Zak Kramer, the Dean of Elon University School of Law, has made headlines after honouring a promise made to his students. Following a remarkable performance by the Class of 2025 in their recent bar examinations, Kramer decided to commemorate this achievement with a tattoo.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Law-School-dean-Zak-Kramer-2-58dd1036626b4316ba0e4f9f349cdfc0.jpg)
Last year, Dean Kramer set a challenge to his students: if they could achieve an overall first-time bar passage rate of 83%, there would be a reward. However, the students raised the stakes, proposing an ambitious target of 85%. In a show of faith in his students, Kramer agreed to the terms, foreshadowing the eventual celebration of their success.
The Class of 2025 not only met their goal but surpassed it impressively, boasting an overall first-time passage rate of 90.9% across North Carolina and 11 other states. This outstanding performance led Kramer to fulfil his promise on September 4, when he visited Frozen Pines Tattoo in Gibsonville to get inked.
The tattoo, which reads “One and Done,” reflects the school’s slogan emphasising the importance of preparation and passing the bar exam on the first attempt. The artwork was crafted by Annie Bella, co-founder of Frozen Pines Tattoo, during what was a memorable moment for both the Dean and his students.
Upon completing the tattoo, Kramer shared his experience, admitting that the process was painful but worthwhile, stating, “Ow. But I’m happy to do it.” He went on to express pride in his students’ accomplishments, reinforcing the sentiment that “a deal’s a deal,” underscoring the connection between his promise and their success.
The Class of 2025’s achievements did not stop with the impressive overall first-time passage rate. Additionally, students who took their spring bar exams recorded a remarkable 91.96% first-time passage rate on the North Carolina Bar Examination. These figures reflect the effectiveness of Elon Law’s rigorous curriculum and dedicated faculty.
The school’s unique two-and-a-half-year J.D. programme allows students to graduate early, in December, enabling them to sit the bar exam in February rather than the traditional timeline of three years. This acceleration gives students a critical advantage, allowing them to enter the legal market sooner than their peers.
Dean Kramer is not resting on his laurels; he is already looking towards the future. He has issued a challenge to the upcoming December graduating class, urging them to aim for an even higher first-time passage rate when they sit for the bar exam in February. This continual commitment to excellence embodies the ethos of Elon Law and further motivates students to strive for exceptional performance.
As academic institutions increasingly focus on practical outcomes, the collaboration between Dean Kramer and his students represents a powerful example of accountability and aspiration in the field of legal education.