In the influential publication’s 2026 , ������Ƶ Law is No. 11 nationally — the highest-ranked law school in the Southeast and the only school in North Carolina among the top 35.

, with its required Residency-in-Practice Program highlighted as a model for immersive, practice-based legal education. All ������Ƶ Law students spend 10 weeks in the winter or spring of their second year in full-time placements with practicing lawyers, judges and legal teams, graduating with hands-on experience in the day-to-day realities of legal practice.

“You cannot graduate from ������Ƶ Law without knowing exactly what it’s like to be a lawyer,” ������Ƶ Law Dean Zak Kramer said in the article. “The legal practice becomes their classroom … They leave law students and come back lawyers.”

The article also features insights from Patricia Perkins, ������Ƶ Law’s associate dean of academic affairs and professor of law. “Our curriculum is designed to assist students in transforming into the lawyers they want to be,” she said. “Skills are just as important to develop as a knowledge base.”

PreLaw Magazine graded and ranked schools based on student participation in clinics, externships, simulation courses, moot court and other special programs.

������Ƶ Law offers students a broad array of opportunities to hone practical training skills throughout their 2.5 years of study. Those include:

• Full-time residencies-in-practice
• Lab and simulation courses
• Five clinics (immigration, small business and entrepreneurship, wills drafting, Social Security disability benefits and guardian ad litem appellate advocacy)
• Moot court and mock trial teams
• Internships, externships and judicial clerkships
• Bridge-to-practice courses
• Involvement with the Pro Bono Board

������Ƶ Law adopted its 2.5-year, seven-trimester full-time curriculum in 2014, making it the only American law school to intentionally design a program where all students graduate in December and can sit for the February bar exam — months ahead of peers from other institutions. (In 2026, 91.96% of ������Ƶ Law’s first-time North Carolina bar takers passed the exam.)

By completing their legal studies nearly six months faster than traditional programs, ������Ƶ Law’s full-time graduates have lowered their average student debt at graduation by almost a third since the curriculum was adopted.

For more information on ������Ƶ Law and the application process, visit the law school’s admissions page. ������Ƶ Law continues to actively admit the ������Ƶ Law Class of 2028, which will enroll in August 2026.

The corporations, athletes and entertainers at the center of those industries generate opportunity and influence that extend well beyond the spotlight, fueling local businesses and the people around them. That broader community impact is where Schultz aims to make her mark in the legal field.

She got a firsthand look at the breadth of that work during her Residency-in-Practice this winter at Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group — a boutique firm in Charlotte that counsels clients across a range of matters, from contracts, sponsorships and endorsements to intellectual property and brand protection.

“I’ve really enjoyed knowing that the work we do has a meaningful impact,” Schultz said. “These organizations and individuals have a real connection to their communities, and being part of that has been important to me.”

Before enrolling in law school, Schultz spent nearly eight years teaching elementary school after earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Working with students and their families, she discovered a passion for advocacy that ultimately led her to pursue a legal career.

Schultz said ������Ƶ Law’s emphasis on experiential learning played a significant role in her decision to attend the school. The Residency-in-Practice Program, a cornerstone of ������Ƶ Law’s curriculum, places every second-year student in a full-time, 10-week residency with a judge or practicing lawyer, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in real legal settings.

At Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group in Charlotte, Schultz received close mentorship from the law firm’s team of attorneys working on matters ranging from document drafting to client interviewing. It was an inside look at the legal field that strengthened practical skills and confidence she will carry into her legal career.

“This has confirmed that I can succeed in this area and that I really enjoy the work,” Schultz said. “I’m full steam ahead on this path after law school.”

Below, Schultz reflects on her residency experience and what she learned while working with the Apollo team.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and why sports and entertainment law?

Before law school, I taught elementary school for seven and a half years, working with kindergarten, first, second and fifth graders. One of the parts of teaching I loved most was advocating for students and their families and helping them navigate challenges. Law felt like a natural next step to build on that advocacy and develop the skills and credentials to support people in new ways.

I became interested in sports and entertainment law as name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities began reshaping college athletics. Not everyone comes from financial privilege or financial security, and NIL allows student-athletes to pursue a degree while also helping support themselves and their families.

Why were you interested in completing your residency with Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group?

