Dean Zak Kramer agreed to get an Elon Law tattoo if the Class of 2025 achieved an 85% first-time bar passage rate. Graduates far surpassed that mark last spring.
Elon Law Dean Zak Kramer is nothing if not a man of his word.
Last year, Kramer challenged the Class of 2025 to achieve an overall first-time bar passage rate of 83%, a mark that would have been the highest in Elon Law history.
The class’s Student Bar Association president had a counterproposal: What if they reached 85%? Would the dean get a tattoo?
Kramer said yes.
The Class of 2025 responded with a 90.9% overall first-time bar passage rate across North Carolina and 11 other states.
On Sept. 4, Kramer responded by rolling up his sleeve.
At Frozen Pines Tattoo in Gibsonville, North Carolina, shop co-founder and tattoo artist Annie Bella inked “One and Done” on the dean’s arm, a reference to Elon Law’s slogan around bar preparation and passing the bar examination on the first try.
Law School Dean Zak Kramer kept his promise to the Class of 2025, emblazoning the "One and Done" slogan permanently on his left arm Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
Dean Zak Kramer's expressive face was on full display as he got his "One and Done" tattoo Friday, Sept. 4, at Frozen Pines Tattoo in Gibsonville.
Dean Zak Kramer laughs as Annie Bella of Frozen Pines Tattoo in Gibsonville completes the mark on his left arm.
Artist Annie Bella of Frozen Pines Tattoo in Gibsonville completes detail work on Dean Zak Kramer's tattoo.
Dean Zak Kramer grimaces as tattoo artist Annie Bella of Frozen Pines Tattoo in Gibsonville begins work.
Law School dean Zak Kramer sits for a “1 and done” tattoo on September 04, 2026.
Law School Dean Zak Kramer admires the “One and Done” tattoo on his arm Sept. 04, 2026, at Frozen Pine Tattoo in Gibsonville.
Law School Dean Zak Kramer admires the “One and Done” tattoo on his arm Sept. 04, 2026, at Frozen Pine Tattoo in Gibsonville.
Elon Law Dean Zak Kramer kept his promise to the Class of 2025, emblazoning the "One and Done" slogan permanently on his left arm Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
The tattoo celebrates a significant achievement for the Class of 2025 and Elon Law. In addition to the 90.9% overall first-time passage rate nationwide, class members taking spring exams also achieved a 91.96% first-time passage rate on the North Carolina Bar Examination.
Elon Law’s accelerated 2.5-year J.D. program allows students to graduate in December and take the bar in February, months ahead of the traditional three-year law school timeline.
Kramer isn’t letting the Class of 2026 rest on its predecessors’ success. He’s challenged this December’s graduating class to raise the bar again when they sit for the exam in February.
What kinds of promises will he make them? That remains to be seen.
So, how did this one go?
“Ow,” Kramer said just afterward, “but I’m happy to do it. Proud of the students.”
“A deal’s a deal.”
