The quaint, picturesque towns of New Hampshire might seem at odds with the steely resolve of the state's motto, "Live Free or Die." Forged in the heat of the Revolutionary War by General John Stark, the motto is a source of pride for residents who have taken it to heart.
If you are looking to the independent spirit of New Hampshire for legal education, then you will explore the state's capital, Concord. In particular, you will be researching the only law school in the state, the University of New Hampshire School of Law.
University of New Hampshire School of Law
The University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law is located in Concord, New Hampshire, just an hour away from Boston and close to the ocean and mountains. No matter your favorite recreational activity, you are not very far away from city lights or backcountry venues for much-needed short breaks from your legal studies.
Founded in 1973, this public institution is a small school with an average student body size of about 500, including part-time students. NH School of Law historically accepts students with LSAT scores ranging from 152 to 159.
NH School of Law is especially well-known for its intellectual property program. In addition to the Intellectual Property Law certificate for JD students, they also offer LL.M and master's programs in IP.
Law school tuition in New Hampshire is near the national average at about $40,000 a year. NH School of Law is considered a second-tier school by U.S. News & World Report and is accredited by the American Bar Association.
New Hampshire has adopted the Uniform Bar Exam, which means the results can be transferred to other states accepting the UBE. NH School of Law grads achieve above-average bar passage rates, with around 85% of first-time test takers passing in 2021.
Students also have the option to take a variant of the New Hampshire bar exam during law school through the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program. The first of its kind in the country, the program purports to provide a client-ready legal education that will allow its participants to be sworn into the bar the day before graduation.
Tips for Law School and Beyond
FindLaw for Law Students contains many articles that offer tips and advice for those considering law school. Whether or not you succumb to the charms of New Hampshire, you can find information about schools across the nation, how to get in, and ways to maximize your law school success.