Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law alumni, faculty, families and friends joined together on December 7 in celebration of the law school’s 84 newly admitted lawyers at a Bar Admission Ceremony held in Chapman’s Memorial Hall.

This marks the fifth consecutive year that Fowler School of Law alumni have surpassed the California Bar Exam pass rate. The Fowler School of Law first-time pass rate was 71.2%, more than three percentage points higher than the California ABA accredited law schools average, more than 12 percentage points above the out-of-state ABA accredited law schools average, and almost 25 points above the overall state average.

Speaker at the bar admission ceremony


Judge Jonathan Fish of the Orange County Superior Court addressed students before administering the state oath to graduates.

On hand to welcome our alumni to their new profession were the Honorable Jonathan Fish, of the Orange County Superior Court, and the Honorable Karen Scott, of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Judge Fish addressed the group before administering the state oath, congratulating the new lawyers on their success so far. “You’ve graduated from a fine law school and passed one of the hardest bar exams in the country. You’ve done a lot so far, but you have more to do,” he noted, explaining the importance of maintaining professionalism and high ethical standards.

Judge Scott administered the federal oath, but first took a moment to give some advice to the new lawyers: “Always remember that sense of excitement and gratitude you feel now. Carry that forward with you in your careers. You will get to work on issues that are fundamental and that matter. You will have a chance to protect people’s rights and advocate for justice.”

Todd Friedland, President-Designate of the Orange County Bar Association, told the group, “You are going to be challenged and intellectually stimulated constantly.” Marvin Adviento (’05), Chair of the Fowler School of Law Alumni Advisory Board, urged the new attorneys to pursue excellence. “If you do that,” he noted, “rewards will follow.”

Wylie Aitken, Chair of the Fowler School of Law Board of Advisors, congratulated the successful group, and gave a special acknowledgement to newly licensed attorney Megan Demshki (‘15), the third Chapman alumnus to join the prestigious firm of Aitken*Aitken*Cohn.

Dean Campbell ended the ceremony by thanking Professor Mario Mainero, director of Fowler School of Law’s Bar Exam Preparation Program, and also acknowledged the many attorneys and professors who helped grade practice exams leading up to the exam. Fowler School of Law students have the opportunity to participate in two for-credit bar preparation courses during their legal studies, along with a supplemental bar preparation program immediately following graduation.

View a slideshow from the event
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group shot of law students at bar admission ceremony