University of New Hampshire (UNH) - Franklin Pierce School of Law

The University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law offers fully in-person and fully online post-graduate degrees for lawyers (LLM). The law school offers degrees in three specialized areas of the law: Commerce & Technology, Intellectual Property, and International Criminal Law and Justice. 

LLM in Intellectual Property In-Person and Online

Our top-ranked IP law program prepares you for the IP issues of the future. You will learn the unique ways the US IP system fuels business and innovation across the globe. With more than half our faculty having IP expertise, you will learn from experts at the forefront of the field and take classes from one of the most comprehensive lists of IP and technology law courses in the US. Gain hands-on experience with opportunities to participate in clinics and immersive classroom experiences. This program is offered in-person and online.

LLM in Commerce & Technology

The Commerce & Technology LLM focuses on enriching your career in the emerging areas of business created by rapid technological change and globalization. You will learn how the legal system in the US and abroad is accommodating the challenges of the information age as the economy, society, and our everyday lives are transformed by new and emerging technologies. Students choose courses in areas such as: intellectual property ownership and management, privacy and cybersecurity, blockchain and its legal implications, and artificial intelligence-enhanced legal and regulatory decision-making. You will gain unique knowledge that is invaluable in today’s evolving digital and data-driven economy.

LLM in International Criminal Law & Justice

As the only fully online transnational crime program available in the US by an ABA-approved law school, UNH Franklin Pierce is a leader in this emerging field. In the International Criminal Law and Justice LL.M. you will learn about fast-paced developments in the globalization of commerce, terrorism, human rights, and criminal law. You can complete this LL.M. 100% online.

Please see the school's website for information about which program and format best suits your needs.

The University of New Hampshire was founded in 1866. The University of New Hampshire combines the living and learning environment of a New England liberal arts college with the breadth, spirit of discovery, and civic commitment of a land-grant research institution.

UNH spans all fields of study and unites them through interdisciplinary programs, labs, research centers, libraries, internships, and fieldwork. Warmly supported and encouraged by their faculty mentors, students participate directly in assisting in the University's historic mission of enriching society through the creation and application of new knowledge. With more than 14,000 students from across the country and globe, UNH embodies the diversity that symbolizes the finest in U.S. education.

The University of New Hampshire is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and UNH Franklin Pierce is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.

Founded by inventors and entrepreneurs, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law is a pioneering powerhouse. We are committed to training the next generation of lawyers through an emphasis on practice-based learning. UNH Franklin Pierce prepares students for their careers, offering unique opportunities to practice skills, work side-by-side with faculty, and network with global leaders. Our active and close-knit community ensures that you will build relationships that last throughout your career. Upon graduation you will join the ranks of our 6,000 alumni in more than 80 countries! We offer specialized LLM degrees in Intellectual Property, Commerce and Technology Law, and International Criminal Law and Justice, with residential and online formats. Generous partial-tuition scholarships are available.

You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through legal clinics. For example, students in the Intellectual Property and Transaction Clinic receive a limited license to practice for the United States Patent and Trademark Office and help clients with business ventures, including IP strategy and execution, business transactions, and licensing. In the International Technology Transfer Institute, you will work with organizations such as the World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Bank to help advance science, technology and innovation in developing countries via advocacy, education and capacity building in IP management, technology transfer, and patent information systems.

You will be trained in the techniques of legal writing and research as practiced in the US, and have full access to the school’s Academic Success Program. You will also work with an academic advisor and faculty mentor on your course plan.

Upon graduation, students join a global network of alumni from more than 80 countries who are leading IP law and policy in countries like Argentina, Nigeria, and Taiwan, as well as for global tech giants, top law firms, and national IP offices.

Accredited by the American Bar Association, the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law is located in Concord, New Hampshire, home to the state's legislature, state offices, as well as local, state and U.S. federal courts.

UNH Franklin Pierce’s faculty are scholars, teachers, and mentors focused on preparing students to become the next generation of lawyers. Faculty stay connected to students from enrollment to graduation to career success and beyond. UNH Franklin Pierce’s small class sizes ensure LL.M. students have access to their professors, and faculty get to know every student in their classes. These bonds create an exceptional academic experience and ensure LL.M. students can create strong social and professional networks that thrive well beyond graduation.

