Law school isn’t just about what you learn inside the classroom. It’s about the professors you meet who will become your mentors. It’s about the classmates you will study with who will become lifelong friends and colleagues. It’s about the new experiences you’ll have which will shape the way you advance your career.
Professors, staff, and students at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law understand law school is more than just class. It’s about the relationships you make. And their approach is working.
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UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law is ranked second in New England and 13th in the entire country for jobs on the open market; those are jobs not funded by law schools. Nearly ninety-five percent of UNH Law’s 2018 JD graduates were employed within 10 months of graduation. It’s consistently ranked among the top 10 law schools for intellectual property law according to US News and World Report.
But don’t take our word for it. Hear from graduate students about the extraordinary time they’re having at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law.
Engaging classes and weekend shenanigans
Olivia Sun from China didn’t expect law school to be so much fun.
Olivia had previously studied accounting in business school, an experience quite different from her Master’s in Commerce and Technology at UNH Law.
“In business school, the emphasis was on using tools and models to solve problems with shortcuts. I didn’t speak much and was focused on completing routine tasks and crunching numbers,” she said.
These days, it’s more balanced. She usually gets up at 7am, grabs breakfast and reviews her readings before heading to class. One of her favourite classes is E-Commerce Law. Taught by Professor William Murphy, this is a class with some of the most engaging material on how emerging technologies are changing the future of legal practice, according to Olivia.
“It has helped me realise the rapid rate at which e-commerce is evolving, and that practicing law in the digital age will be disrupted and diversified compared to how we practice today,” she said.
Lunch times are always filled with gatherings with friends to discuss lessons, before going to the library or heading home for the day. Olivia has established a daily jogging routine with her friends, gone hiking, shopping, visited nearby cities on the weekends and even toured one of America’s treasured National Parks, Acadia National Park in Maine at peak foliage season.
It’s an itinerary that has helped her reap some of the biggest benefits of international education as well as develop valuable skills for the future.
“Studying abroad in a law school has developed my independence, critical thinking and confidence in problem solving,” she said.
Distinguished yet highly approachable faculty
Vinicius Silva Damasceno, 23, is studying for an LLM in Commerce and Technology at UNH Law.
For the Brazilian, a typical day consists of traveling from nearby Dover, a small city on the sea coast, to campus for classes. He studies at the library and works at the Admission Office, where he helps prospective LLM students who want to learn more about his experience at Franklin Pierce.
Vinicius talks about the amazing facilities and faculty at UNH Law.
“International students have access to everything the university provides! The library is amazing, the faculty members are always there to help, there is always free food, and most importantly, the professors are very accessible!”
Despite being made up of distinguished experts and accomplished attorneys, the faculty at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law are some of the most approachable people Vinicius has ever met. They not only keep pace and tailor courses to keep the curriculum current, but also go the extra mile to ensure every student is supported throughout their education journey.
“Every professor is just a knock on the door away, and they help us in many ways,” he said.
Engaging classes
Danielle Alroy can’t choose. When the student in UNH Law’s LLM in Intellectual Property was asked what her favourite classes were, she said she loved them all.
Technology Licensing gives her applicable tools for practice. Entertainment Law is always enjoyable because she gets to practice negotiations and writing. E-commerce and the Law is very interesting because it opens her mind to current topics and helps prepare her to be a 21st century lawyer.
“It is like a dream,” the 30-year-old Israeli said.
Recently, the law school also held its first immersive classroom experience in Silicon Valley. The class was taught by vice president and chief patent counsel for Microsoft Micky Minhas, who is a JD/LLM alum of UNH Franklin Pierce, and also a Franklin Pierce Distinguished Professor of Practice.
A group of experts from leading companies – which included Apple, Dolby Laboratories, Fox Entertainment, Google, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Samsung, and Uber, among others – presented on pressing patent, trademark and copyright challenges their companies face.
“Bringing our classroom to Silicon Valley allowed our students the invaluable opportunity to hear directly from experts in the field and understand the unique challenges they face,” said Megan Carpenter, dean of UNH Law.
To complement these engaging classes, there is always food on campus and candy in the library. Social events are held every day, as well as regular extra-curricular activities. Activities include sporting events, game nights, outdoor recreation, lunch and learn discussions, and holiday and cultural celebrations. The school also provides support with housing and immigration needs and makes mental health services available on campus.
As Danielle sums it up: “I especially enjoy the curriculum and the support that the school gives to foreign students. They truly have our backs.”
The University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law is currently accepting applications for its graduate law programs. Students are encouraged to apply by May 1 for priority consideration. For more information, click here, or contact them on WhatsApp at +1-603-513-5300.
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