Passing the bar exam is a critical milestone for aspiring lawyers, yet for Thomas M. Cooley Law School of Western Michigan University, achieving adequate bar exam passage rates has been a persistent challenge. In response, the American Bar Association (ABA) has placed the institution on probation, citing concerns over their continued noncompliance with critical educational standards.

Historically, Cooley Law School has struggled with its bar exam passage rates, a crucial measure of a law school's efficacy in preparing students for legal practice. The ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar found that Cooley Law had not met Standard 316, which mandates a minimum 75% bar passage rate within two years after graduation. Since 2020, the school has been under scrutiny for failing to meet this standard.

In an effort to rectify these issues, Cooley Law was initially given a two-year period to comply, starting five years ago. Despite being granted a three-year extension in 2022 to implement a significant financial investment and strategic plan aimed at boosting passage rates, recent evaluations have revealed insufficient progress.

From 2018 to 2022, the bar passage rates at Cooley Law oscillated between 62.3% and 57.4%, with the 2022 rate marking the lowest among all ABA-accredited law schools. This troubling statistic prompted the ABA to question the quality of education and student learning experience at Cooley Law.

Dean James McGrath of Cooley Law expressed surprise at the probation decision but remains hopeful. He stated, "While we cannot predict the future, Cooley is confident that the nationwide results of the July 2025 bar examination will demonstrate our compliance with Standard 316. Our program is solid, and our improved bar exam results are just one metric to prove it."

The law school is scheduled to present its case to the ABA in February 2026, aiming to showcase improvements and regain full compliance. As this date approaches, Cooley Law faces a critical period of introspection and enhancement, striving to elevate its educational standards and ensure its graduates are well-prepared to succeed on the bar exam and in their subsequent legal careers.

For further details, visit the ABA Journal and Law.com reports on this developing story.