Visit the school's website for a listing of faculty.

Upon graduation, students join a global network of alumni from more than 80 countries who are leading IP law and policy in countries like Argentina, Nigeria, and Taiwan, as well as for global tech giants, top law firms, and national IP offices.in countries such as India, South Korea, China, Brazil and more.

International applicants to the LL.M. program must hold a first professional degree in law - typically the Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B.) -from a foreign law school. Domestic applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a J.D. degree from a law school prior to matriculation. International applicants who did not receive a law degree where the medium of instruction was English must also submit TOEFL scores of 80+ or IELTS scores of 6.5+.

Learn more here.

Candidates may submit their applications through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) or through UNH Franklin Pierce's website. Please visit the how to apply section of our website for more information and for a list of required documentation.

The application requirements include a completed application form; academic records; two letters of recommendation; a personal statement and a résumé or CV. International applicants must also submit proof of English language proficiency – either the TOEFL or IELTS exam.  

Cost of tuition for the 2022-2023 Academic Year is $41,000 for the in-person program and $1,310/credit for the online program. Additional information about tuition and fees is available here.

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law offers generous, partial-tuition scholarships to qualified students in both our in-person and distance learning programs. Applicants are considered for scholarships on the basis of both merit and financial need. There is no separate application process for scholarships, but students should indicate on their application that they would like to be considered for scholarship funding. 

The University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law is located in Concord, New Hampshire, just steps away from the state capitol building and all branches of state government. Concord's vibrant downtown offers a wealth of restaurants, events, and cultural happenings. The surrounding region, including New Hampshire's beautiful seacoast, the White Mountains National Forest, and the nearby Lakes Region, is rich with recreational activities for any season.

Boston is one hour away and Montreal and New York City are about five hours by car. Manchester Boston Regional Airport (MHT), located approximately 20 miles from the law school, offers jet service to national and international destinations on most major airlines. Buses provide almost hourly travel to Boston and Logan Airport.

US News and World Report ranked New Hampshire the #1 safest state and the #4 state overall in the United States.

Most students find housing within walking distance to campus and downtown. UNH Franklin Pierce has a partnership with Places4Students.com, a company that specializes in providing off-campus housing solutions for students. This service is FREE for students to use as an effective method of finding a place to live off-campus or finding a roommate. The student life housing webpage has more information about searching for housing, as well as a housing guide that contains reviews and advice from current students.

Many students live near the campus in quaint homes divided into one and two-bedroom apartments. A variety of housing types and arrangements are available close to the school. Over 60% of students live within walking distance, 75% live in the greater Concord area, while 25% commute. Concord is a compact, livable city. New Hampshire is consistently identified as one of the most livable states in the country.

UNH Franklin Pierce offers all students a holistic higher education experience filled with co-curricular, community engagement, and cross-cultural inclusivity. Students at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law are involved in an array of organizations that enhance the day-to-day life at the school. Groups include academic and professional organizations, wellness initiatives, sports and more. To find an organization that suits your interests, visit the listing of student organizations.

As a student, you can enjoy leaf peeping and apple picking in the fall, skiing, sledding, or ice skating in the winter, watching the flowers bloom in the spring, hiking in the White Mountains, and spending a day at the beach in the summer. Concord’s downtown offers activities for lovers of food, books, theatre, and the arts, and is the center of several special events throughout the year, such as Market Days, Halloween Howl, and Midnight Merriment. Students looking to connect with young professionals from the greater Concord community can participate in free, monthly networking events hosted by the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce.

The Intellectual Property Summer Institute (IPSI) provides students and lawyers with a unique opportunity to access world-class faculty, researchers, and industry professionals and learn about today's trending topics in intellectual property to stay in the know and ahead of the curve. 

Student engage with industry leaders at Fortune 500 companies and Am Law 100 firms and our expert faculty and alumni as they give you an insider's look into the future of IP. You will participate in professionalism events with in-the-trenches leaders from different companies and firms all over the world. You will immerse yourself in the art and science of the study of IP by taking a “deep dive” into cutting-edge topics that are changing the way we interact with the world.

Learn more here.