Apollo stood out to me because of the breadth of work the firm handles across the sports and entertainment industries. The attorneys work on a wide range of matters, from brand agreements and trademark issues to litigation and transactional work, and I wanted the opportunity to see how those different areas come together in practice.

I was also drawn to the firm’s boutique environment. Working with a smaller team provided the opportunity to take on meaningful assignments, receive direct feedback and better understand the reasoning behind the work we were doing. The combination of variety and mentorship made it an ideal place to learn.

What were your daily responsibilities?

Every day was different, which was one of the most exciting parts of the experience. I worked on a variety of projects ranging from reviewing employee handbooks for compliance with state and federal laws to conducting trademark clearance checks and drafting legal documents.

I also helped redline different agreements, like revenue-sharing agreements, and drafted settlement and cease-and-desist letters.

What was it like working with the attorneys at Apollo Law Group?

The mentorship was incredible. Every attorney in the firm played a role in guiding me through the work and explaining the reasoning behind different legal decisions. They were truly mentors in every sense of the word.

They trusted me with meaningful assignments, like redlining agreements and participating in client meetings, and then walked through the work with me afterward. That process helped me understand not only the legal details but also how attorneys approach problems by prioritizing the client’s best interest and overall goals.

What skills did you strengthen during the residency?

Contract drafting and redlining were two of the biggest skills I developed during the placement. Those are tools that I now feel confident using in practice.

My legal research skills also improved, especially learning how to locate information efficiently and communicate it clearly. I also became more comfortable interacting with clients and working in a professional legal environment.

What advice would you give to students searching for a residency placement?

Think carefully about the kind of legal work you want to do long-term and try to align your residency with those goals. The placement gives you 10 weeks of hands-on experience with attorneys who are committed to helping you learn. Choose a residency that will give you meaningful experience and help you grow professionally. It’s an opportunity to confirm what type of work you enjoy before you begin your career.

At ������Ƶ Law, Schultz is vice president of the Student Bar Association, a student mentor and teaching assistant. She is an active member of student organizations including the Women’s Law Association, the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, First Gen Society, and OUTLaw.

Craige traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend oral arguments in two cases — including those for a closely watched immigration asylum case — after securing tickets through the Court’s public lottery.

“It was an unforgettable experience to watch the Justices engage in real time: asking questions, testing arguments and shaping the legal issues I’ve spent the past few years studying,” Craige said.

A 2024 graduate of ������Ƶ with a degree in psychology, Craige’s interest in law grew from a desire to lead, advocate and serve her community. At ������Ƶ Law, she is a Leadership Fellow and member of the Moot Court Board. The daughter of a U.S. Air Force family, she spent much of her childhood on and near military bases, including in Stuttgart, Germany. Her family now lives in northern Virginia.

During her visit, the Court heard arguments in Keathley v. Buddy Ayers Construction, a bankruptcy case, and Noem v. Al Otro Lado, which centers on the rights of asylum seekers at the U.S.–Mexico border. Craige was especially struck by the immigration case. Justices closely examined the meaning of statutory language, parsing even what it means to “arrive” in the United States. The questioning, she said, revealed how minute distinctions in wording can carry significant consequences in how the law is applied.

“It was incredible to see how even small details can shape the outcome of a case,” she said.

The experience felt both familiar and surreal. Craige recognized concepts from class while watching justices press attorneys in real time.

She also experienced something impossible to capture in textbooks and manuals: The rhythm of the room.

“Seeing the justices interact, even joking at times, made it feel less abstract,” Craige said. “It reminded me these are real people behind the decisions we study.”

This spring, Craige is completing her Residency-in-Practice with the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office. She is exploring a future in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, a return to the kind of service that shaped her childhood.

“Moments like this remind me why I chose this path,” she said.

Results from the February 2026 exam were released Wednesday, April 1, by the . ������Ƶ Law’s result far exceeds the statewide first-time passage rate of 74.78% and the school’s previous high of 82%, set by ������Ƶ Law’s charter class in 2009.

The Class of 2025’s success reflects a sustained, school-wide focus on teaching, preparation, and student support, all aimed at helping graduates succeed not only on the bar exam, but in their legal careers.

“This is what ������Ƶ Law is all about,” said Zak Kramer, dean of ������Ƶ Law. “We’re in the dream-making business. The better our students perform, the faster they can begin making an impact as lawyers.”

An upward trajectory

In recent years, faculty and staff have aligned around the mission of excellence on the bar exam. They adopted a new motto and mindset: “One and Done.”

