FSU College of Law Celebrates Strong Bar Results; Welcomes Jami Ferrell as Director of Bar Success
Florida State University College of Law recent graduates achieved an impressive 88.5% first-time pass rate on the July Bar Exam — up 1.3% from 2024 — underscoring the college’s continued commitment to student achievement.
Strengthening that commitment, FSU Law has appointed Jami Ferrell as the new Director of Bar Success, a role focused on ensuring every graduate is prepared to excel.
“We are proud to celebrate our bar takers on this remarkable accomplishment that reflects their hard work, perseverance and commitment to excellence,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of FSU College of Law. “I am also thrilled to welcome Jami to FSU Law. He brings deep experience in legal education and bar exam support, along with a clear dedication to student success.”
Ferrell has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney, legal educator and business leader. His background as a litigator, corporate counsel and respected bar exam coach makes him uniquely qualified to guide students through one of the most significant transitions in their legal careers.
“I’m passionate about helping students enter the legal profession with purpose and a strong foundation,” said Ferrell. “FSU Law’s clear commitment to student success inspires me, and I’m honored to be part of that effort.”
Working alongside Dean Nancy Benavides and professors Laura Dennis and Cecelia Smith, Ferrell leads the college’s comprehensive bar preparation strategy. He directs bar exam programming, analyzes performance data and provides one-on-one guidance to help students build confidence and sharpen skills.
Ferrell is introducing bar-focused preparation as early as the first year, helping first-year law students understand the exam’s demands on writing style and critical thinking.
“Bar success for them will be much more than memorizing rules,” he said. “As always, we’re equipping students to learn efficiently, manage stress and apply their knowledge under pressure; skills that will serve them throughout their careers.”
His commitment is personal. Having self-financed his law school education and prepared for the bar on his own, Ferrell understands the financial and emotional challenges many students face.
“It means a lot to help all of our students access the resources and support they need to succeed,” he said.
Ferrell has already expanded Spear the Bar, FSU Law’s signature bar-prep initiative, which offers supplemental lectures by experienced attorneys and former examiners, a simulated exam, individualized tutoring, strategy development, and wellness support. Drawing on his own experience as a bar coach, he is enhancing accessibility and tailoring guidance to meet the needs of every student.
“Passing the bar exam is one of the most demanding and rewarding achievements, representing months of rigorous study, unwavering dedication, and the mastery of complex legal knowledge and skills,” said Dean O’Hara O’Connor. “These results also reflect the dedication and support of our Spear the Bar summer 2025 program run by our Bar Success team.”
Looking ahead, the structure of the Florida Bar Exam is set to change. The Florida Supreme Court has approved the adoption of the NextGen Bar Exam, a new format developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Florida will begin administering the new exam in July 2028, replacing the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), which will discontinue after February 2028. A Florida-specific component will remain. FSU Law is proactively adapting its curriculum and bar-prep strategies to ensure graduates are fully prepared for this important transition.
For more information, visit law.fsu.edu/barsuccess.