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Ave Maria School of Law Ranks No. 1 Among Florida’s Private Law Schools in July Bar Passage

With an 89.8% first-time passage rate, Ave Maria Law places third statewide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2026

NAPLES, Fla. — Ave Maria School of Law earned the highest first-time passage rate among Florida’s private law schools and ranked third among all law schools with Florida locations on the July 2026 Florida Bar Examination, according to results released today by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

Fifty-three of Ave Maria Law’s 59 first-time examinees passed the examination, achieving an 89.8% passage rate—well above the statewide first-time passage rate of 75.2%.

“We are tremendously proud of our graduates and the discipline, perseverance, and commitment they demonstrated in preparing for the bar examination,” said Dean and CEO John M. Czarnetzky. “Their success also speaks to the extraordinary commitment of our faculty and Academic Success and Bar Preparation team, who accompany our students from their first day of law school through the bar examination. We celebrate these graduates and look forward to seeing them carry Ave Maria Law’s mission of faith, excellence, and service into the legal profession.”

Ave Maria Law School remains committed to providing individualized guidance and sustained support to every graduate working toward successful bar passage and admission to the legal profession. This commitment reflects the School’s mission to form lawyers who serve with professional excellence, integrity, and dedication to the common good.

 

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July 2026 Florida Bar Statistics

About Ave Maria School of Law
Founded in 2000, Ave Maria School of Law is an independent Catholic law school located in Naples, Florida. Inspired by St. John Paul II’s Fides et Ratio, the School is dedicated to educating lawyers with the finest professional skills, a moral foundation rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, and a commitment to justice, human dignity, and the common good. Ave Maria Law is the nation’s only Catholic law school recognized by the Cardinal Newman Guide and is fully accredited by the American Bar Association. The School is also designated as a Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly® institution, reflecting its commitment to serving veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

Media Contact
Lisa Johnston
Senior Director of Communications and Creative Strategy
Ave Maria School of Law
ljohnston@avemarialaw.edu