The gains are striking. First-time passage has climbed from 52.8% for the Class of 2021 to 91.96% for the Class of 2025, with steady increases along the way, including 79.4% for the Class of 2023, and 73.5% for the Class of 2024.

These efforts are part of a broader vision. ������Ƶ Law’s faculty continuously refine how they teach for real-world lawyering. The school’s 2.5-year J.D. program accelerates students’ path to the profession — with a December graduation and February bar exam — while reducing the cost of a legal education. Recognized nationally for practical training with an A+ rating from PreLaw Magazine, ������Ƶ Law prepares graduates to enter the profession with confidence and experience.

“We’re so proud of our students who took the bar,” said Jenny Lane, assistant dean for academic success. “We gave them the mission, ‘Commit, complete, conquer,’ and that’s exactly what they did.”

With its highest bar pass rate in recent history and a multi-year trend of steady growth, ������Ƶ Law is on a sustained upward trajectory.

“Big things are happening at ������Ƶ Law,” Kramer said, “and we’re just getting started.”

About ������Ƶ Law

������Ƶ Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school’s distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

������Ƶ Law has graduated nearly 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings, maintaining a Top 10 placement and an A+ rating each year since 2023. ������Ƶ Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

������Ƶ has applied to the American Bar Association to open a full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program in Charlotte beginning in fall 2027. The ������Ƶ Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched there in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it enrolled its second cohort in fall 2025.

The 2026 results surpassed the previous high of $46,157.01 set during ������Ƶ Day 2025 and reflected broad engagement from alumni, students, parents and friends of the law school.

“There is an energy at ������Ƶ Law that you won’t find anywhere else,” said Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Engagement Scott Leighty. “Philanthropy here is more than just giving. Every gift is a direct investment in this special community and the innovative way we prepare students for the profession. Seeing our alumni, students, parents and friends come together like this shows just how much they believe in our mission.”

In total, 178 donors made gifts on March 5, a 24.5% increase from the 143 donors who participated on ������Ƶ Day in 2025.

Participation increased across nearly every constituency group.

• Gifts from students rose sharply to 45 donors, up from eight last year — a 462.5% increase.
• Parent participation increased to 12 donors, up from eight, or 50%.
• Alumni participation also climbed, with 64 alumni making gifts compared with 56 last year, a 14.2% rise.

������Ƶ Day events and competitions were held throughout the day on March 5, including a large “E”-painting competition among student organizations and an evening celebration at Joymongers in downtown Greensboro. Perhaps the highlight was a Pie Your Professor event, with student donors lining up to hurl plates of whipped cream at Dean Zak Kramer, Professors Steve Friedland and Bob Minarcin, and Assistant Professors Erin Fitzgerald and Susan Ross.

Kramer praised the growing support for ������Ƶ Law and the community members who help make the annual day of giving successful.

“I want to thank everyone for their contributions, whether philanthropic, pitching in to make the day special, taking a pie to the face, or all of it,” Kramer said. “These gifts go directly to support our students and the opportunities that prepare them for the profession.”

Kramer also credited Leighty’s leadership in connecting with alumni and supporters, growing ������Ƶ Law’s momentum.

“Scott is doggedly pursuing financial support for our students,” Kramer said. “It’s not easy asking people for money, but our numbers keep increasing in a remarkably steep line. It’s a testament to his hard work and the great investment of our whole community.”

������Ƶ Day gifts help fund scholarships, student programs and experiential learning opportunities that define ������Ƶ Law’s innovative, practice-focused curriculum.

The growth in participation during ������Ƶ Day reflects a broader trend in philanthropy supporting ������Ƶ Law. The law school has seen steady increases in donor engagement over the past several years, underscoring the strength of its alumni network and the community’s investment in the next generation of lawyers.

Recent ������Ƶ Law graduate Dmitri McKinney L’25 appeared as a contestant on where a legal hypothetical (or what sounded like one) led him astray.

Calling in from his hometown of ������Ƶ, McKinney joined host Peter Sagal for the program’s “Bluff the Listener” segment, where contestants try to identify the real news story among three humorous options presented by the show’s panelists.

During his introduction, McKinney shared that he had recently graduated from ������Ƶ Law and hopes to pursue public service or civil rights work, drawing applause from the audience.

