Franklin Pierce School of Law, New Hampshire, USA

About the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law

Founded in 1973,the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law (UNH Franklin Pierce) is New Hampshire’s only law school.

UNH Franklin Pierce is renowned for its top-ranked Intellectual Property Law program and experiential learning through clinics, legal residencies, and the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program—the nation’s only competency-based bar-alternative licensing program developed in collaboration with the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

UNH Franklin Pierce has been at the forefront of innovation in legal education. Students in UNH Franklin Pierce’s Hybrid JD program can choose from two concentrations – Intellectual Property, Technology, and Information Law, or Health and Life Sciences Law. This non-residential program combines online coursework with in-person immersion sessions, catering to working professionals.

With a commitment to producing highly capable, confident professionals throughout its JD, LLM and Legal Master’s programs, UNH Franklin Pierce fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, preparing graduates to serve clients, employers, and the public with integrity and excellence. UNH Franklin Pierce alumni number more than 6,000 in over 80 countries worldwide.

Why Choose UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law?

Founded by inventors and entrepreneurs, UNH Franklin Pierce was established as a law school for the information age and continues to be at the cutting-edge of this field. UNH Franklin Pierce is home to the only academic IP library in the US and is one of only three global IP research facilities.

Residential LLM students can gain hands-on experience through legal clinics, such as the Intellectual Property and Transaction Clinic, where students receive a limited license to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Students may also participate in short-term immersive courses and connect with industry professionals in locations like Silicon Valley, Las Vegas, and Hawaii.

With careful planning, residential students may be able to take the courses required to be eligible to sit for a US bar exam.

The school’s LLM in International Criminal Law and Justice is the only fully online transnational crime program available from an ABA-accredited law school.

LLM students receive a high-level of personalized support from the Office of Career and Academic Advising. This includes guidance on how to prepare résumés and cover letters, develop strong interview skills, and practice effective networking techniques.

The school’s alumni live and work in over 80 countries around the world, including an extensive alumni network in India.

Faculty and staff care about the wellbeing of international students and host cultural events for students throughout the year such as, apple picking, Thanksgiving meals, snow tubing, a trip to the main university campus to see an ice hockey game, maple syrup and pancake breakfasts, and more.

Franklin Pierce School of Law conducted a webinar on “Bridging Borders: Exploring Comparative IP Law and LLM Academic Journeys” on Feb 14, 2025. You can find the recorded webinar here. Professor LaRae-Perez, Director of the Intellectual Property and Transaction Clinic, shared an informative presentation comparing aspects of IP law in the US to IP law in India, and three current LLM students from India discussed what it’s really like to be an LLM student in the USA. You can also enjoy a recording of the November 2024 webinar, “International IP & Entrepreneurship: Practical Insights from UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law” for a discussion on the intersection of IP, entrepreneurship and innovation with practical guidance for professors and alumni.

Courses Offered

Residential programs begin in August and conclude in May. Online programs offer August and January start dates and can be completed full-time in one calendar year, or part-time in up to three years.

Eligibility

Admission to the LLM requires a first professional degree in law. Proof of English language proficiency is also required. This can be met through TOEFL, IELTS, or a bachelor’s degree where English was the medium of instruction.

How to Apply

Detailed information about the application process and requirements can be found at the end of this post. Students can apply through the Law School Admission Council or directly through the school’s website. Required documents include:

• Application form
• Résumé/CV
• Personal Statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Academic Records/Transcripts
• Proof of English Language Proficiency

Last Day to Apply

The priority application deadline for the on-campus/in-person program is May 1. For the online programs, the priority application deadline is July 1 for Fall admission and November 15 for Spring admission.

Recent Accolades and Recognitions

Industry connections and placement successes

Franklin Pierce’s LLM alumni lead intellectual law and policy worldwide and work at global tech giants, multinational corporations, government agencies, and leading international law firms. Many LLM students wish to pursue Optional Practical Training after their degree to work in the US for up to one year. In recent years, students have found jobs such as:

• Contracting Associate at Mass General Brigham Innovation
• Intellectual Property Analyst at TikTok
• IP Legal Assistant at Braven Technologies
• IP Research Intern with the IP Forum at Hudson Institute
• Privacy Analyst at a Medical Center
• International Counsel at DC-Area Law Firm

Read more OPT success stories:

Recent students from India who have returned home after earning their LLM are now working in positions such as:

• Legal Associate at Singh & Singh Law Firm
• Senior Executive for Legal & Compliance Group at Aditya Birla Management Corporation
• Associate at Khaitan & Co.
• Senior Associate at Dodd & Co. (alumni connection)
• Lecturer at O.P. Jindal Global Law School

LLM Student and Alumni Stories

There are several videos and blogposts with students and alumni from India. Click here to read.

Scholarships

Dean’s Scholarship

Awarded to graduate law students who have achieved excellent academic credentials and demonstrate great potential to be a successful member of the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law community.

• Award: Ranges from $5,000-$15,000
• Application: No application is required. Recipients are selected at the time of admission.

Access and Equity Grant

Awarded to select admitted students from international backgrounds who bring strength to the UNH Franklin Pierce law community. A few examples of these strengths include overcoming obstacles/adversity including financial challenges, employment, advanced degrees, and unique skills.

• Award: Ranges from $5,000-$15,000
• Application: No application is required. Recipients are selected at the time of admission.

Professional Experience Award

Awarded to graduate law students in recognition of their years of professional experience.

• Award: Ranges from $500-$5,000
• Application: No application is required. Recipients are selected at the time of admission.

Emerging Professional Award

Awarded to early career graduate law students who show strong potential in their field of study.

• Award: Ranges from $500-$5,000
• Application: No application is required. Recipients are selected at the time of admission.

Franklin Pierce Center Scholarship

Awarded to graduate law students based on their educational background, experience, and/or expressed interest in the field of Intellectual Property and/or Commerce and Technology law.

• Award: Ranges from $500-$3,000
• Application: No application is required. Recipients are selected at the time of admission.

Alumni Referral Scholarship

Awarded to graduate law students who were referred to Franklin Pierce by an alum of the law school.

• Award: $5,000
• Application: No application is required. Applicants should note on their application the name of the alum who referred them. Referring alumni are encouraged to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. This letter can count as one of the applicant’s two required letters of recommendation.

Click here to apply.

Click here to know about the faculty.