About Exhibit 509
What this is
Exhibit 509 is a map-driven dashboard that organizes every ABA Standard 509 disclosure into one searchable place. It's free, open to anyone, no account required, and exists so that prospective law students can answer the questions that actually matter: Can I get in? What will it cost? Will I get a job? How does it compare? Is this school improving?
The 509 portal publishes the right data, but it's scattered across hundreds of one-school-one-year PDFs. We re-organize it so disclosures since 2011s across every ABA law school is visible at a glance, side-by-side, with the trend lines in view, because trajectory is information. For exactly how each metric is defined, computed, and sourced, see the methodology and the glossary.
Where the data comes from
Every figure on the site originates from a public source:
The 509 data is the same data the ABA itself publishes at abarequireddisclosures.org; we just re-organize it. The full methodology documents every transformation.
Who built it
509α is a small independent project run by Blake Vrechek. The community lives at skool.com/509alpha: the full historical dataset, the spreadsheet behind this site, and ongoing discussion all live there. If you find a number that looks wrong, tell us; data errors get fixed.
Why you can trust it, and how it stays free
The honest version: the data is free, and it stays free. Exhibit 509 takes no money from rankings, sponsored placement, or ads, sells no rankings and no "sponsored" schools, doesn't sell your data, and sets no tracking cookies of its own (the privacy policy lists every third-party asset it loads: Leaflet, OpenStreetMap; fonts are self-hosted). It is built and run independently, not by a school, a ranking, or a test-prep company. Exhibit is self-funded, no outside money, no investors, no sponsors. The only paid, entirely optional service is a 1:1 advisory call; the data itself is free, and it stays free either way. Nothing on the site is gated, scored, or held back: you never need an account to see anything.
What people are saying
Unsolicited notes from applicants and readers.
“Your website is incredible! It really takes the work out of sifting through school websites and the 509s!”
“Thank you for continuing to encourage applicants to focus on factors other than the rankings!”
“Really interesting to see this data all in one place. Thanks a lot!”
“Great to see a school’s performance over time. Thanks!”
“This is spectacularly displayed and informative. Thanks for compiling it and sharing!”
“Wow! Compelling data, thank you for sharing.”
“This is such an illuminating post! Thank you for sharing.”
“This is insane. Thanks!”
Contact & direct channels
Exhibit is built and maintained by Blake Vrechek. The fastest way to reach me is one of the channels below.
Send a message
Data correction, an idea, a recommendation, or to hear when a new dataset cycle ships: it comes straight to my inbox.
For specific things
- Data correction: the fastest path is the message form above; include the school name and field and it routes straight to me.
- Press / interview: email is best.
- Security disclosure: email [email protected] rather than disclosing publicly.
- Email updates when new dataset cycles ship: ask in the form above.
Data & provenance
Open the Exhibit map Methodology Corrections log Terms & Privacy
● Sourced from ABA Standard 509 required disclosures · Last synced June 26, 2026