When the panelists shared three unusual New York City stories, McKinney joked that one option — involving a tourist suing over a painfully spicy taco — sounded like something straight out of a first-year law class.

“I’m not saying this is the real one, but Paula (Poundstone)’s story sounded like a tort hypothetical that I know a lot of the 1Ls went through a couple of months ago,” he said.

Ironically, that lawsuit story turned out to be the real one.

“All of the answer choices were so entertaining, but I thought there was no way that the real answer would essentially be a giant torts foreseeability hypothetical!” McKinney said afterward. “I wound up picking Alonzo Bodden’s story because it was so kind-hearted.”

He appeared on the show after submitting an online form shortly after graduating from ������Ƶ Law in December.

“I have been a lifelong listener of NPR and of ‘Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!’ so I wanted being on the show to mark a special occasion,” McKinney said. “Someone from the show texted me last week asking if I still wanted to be on the show. It was an absolute delight.”

At ������Ƶ Law, McKinney was a Presidential Scholar, Leadership Fellow, editor-in-chief of We the People: ������Ƶ Law’s Constitutional Law Journal, president of the Innocence Organization, Law School Democrats and active on the Honor Council. He earned undergraduate degrees from North Carolina State University in chemistry and political science.

The new members are:

• Favia Delgado LF’28
• Trinity Jones LF’28
• Yukai Johnson LF’28
• Jane Lockwood LF’28
• Nadia Mazza LF’28
• Kayla Price LF’28

They are the first Flex Program students to become members of the School of Law’s Moot Court Board. Students were selected based on a combination of their performance in the fall 2025 Flex Program Intramural Moot Court Competition, their appellate brief writing in the Legal Method and Communication III course, and their overall academic record.

Members of the Moot Court Board represent ������Ƶ Law in external appellate advocacy competitions and help organize internal moot court events.

“These students distinguished themselves through strong written and oral advocacy skills, thoughtful analysis, and professionalism,” said Vice Dean Alan Woodlief, director of ������Ƶ Law’s Moot Court Program. “We’re excited to welcome them to the Moot Court Board and look forward to seeing them represent ������Ƶ Law in national competitions. They will also play an important role this fall helping coordinate the Intramural Moot Court Competitions and the 17th Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition, one of our program’s signature events.”

Jodi Kantor, a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter whose work has reshaped national conversations about power, accountability, and the law, will share insights on leadership, her ongoing reporting around the U.S. Supreme Court, and the role of journalism in strengthening democratic institutions.

The Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture featuring Jodi Kantor

Wednesday, May 6, 2026
6:30 p.m.
Proximity Hotel, Weaver Room (704 Green Valley Road, Greensboro)

or by calling 336-279-9200. Seats are limited. For large group information, contact ������Ƶ Law Events Coordinator Delia Rhodes at drhodes4@elon.edu.

The Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series presented by The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation is an integral part of ������Ƶ Law’s commitment to learning, lawyering and leadership. Endowed through a generous gift from The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greensboro, North Carolina, the series brings accomplished leaders from a variety of disciplines to ������Ƶ to share their experiences and perspectives with students and faculty.

About Jodi Kantor

, Jodi Kantor’s reporting has won her the industry’s top accolades — including the Pulitzer Prize. Perhaps more impressive, her work has led to reforms in workplace policy at major corporations, influenced national debates about equality and accountability, and informed scrutiny of our nation’s highest court and officials.

Kantor is . Their reporting helped ignite the global #MeToo movement and earned the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. The investigation later became adapted into an acclaimed feature film.

In recent years, Kantor has focused on the U.S. Supreme Court, producing scrupulous reporting that has brought renewed attention to the Court’s , . Less concerned with decisions issued by the court, she instead focuses and whose influence and actions inform the final word in the rule of law.

Her journalism has also driven significant workplace reforms. Investigations into labor conditions and automated scheduling systems influenced policy changes at companies including Amazon and Starbucks, while her reporting on working mothers inspired the creation of the first free-standing lactation pods now common in airports and public spaces.

Earlier in her career, she covered President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for The New York Times and offering a behind-the-scenes look at their leadership and life in the White House.

In April 2026, exploring how individuals find purpose and direction in their professional lives.

Through her reporting and writing, Kantor offers a distinctive perspective on leadership grounded in curiosity, courage and public service.

