Black Lawyer from Baltimore Scores Record-High on Bar Exam
Matthew Graham via Facebook
Matthew Graham, a University of Baltimore Law School alumnus, smashed the previous bar exam record by scoring 309 out of 400 on his first attempt.
Graham, whose heartfelt reaction video on Facebook has now gone viral, scored high enough on the bar exam to practice in any Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) jurisdiction in the country. On average, law students require three attempts to achieve a passing score of 266 on the bar exam.
Graham’s impressive bar exam score places him at the 94th percentile, but the score itself is not the only thing inspiring praise for the young lawyer. Graham shared that he had only nine weeks to prepare for a February exam that typically has a 49% passing rate for first-timers, and he faced numerous challenges along the way.
Graham and his then-girlfriend, now-wife, welcomed their first child during his time in law school, adding to the restless nights from working 15-hour days while juggling law school and a full-time job.
“God did something interesting. On February 21, 2023, I walked into the examination room. It was a familiar space. Out of the hundreds of conference rooms, ballrooms, and event spaces in Maryland, I took the Bar Exam under the same chandelier, in the same ballroom, that my wife and I said, “I do,” said Graham in his statement.
Maryland offers the UBE in February and July. The exam takes two days and four three-hour sessions, including ten state essays, one 90-minute Multistate Performance Test question, and 200 multiple-choice Multistate Bar Exam questions.
“To my wife and daughter, I love you. You were my motivation and strength during this process. I promise that I will do my best to continue to lead our family,“ said Graham on Facebook.
In just a few weeks, Matthew Graham's moving video has been viewed by millions of admirers in awe of his accomplishment.