Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) has officially welcomed the Fall 2025 entering class: 138 new students whose credentials speak volumes, but whose stories speak even louder. This is a class defined not only by strong academic performance but also by remarkable personal and professional journeys that make them uniquely prepared for the study of law.
Credentials that Inspire Confidence
The entering class boasts a median LSAT score of 152 (with a high of 165) and a median GPA of 3.12 (with a high of 4.0). The group includes 93 full-time and 45 part-time students, 67% of whom are women. They represent 61 undergraduate institutions and 38 different majors, illustrating the diversity of academic pathways leading to law school. With 66% of the entering class identifying as minorities, this cohort mirrors Atlanta itself: a city where diversity and ambition meet naturally in the pursuit of justice.
The financial commitment to their success is equally impressive: 90% of incoming students received a merit scholarship, representing $2.3 million in awards.
But numbers only begin to tell the story.
Students with Stories, the Mission
AJMLS provides the opportunity for legal education to both traditional and non-traditional students who show promise of making positive contributions to the profession, legal system, or society. This class embodies the school’s belief: that life experiences are welcomed and students with stories make the best lawyers.
- Global roots: Students come from 11 birth countries and speak 9 native languages, yet 83% are Georgia residents committed to serving their communities.
- Advanced scholars: 14% of the class holds advanced degrees, bringing graduate-level expertise into the classroom.
- Professional experience: Nearly half—48%—arrive with legal experience, including 37 paralegals, a Bar Character and Fitness Investigative Analyst, and an administrator in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Depth Beyond the Data
Many students enter law school with unique professional and personal achievements that broaden perspectives in the classroom:
- Healthcare backgrounds: From certified nursing assistants and pharmacy technicians to veterinary assistants, 12% have worked in healthcare.
- Educators: 17% are former teachers, including a high school special education teacher who has already shaped young lives.
- Business & finance leaders: This class includes a CFO, CPA, accountants, bankers, insurance adjusters, and a mortgage loan originator, blending real-world problem-solving with legal ambition.
- Creative voices: Future attorneys arrive with experiences as a filmmaker, actor, grant writer, copywriter, and film production assistant.
- Leadership & service: They’ve led Girl Scout troops, coached tennis and dance, instructed cycling, and earned Eagle Scout distinction.
Veterans and Public Servants
Nine members of the class have served in the armed forces—including a combat veteran, a National Guard helicopter pilot, a third-generation Marine, and an unmanned aircraft systems operator. Others have protected communities as police officers, worked as political consultants and campaign directors, and interned in Congress.
Extraordinary Distinctions
Some stories are unforgettable:
- A cancer survivor beginning a new chapter.
- A mother and daughter entering law school together.
- Twin brothers who chose the same path.
- A national champion in policy debate.
- A start-up entrepreneur who built multiple successful businesses.
- Two Major League Baseball Limited Certified Agents.
- A MENSA member, a mechanical engineer, a jewelry store manager, and a Division I swimmer.
From equestrian athletes to social workers, bankers to cybersecurity officers, this class brings an energy and richness of experience that ensures no two classroom discussions will ever be the same.
Whole Applicants, Whole People
The average age of incoming students is 28 (32 in the part-time program, 27 in the full-time program), reflecting a balance of recent graduates and seasoned professionals. Each one has demonstrated resilience, ambition, and the ability to bring their whole story into the practice of law.
Admissions Office representatives said it best: “We do not admit numbers; we admit people. Each of these students has lived experiences that will make them not only excellent law students, but empathetic and impactful lawyers.”
Welcoming the Future of Law
With this entering class, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School continues to strengthen its reputation as a home for aspiring lawyers who bring more than just academic excellence—they bring character, perspective, and purpose.
This is more than a new class. It is a new chapter in the school’s legacy of producing lawyers who are ready to serve, lead, and advocate with both skill and heart.
Welcome to Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.