Juris Doctor (J.D.)
https://law.unh.edu/program/jd/juris-doctor
Our juris doctor program is rooted in practice-oriented instruction, featuring courses taught by renowned faculty – many of whom have extensive practice experience – as well as five live-client clinics and a far-reaching legal residency (externship) program that provide substantive real-world, hands-on experience. Qualified students can also take part in the Daniel Webster Scholar program, the only program in the country allowing students to graduate client-ready without the need to take the traditional two-day bar exam.
JD students can choose from a robust selection of courses and opt for a curricular track focused on:
- Business Law
- Criminal Law
- Intellectual Property: Patent Law
- Intellectual Property: Trademarks and Copyright
- Sports and Entertainment Law
- Litigation
- Public Interest and Social Justice
Offerings also include dual degrees in partnership with UNH, including JD/MBA, JD/MSW, and JD/MPP, as well as several joint degrees, including JD/LLM in Intellectual Property, and JD/LLM in Commerce and Technology.
In addition, our curriculum allows JD or joint degree candidates to specialize further by earning a JD certificate in a specific area of study:
- JD or dual degree candidates with an interest in sports and entertainment can pursue a JD certificate in sports law, entertainment law or sports and entertainment law from the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute.
- JD and joint degree candidates specializing in intellectual property may opt for a Franklin Pierce Intellectual Property Law JD certificate.
- Students interested in shaping innovative health care policies and research may earn a JD certificate of health law and policy.
Required Courses for Juris Doctor Candidates
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LCR 905 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LGP 900 | The Legal Profession | 1 |
| LGP 909 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LGP 918 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| LGP 920 | Contracts | 4 |
| LGP 952 | Property | 4 |
| LGP 960 | Torts | 3 |
| LSK 900 | Legal Research and Information Literacy | 2 |
| LSK 919 | Legal Analysis and Writing 1 | 2 |
| LSK 920 | Legal Analysis and Writing 2 | 3 |
| Perspectives Course | ||
| LPI 912 | Fundamentals of Law Practice (residential only) | 3 |
| or LIP 944 | Fundamentals of Intellectual Property | |
| Upper Level Required Courses 1 | ||
| LGP 921 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| LGP 951 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| Upper Level Writing Requirement | 2-3 | |
| Upper Level Experiential Learning Requirement | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 46-47 | |
- 1
Upper Level Required Courses—hybrid JD only. Hybrid JD courses must be completed as set forth on the Hybrid JD Curriculum Map established by the Curriculum Committee and posted on the UNH Law website; Curriculum Map may be updated with a minimum of one semester notice to students.
Sample Course Sequence
Residential Degree Candidates
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| LGP 909 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LGP 960 | Torts | 3 |
| LSK 919 | Legal Analysis and Writing 1 | 2 |
| LSK 900 | Legal Research and Information Literacy | 2 |
| LGP 920 | Contracts | 4 |
| LGP 900 | The Legal Profession | 1 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| LGP 918 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| LCR 905 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LSK 920 | Legal Analysis and Writing 2 | 3 |
| LPI 912 or LIP 944 |
Fundamentals of Law Practice or Fundamentals of Intellectual Property |
3 |
| LGP 952 | Property | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Remaining Required Courses in Second or Third Year | ||
| LGP 951 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| LGP 921 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| Upper Level Writing Requirement | 2 or 3 | |
| Experiential Learning Requirement | 6 | |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Total Credits | 46-47 | |
Hybrid Degree Candidates
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| LIP 944 | Fundamentals of Intellectual Property | 1 |
| LSK 919 | Legal Analysis and Writing 1 | 2 |
| LGP 952 | Property | 4 |
| LSK 900 | Legal Research and Information Literacy | 2 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| LSK 920 | Legal Analysis and Writing 2 | 3 |
| LGP 920 | Contracts | 3 |
| LIP 954 | Patent Law | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| LIP 912 | Copyright Law | 3 |
| LGP 909 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LGP 900 | The Legal Profession | 1 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LGP 916 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| LGP 960 | Torts | 3 |
| LIP 977 | Trademarks and Deceptive Practices | 3 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| LGP 903 | Administrative Process | 3 |
| LIP 918 | Trade Secrets Law | 2 |
| LBS 904 | Antitrust Law | 3 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Summer | ||
| Remaining Required Courses in Second or Third Year | ||
| LCR 906 | Criminal Procedure I: The Law of Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| LGP 951 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| LGP 924 | Evidence | 3 |
| Bar Electives | 6 | |
| Upper Level Writing Requirement | 2 or 3 | |
| Experiential Learning Requirement | 6 | |
| Credits | 23-24 | |
| Total Credits | 67-68 | |
- Legal analysis and reasoning: Graduates will be able to identify, comprehend, and apply the relevant substantive and procedural laws to solve a legal issue, informed by an understanding of the diversity of viewpoints on and contexts for any issue.
- Written and oral communication: Graduates will be able to present material effectively in these formats for both objective analytical and advocacy purposes across a range of settings, including in the courtroom.
- Professionalism: Graduates will be able to act in an ethical, respectful, and self-aware manner with all other stakeholders, including clients, employers, and the court.
- Legal research: Graduates will be able to navigate and assess relevant legal authorities using appropriate tools.
- Public service: Graduates will be able to contribute productively to strengthening the justice system, with a sensitivity toward the needs of people facing societal barriers.
- Problem solving: Graduates will be able to engage in focused and pragmatic collaboration toward goals.
- Client counseling and management: Graduates will be able to provide trustworthy and responsive action upon clients’ matters.
- Factual investigation and analysis: Graduates will be able to implement a strategic plan for information-gathering, which includes the ability to iterate on the plan as needed, and evaluate the results of the information obtained.