As 2025 comes to a close, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) reflects on a year marked by leadership change, academic strength, expanded partnerships, and meaningful accomplishments by students, faculty, and alumni. Each milestone reinforced the school’s mission to provide a rigorous legal education, prepare principled advocates, and contribute to the legal profession and the communities it serves.
Leadership
The year brought a significant leadership transition with the appointment of Martin L. Ellin as AJMLS’s 11th Dean and CEO. His arrival signals a renewed focus on strategic direction and community engagement.
The law school also extends deep appreciation to Dean Emeritus Jace C. Gatewood, who led AJMLS for five and a half years. During his tenure, the school transitioned to nonprofit status, established the John Marshall Law School Foundation to strengthen fundraising and scholarship support, and completed construction of a new campus with modern facilities. His leadership leaves a lasting imprint on both the institution and the city of Atlanta.
Academic Excellence and Bar Passage Success
AJMLS continued to build academic momentum with the arrival of the Fall 2025 class. The cohort posted a median LSAT score of 152 and brought with it a wide range of personal and professional experiences. The school’s commitment to valuing life experience remains central to its academic culture, strengthening classroom dialogue and preparation for practice. The school reported historically high bar passage rates for recent graduating classes. The Class of 2022 achieved a 92.45 percent ultimate two-year bar pass rate, the highest in recent history. The Class of 2023 followed with a 90 percent rate. In preparation for the July 2025 Georgia Bar Exam, students completed 1,260 engagement hours through structured workshops, with hundreds more logged through individual and small-group support.
Accolades and Program Expansion
PreLaw Magazine recognized AJMLS as the #7 law school for diversity and a top law school for criminal law with an A- ranking. These distinctions appropriately reflect the school’s values and its specialized criminal law programming. AJMLS also continued to offer flexible academic pathways, including full-time, part-time day, and part-time evening programs, supporting students balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
A defining moment of 2025 was the launch of the Criminal and Civil Justice Institute at the Igniting Change event. Developed in partnership with Gideon’s Promise and the Barristers Society, the institute provides students and alumni with practical experience alongside experienced practitioners in criminal defense, civil rights, and plaintiff personal injury. Gideon’s Promise also received a $25,000 grant from the Georgia Bar Foundation to support CCJI’s work at AJMLS.
The institute’s inaugural cohort participated in internships and externships designed to sharpen legal skills while addressing critical needs in the justice system, demonstrating AJMLS’s commitment to practical and impactful experiential learning. Since its launch, CCJI staff and law partners have placed 10 students in internships and externships and hosted eight on-campus programs.
Student Centric Support and Career Opportunities
AJMLS expanded experiential learning opportunities in 2025 by adding dozens of new pre-approved externship sites and more than 60 new internship placements. These partnerships represent sustained relationships with organizations committed to mentoring AJMLS students. Career preparation remained a priority, with students attending more than 35 job fairs over the past year.
Student support services also grew. The addition of TimelyCare expanded access to virtual mental, emotional, and physical health resources. New financial initiatives included reimbursement for Atlanta Bar Association events and the creation of a Student Emergency Relief Fund to assist students facing unexpected financial hardship.
Sixty-three student organization leaders completed trauma-informed behavior training, equipping them to lead with empathy and de-escalate challenging situations. Programming that supports professional and personal development continued through the Student Ambassador Program, Peer Mentoring Program, Professionalism Program Series, Wellness Wednesday Series, On Campus Interviews, Mock Interview Program, Attorney Mentoring Program, Bar Prep: Score More Saturdays, and Bar Prep: Work-on-it-Wednesdays.
The Faculty
In 2025, AJMLS faculty made notable contributions to scholarship, public dialogue, and professional service. Collectively, the full-time faculty bring more than 300 years of teaching experience at AJMLS and over 200 years of legal practice nationwide.
Early in the year, Professors Joanna Apolinsky and Jeffrey Van Detta were recognized for their legal work cited by federal courts, highlighting the impact of their scholarship. Professor Jeffrey A. Van Detta also celebrated the publication of his latest article in the University of Miami Law Review, reinforcing his voice in conflict-of-laws jurisprudence. Professor Jonathan Rapping’s published remarks elevated the national conversation on justice reform and AJMLS’s commitment to advocacy through the Criminal Justice Certificate Program and the Criminal and Civil Justice Institute. Professor Kari Dalton, Director of the Legal Writing Program, presented on artificial intelligence and legal writing to The Home Depot’s corporate legal department. Professor Lance McMillian engaged audiences across Georgia, including law students, judges, and bar associations, by sharing insights on legal writing and the craft of fiction. Professor Suparna Malempati continued her service to the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) on the Amicus Committee as well as Judge pro tem at the Fulton County Juvenile Court. Professor Elizabeth Jaffe garnered national media attention for her expertise on digital safety and “swatting,” bringing AJMLS scholarship to the forefront of public safety discussions. Faculty work in 2025 strengthened the school’s academic profile and public impact, with new courses and scholarship on the horizon.
The Students
In 2025, AJMLS students earned a range of academic and leadership honors that reflect their dedication and ambition. Student leaders and organizations played a central role in shaping campus life through a full slate of Student Bar Association programming focused on connection, leadership, and professional development. The SBA hosted Welcome Week, Homecoming Week, and the Black History Dinner, along with recurring General Body Meetings that promoted transparency and student engagement across class years. Community-centered events such as the SBA Breakfast Bar and Dean & Donuts created opportunities for informal connection with peers and law school leadership. Students also gathered to celebrate and build tradition at the Halloween Scarristers Ball and Spring Barristers Ball.
Service and access remained priorities throughout the year. The Dream Closet continued to provide free professional clothing to students, while food and clothing drives supported the broader Atlanta community. Professional development programming included the Georgia Courts Judicial Panel: Advice for Future Litigators, offering direct insight from members of the judiciary. This work was amplified by a strong network of student organizations that consistently planned and delivered thoughtful, high-impact programming, welcoming members of the legal community and the public to campus year-round.
Alumni Impact
AJMLS alumni remained deeply engaged throughout the year. Graduates hosted multiple Dinner with Six Strangers events, participated in student panels, and returned to campus to mentor current students. The annual Alumni Social provided another opportunity for connection across classes.
The Alumni Association welcomed new board officers and hosted a Mass Swearing-In Ceremony, recognizing 40 alumni before the Georgia Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Georgia, and Fulton County Superior Court. Giving Day 2025, All Rise for AJMLS, raised $27,264 and exceeded its goal. In total, $185,616 in Development and Alumni Relations scholarships supported 25 students during the year.
The work of 2025 reflects a community committed to access, excellence, and service. AJMLS enters the next year grounded in its mission and focused on the continued preparation of lawyers equipped to serve the public and strengthen the profession.