Juris Doctor: Residential (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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LCR 905 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LGP 909 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LGP 918 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| LGP 900 | The Legal Profession | 1 |
| LGP 920 | Contracts | 4 |
| LGP 952 | Property | 4 |
| LGP 960 | Torts | 3 |
| LSK 921 | Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research I | 3 |
| LSK 922 | Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research II | 3 |
| Perspectives Course | ||
| LPI 912 | Fundamentals of Law Practice | 3 |
| or LIP 944 | Fundamentals of Intellectual Property | |
| Upper Level Required Courses | ||
| LGP 921 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| LGP 951 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| Upper Level Writing Requirement | 2 | |
| Upper Level Experiential Learning Requirement | 6 | |
| Elective Courses | 40 | |
| Total Credits | 85 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| LGP 909 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LGP 920 | Contracts | 4 |
| LSK 921 | Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research I | 3 |
| LGP 900 | The Legal Profession | 1 |
| LGP 960 | Torts | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| LGP 918 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| LCR 905 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LPI 912 or LIP 944 | Fundamentals of Law Practice or Fundamentals of Intellectual Property | 3 |
| LSK 922 | Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research II | 3 |
| LGP 952 | Property | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LGP 921 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| LGP 951 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| LGP 921 & LGP 951 may be completed in subsequent terms. It is suggested to complete LGP 951 during the 2L year of study | ||
| Elective Courses | 8-11 | |
| Credits | 14-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper Level Writing Requirement | 2 - 3 | |
| Experiential Learning Requirement | 6 | |
| Elective Courses | 6-8 | |
| Credits | 14-17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective Courses | 13-17 | |
| Remaining Required Courses in Third Year | ||
| Credits | 13-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective Courses | 13-17 | |
| Remaining Required Courses in Third Year | ||
| Credits | 13-17 | |
| Total Credits | 85-99 | |
- 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.