the traditional JD program, saving about a semester’s worth of tuition and living expenses.  

Dean Michael T. Colatrella Jr. said the results reflect both student achievement and the strength of the program’s academic preparation. 

“Five years in a row with a 100% first-time bar pass rate is a tremendous accomplishment,” Colatrella said. “It reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our faculty, and the priority we place on strong bar preparation. This is a major success for the Accelerated Honors Program and for McGeorge as a whole.” 

Lindsay Harrington ‘03, director of bar support and an associate professor of law, said the school’s results are driven by steady, structured preparation throughout law school. 

“These results demonstrate the meaningful impact of McGeorge’s bar support programs on student success. When students engage consistently with our academic success faculty, structured preparation resources, and individualized support, they are better equipped to build confidence, strengthen exam skills, and succeed on the bar exam,” Harrington said. 

McGeorge’s broader bar support efforts also continue to contribute to student outcomes, including the Bar Exam Advantage Training (BEAT) program, a supplemental bar review program offered after graduation that provides simulated practice exams, written feedback and individualized counseling. 

Harrington said programs like BEAT, Practical Analysis, Strategies, & Skills (PASS) and McGeorge’s integrated academic success curriculum are effective because they emphasize consistent practice, individualized feedback and practical skill development throughout students’ law school experience. 

Harrington said helping students succeed on the bar exam is one of the most rewarding parts of her work at McGeorge. 

“Helping students pass the bar exam is the heart of my work. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students achieve this milestone and step confidently into the profession,” Harrington said. “McGeorge's strong commitment to investment in these programs directly supports our students’ ability to cross the finish line and begin making a difference in their communities and the legal profession.”