Regent Law Makes History, Leads Virginia in Both Bar Passage Categories

October 15, 2026

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Oct. 15, 2026) — Regent University School of Law achieved the highest first-time and overall bar passage rates among all Virginia law schools on the July 2026 Virginia Bar Exam. The results, released Oct. 9, mark the first time Regent Law has led both categories in a single examination administration, according to the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners’ published school-level results, which begin in 2013.

A Program Proven by Results

Regent Law graduates posted a 91.49% first-time pass rate and an 88.24% overall pass rate, exceeding statewide rates of 78.50% and 72.48%, respectively. The school led a Virginia field that includes four of the nation’s top 35 law schools, according to the 2026–27 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Regent’s curriculum emphasizes foundational legal study and practical skills training. Bar passage initiatives are directed by Associate Professor Jennifer Franklin, a Regent Law alumna who helped develop the school’s Academic Success Program early in her career and returned in 2025 after directing academic success and bar preparation at William & Mary.

Equipping Lawyers for Service and Impact

“We praise God for these results, and I could not be prouder of our graduates,” said S. Ernie Walton, Dean of Regent University School of Law. “Their hard work and perseverance, together with the faithful investment of our faculty and staff, have made this possible. Passing the bar opens the door to the legal profession, but our mission extends far beyond that. We equip our graduates to serve the Lord, serve their neighbors, and advance the kingdom through the practice of law. By God’s grace, we look forward to seeing them do just that.”

About Regent Law

Regent Law equips students to serve as purpose-driven, practice-ready attorneys grounded in timeless legal principles. The fastest-rising law school in U.S. News & World Report rankings, climbing 56 spots in five years, Regent ranked No. 91 in the nation in 2026 and achieved the highest first-time and overall bar passage rates in Virginia that year. The Class of 2025 ranked No. 7 in the nation for judicial clerkships and No. 26 for federal clerkships. Regent has been ranked among the top four Best Value Private Law Schools by National Jurist’s preLaw magazine from 2024 to 2026, and the Princeton Review places it second in the nation for professor accessibility and ninth for teaching quality. Regent University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in various fields of law. More than 3,800 alumni, including 38 judges, practice in 50 states and over 20 countries.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with nearly 14,000 students studying on its 100-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online worldwide. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the No. 1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 14 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2026) and the No. 2 Top Military Friendly^® School in the nation (Military Friendly^® Schools, 2024-2025).

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