Franklin Pierce Law Center
Encyclopedia
43°12′26"N 71°32′45"W
The University of New Hampshire School of Law, formerly the Franklin Pierce Law Center, 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. 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.
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.).
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.
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.
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.
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, and the University of New Hampshire Law Review -- and send Moot Court teams to competitions around the United States. Other active organizations include:
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 India
n "festival of lights" or Diwali
, an Afro-Caribbean Night and a Christmas
party.
Each summer, UNH Law holds the Intellectual Property Summer Institute, during which barbecues have become a tradition on evenings during summer.
. 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. As of 2011, among all ranked law schools, UNH Law is 143rd.
The University of New Hampshire School of Law, formerly the Franklin Pierce Law Center, is an American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
-accredited law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
located in Concord, New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
. It is the only law school in the state. It was founded in 1973 by Robert H. Rines
Robert H. Rines
Robert H. Rines was an American lawyer, inventor, researcher, and composer. He was also well known for his efforts to find the legendary "Loch Ness Monster."-Biography:...
as the Franklin Pierce Law Center, named after the 14th President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
native Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
. The school is particularly well known for its Intellectual Property Law program. On April 27, 2010, Franklin Pierce Law Center formally signed an agreement to affiliate with the University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
, pending approval by accrediting agencies.
Academic programs
UNH Law offers both JDJuris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
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.).
Exchange programs
In February of 2011, UNH Law has entered into an exchange agreement with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, KoGuan Law SchoolShanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University or SJTU), sometimes referred to as Shanghai Jiaotong University , is a top public research university located in Shanghai, China. Shanghai Jiao Tong University is known as one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China...
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.
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
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University , colloquially known in Chinese as Qinghua, is a university in Beijing, China. The school is one of the nine universities of the C9 League. It was established in 1911 under the name "Tsinghua Xuetang" or "Tsinghua College" and was renamed the "Tsinghua School" one year later...
Law School in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
; the eLaw Summer Institute in collaboration with the University College Cork Faculty of Law in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
; 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.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program
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.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
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination is a one hundred twenty five minute, sixty question, multiple-choice examination designed to measure the knowledge and understanding of established standards related to a lawyer's professional conduct...
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.
The first class of Webster Scholars graduated in 2008.
Student life
- American Constitution Society
- Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)
- Black Law Student Association
- Christian Legal Society
- Entertainment Law Society
- Federalist Society
- Hillel
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- International Intellectual Property Organization
- J. Reuben Clark Law Society
- Lambda LegalLambda LegalLambda Legal is an American civil rights organization that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities as well as people living with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.Lambda's founder William J. Thom, Esq...
- Licensing Executive Society
- Outdoors Club
- Patent Law Forum
- Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity (PAD)
- Significant Others and Spouses Organization
- South Asian Law Students Association
- Student Intellectual Property Law Association (SIPLA)
- Sports Club
- Taiwanese Student Association
- Teen Court
- Women's Law Student Association
Traditions and activities
During Orientation Week, the school offers an annual ice cream social. Fall mid-terms are followed closely each year by the Buck Bowl, 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.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 India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n "festival of lights" or Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
, an Afro-Caribbean Night and a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
party.
Each summer, UNH Law holds the Intellectual Property Summer Institute, during which barbecues have become a tradition on evenings during summer.
Reputation
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 HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
. 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. As of 2011, among all ranked law schools, UNH Law is 143rd.
Publications
- University of New Hampshire Law Review, formerly Pierce Law Review
- IDEA: The Intellectual Property Law ReviewIDEA: The Intellectual Property Law ReviewIDEA: The Intellectual Property Law Review is a law review published by an independent student organization at the Franklin Pierce Law Center for Intellectual Property at the University of New Hampshire School of Law....
, a student-run academic law journal - Pierce Law Magazine, an alumni magazine
Notable faculty
- John T. Broderick, Jr.John T. Broderick, Jr.John T. Broderick, Jr. is a former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. He served as Associate Justice of the court from 1995 to 2004 and as its Chief Justice from 2004 to 2010. Broderick holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.A. from the College of the...
, Dean and President; former New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice - John D. Hutson, former Dean and President
- Mary W. S. WongMary W. S. WongMary Wong is a professor at the Franklin Pierce Law Center at the University of New Hampshire in Concord, New Hampshire, U.S.A. Mary Wong currently teaches Advanced Topics in Copyright, Copyright, Copyright Licensing and Intellectual Property in the Information Society...
Notable alumni
- Samuel Der-YeghiayanSamuel Der-YeghiayanSamuel Der-Yeghiayan is a United States federal judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Confirmed in 2003, he is noteworthy for being the first Armenian immigrant federal judge in the United States....
, United States federal judgeUnited States federal judgeIn the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
for the Northern District of IllinoisUnited States District Court for the Northern District of IllinoisThe United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is the trial-level court with jurisdiction over the northern counties of Illinois.... - Donna EdwardsDonna EdwardsDonna F. Edwards is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2008. She is a member of the Democratic Party...
, U.S. Representative (D–Maryland 4th DistrictMaryland's 4th congressional districtMaryland's 4th congressional district comprises portions of Prince George's and Montgomery County. The seat is currently represented by Donna Edwards, a Democrat, who has represented the district since 2008....
) - Frank GuintaFrank GuintaFrank Guinta is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, an alderman, a state representative and a congressional aide.- Early life, education, and business career :...
, former mayor of Manchester, New HampshireManchester, New HampshireManchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
and current U.S. Representative (R–New Hampshire 1st DistrictNew Hampshire's 1st congressional districtNew Hampshire's 1st congressional district covers the southeastern part of New Hampshire. The district consists of three general areas: Greater Manchester, the Seacoast and the Lakes Region....
) (Master of Intellectual Property) - Evelyn HandlerEvelyn HandlerEvelyn Erika Handler served from 1980 to 1983 as the University of New Hampshire's fourteenth and first female president. In 1983, Handler was inaugurated as President of Brandeis University, where she was also the first woman to hold that position...
, former president of the University of New HampshireUniversity of New HampshireThe University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
and Brandeis UniversityBrandeis UniversityBrandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it... - Christopher L. IrvingChristopher L. IrvingChristopher L. Irving is the Assistant Vice President of Consumer, Government, Legal Communications & Affairs for Publishers Clearing House in Port Washington, New York...
, former Consumer Advocate for the City of New York - Roger MannoRoger MannoRoger Manno is an American politician. He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006 to represent the 19th Legislative District, and in 2010 was elected to the Maryland State Senate.-Background:...
, MarylandMarylandMaryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
politician - William J. Murphy, former Speaker of the House, Rhode Island House of RepresentativesRhode Island House of RepresentativesThe Rhode Island House of Representatives is the lower house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 75 members, elected to two year terms from 75 districts of equal population. The Rhode Island General Assembly does not have...
- Tim Ryan, U.S. Representative (D–Ohio 17th DistrictOhio's 17th congressional districtThe 17th congressional district of Ohio is currently represented by Representative Timothy J. Ryan. This district sits in northeastern Ohio, bordering Pennsylvania along one edge, and includes the cities of Kent, Ravenna, Warren and Youngstown, as well as part of Akron.This district will become...
)