About ������Ƶ Law

������Ƶ Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school’s distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

������Ƶ Law has graduated nearly 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings, maintaining a Top 10 placement and an A+ rating each year since 2023. ������Ƶ Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

������Ƶ has applied to the American Bar Association to open a full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program in Charlotte beginning in fall 2027. The ������Ƶ Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched there in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it enrolled its second cohort in fall 2025.

������Ƶ Law received an “A,” the highest rating in of law schools expanding access and success. ������Ƶ Law is among 21 schools to earn an “A” nationally. It is the only law school in North Carolina named to the honor roll and among only three in the Southeast recognized in the list.

Schools were evaluated for the unranked list based on the scope and maturity of their programs, including evidence of scale and measurable impact. According to the National Jurist, institutions rated at an “A” demonstrate “multiple, well-established access strategies that work together to lower barriers to entry and persistence. The Honor Roll is a recognition of meaningful action at a moment when access pathways matter more than ever.”

������Ƶ Law’s distinctive academic model was singled out, noting that its 2.5-year J.D. program and the part-time Flex Program in Charlotte “reduce cost and widen access” to legal education.

The recognition reflects ������Ƶ Law’s continued focus on removing barriers to the legal profession while preparing students for practice through hands-on learning.

“������Ƶ Law is the access law school. It’s who we are, and it’s in everything we do,” said Dean of ������Ƶ Law Zak Kramer. “Our job is to open the door to the legal profession and prepare students to walk through it ready to serve with skill, integrity and purpose.”

The school’s accelerated 2.5-year J.D. program in Greensboro allows students to complete their degree more quickly and enter the profession sooner than traditional law programs. The Flex Program in Charlotte provides a part-time evening pathway designed for working professionals and place-bound students seeking greater flexibility.

������Ƶ and ������Ƶ Law have applied to the American Bar Association to launch a full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program in Charlotte beginning in Fall 2027.

The Honor Roll recognition complements ������Ƶ Law’s strong national reputation for experiential learning. ������Ƶ Law is the only law school in North Carolina to earn an A+ rating for Practical Training from PreLaw Magazine, the National Jurist’s sister publication.  ������Ƶ Law has placed in the top 10 with an A+ rating annually since 2023.

Together, these distinctions highlight ������Ƶ Law’s commitment to expanding access to legal education while ensuring graduates enter the profession with the skills and experience needed to serve clients and communities.

About ������Ƶ Law

������Ƶ Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school’s distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

������Ƶ Law has graduated nearly 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 540 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings, maintaining an A+ rating and Top 10 placement annually since 2023. ������Ƶ Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

In downtown Greensboro, the ������Ƶ Law campus spans several buildings within a two-block radius adjacent to the judicial hub of central North Carolina. Courts a short walk from the law school include the U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Several branches of the North Carolina General Court of Justice, including the Superior, District, Drug Treatment, Mental Health and Small Claims Courts, are within walking distance. Dozens of large, medium and small law firms, as well as municipal offices, are likewise located nearby.

������Ƶ Law is one of only a handful of law schools in the nation to house a working court with the North Carolina Business Court hearing cases in the Robert E. Long Courtroom on the Greensboro campus. The Long Courtroom annually hosts oral arguments of the North Carolina Court of Appeals and has twice welcomed the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

In Charlotte, the ������Ƶ Law Flex Program — a part-time, in-person J.D. program for working professionals and place-bound students, launched in fall 2024. Housed at ������Ƶ’s national campus in Charlotte, the Flex Program is designed to be completed in just under four years. It enrolled its second cohort in fall 2025.

Promoted to Professor: Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Law Patricia Perkins

Promoted to Associate Professor: Assistant Professors Rosa Newman and Srikanth Reddy

Perkins currently serves as associate director of academic affairs, overseeing the academic programs, curricula, student enrollment and registration at the School of Law. Additionally, she teaches courses in constitutional law, civil procedure and others that address the rights of incarcerated people, civil rights litigation and the law of section 1983.

Newman joined the ������Ƶ Law faculty in 2022, and teaches courses in property, wills and trusts, and real estate transactions.

Reddy teaches courses in the Legal Method & Communication Program, judicial writing, and the First Amendment. He joined ������Ƶ Law faculty in 2021.

“Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on these meaningful professional milestones,” ������Ƶ President Connie Ledoux book said in her message to the university community announcing the promotions.