| University of New Hampshire School of Law | |
| Motto | Inspiring Excellence |
|---|---|
| Established | 1973 |
| School type | Private |
| Endowment | $15.2 million[1] |
| Dean | John T. Broderick, Jr. |
| Location | Concord, New Hampshire, USA |
| Enrollment | 513 |
| Faculty | 43 |
| USNWR ranking | 143 |
| Bar pass rate | 83% |
| Annual tuition | $35,300 |
| Website | http://law.unh.edu |
| ABA profile | UNH Law Profile |
The University of New Hampshire School of Law, formerly the Franklin Pierce Law Center,[2] is an American Bar Association-accredited law school located in Concord, New Hampshire. It is the only law school in the state. It was founded in 1973 by Robert H. Rines as the Franklin Pierce Law Center, named after the 14th President of the United States and New Hampshire native Franklin Pierce. The school is particularly well known for its Intellectual Property Law program.[3] On April 27, 2010, Franklin Pierce Law Center formally signed an agreement to affiliate with the University of New Hampshire, pending approval by accrediting agencies.[4]
Contents |
UNH Law offers both JD and Master's programs in the law. The school awards Master of Laws in Intellectual Property (L.L.M-IP), Master of Laws in Commerce and Technology (LLM-CT) and Master of Law in International Criminal Law and Justice (L.L.M-ICLJ). It is the only law school offering a graduate degree in intellectual property designed for scientists, engineers and any interested persons not holding a law degree (M.I.P.).[5]
In February 2011, UNH Law has entered into an exchange agreement with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, KoGuan Law School allowing students from each institution to enroll abroad for a semester. Classes in both countries will be taught in English and credits will transfer to the student's home school.[2]
The school holds several summer programs in the law that are open to students from other schools, including: the China Intellectual Property Summer Institute in cooperation with Tsinghua University Law School in Beijing; the eLaw Summer Institute in collaboration with the University College Cork Faculty of Law in Cork, Ireland; the Intellectual Property Summer Institute, hosted at UNH Law's main campus; and the Advanced Topics in International Criminal Law and Justice Seminar in Washington, D.C.[6]
In 2005, the New Hampshire Supreme Court launched an alternative bar licensing process at the state's only law school, Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the UNH School of Law). The Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program, a collaboration of the Court, UNH School of Law, the New Hampshire Board of Bar Examiners, and the New Hampshire Bar Association, is an intensive practice-based honors program that encompasses the last two years of law school. Students apply to the program during the spring of their 1L (first) year. Enrollment in the program is limited to 20 students per class year for 40 total.[7]
Once accepted to the program, students go through a rigorous program of clinical experiences under the supervision of judges, lawyers, and bar examiners, and compile a portfolio of work. Graduates of the program must pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination and meet character and fitness requirements to be admitted to the New Hampshire bar, but are exempt from taking the state's bar examination. Webster Scholar graduates may still qualify to sit for the bar examination in any other U.S. jurisdiction.[8]
The first class of Webster Scholars graduated in 2008.
Students at UNH Law run a variety of professional and cultural organizations, including the Student Bar Association (SBA) which serves as the student government. Students participate in two law journals -- IDEA: The Intellectual Property Law Review,[9] and the University of New Hampshire Law Review[10] -- and send Moot Court teams to competitions around the United States.[11] Other active organizations include:
During Orientation Week, the school offers an annual ice cream social. Fall mid-terms are followed closely each year by the Buck Bowl,[34] an intramural touch football tournament, and the JIVE! talent show. With a tradition rich in public service, the school hosts The Bruce Friedman Community Service Day each year, honoring the late professor Bruce E. Friedman, an advocate of social justice.[35]
Students from around the world attend UNH Law, and the school celebrates the traditions and cultures of its many international students throughout the year. The school hosts events such as Lunar New Year, the Indian "festival of lights" or Diwali, an Afro-Caribbean Night and a Christmas party.[36]
Each summer, UNH Law holds the Intellectual Property Summer Institute, during which barbecues have become a tradition on evenings during summer.[37]
UNH Law is among the top intellectual property law schools in the United States. In its 2011 edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools", U.S. News & World Report ranked UNH Law's program 4th in the nation in the intellectual property specialty rankings. On April 27, 2010, Franklin Pierce Law Center formally signed an affiliation agreement with the University of New Hampshire.[38] The school was named the University of New Hampshire School of Law when the affiliation became effective. The median private sector starting salary for graduates (self-reported) was $120,000.[39] As of 2011, among all ranked law schools, UNH Law is 143rd.[40]
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||