Frequently asked questions
Where will I get a job? How much can I expect to make?
Our graduates secure employment in a variety of legal and non–legal
settings in the United States and globally. Starting salaries are
hard to predict as there are many variables that impact these figures
such as type and size of employer and geographic location.
What is the Patent Bar and when should I take it?
The Patent Bar is an exam administered by the United States Patent & Trademark Office and is required of all patent attorneys.
We encourage students to take the patent bar before they graduate from
law school for credentialing purposes. Please note that in order
to sit for the patent bar you must have a degree in an engineering or
science discipline.
Will career services find me a job?
Career services does not function as a placement office. Rather,
we teach you the skills you will need when conducting a job search
including how to research potential employers.
How many employers recruit at Pierce Law?
Last year, 30 employers conducted 188 interviews at Pierce Law.
We also participate in 18 job fairs around the country.
Additionally, 394 employers submitted job postings.
Will I get a job if I'm not interested in intellectual property?
Yes, you will get a job if your focus is not in intellectual
property. In fact, the majority of JD students aren't patent bar
eligible! Last year, 96% of the graduating class secured employed
six months after graduation.
Do you need a science/engineering background to pursue a career in
intellectual property? What if I majored in History, English, or
Political Science?
To prosecute patents and file patent applications with the United
States Patent & Trademark Office, you must have an engineering or
science background. If you have a background outside of these
fields, you can pursue a career in intellectual property in the areas
of trademarks & copyrights.
Can career services help me find a job outside of New Hampshire?
Yes. The majority of each graduating class secures employment
outside of New Hampshire. We have an extensive network of
alums that students can access when doing a long distance job search.
What services are available for first year students?
We counsel first year student on their job searches for summer
employment and for after graduation. We provide resume & cover letter writing assistance, conduct mock interviews, offer career
guidance and even help in selecting courses for your second year.
Of course, first year students are welcome to attend any panel or
program we run throughout the academic year.
Do Pierce Law students have opportunities to gain practical legal
experience?
A major part of the Franklin Pierce Law Center curriculum is to provide
students with the ability to gain practical legal experience.
This can be done in a variety of ways. By participating in a
clinic (criminal practice or civil), a student is allowed to argue in
court under the supervision of a practicing attorney, interview clients
and draft memos or by participating in an externship.
What is the externship program? When can I participate in one?
The externship program allows students to work in an actual legal
setting for academic credit. This is a wonderful way for students
to see what attorneys do on a daily basis and to get feedback on their
work from an expert in the field. Externships are available to
second and third year law students upon the completion of
prerequisites.
What differentiates Pierce Law career services from other school's
career services?
Because we are a small school, we are lucky to be able to provide
students with individual attention. We have an open door policy
so students feel welcome to drop in with a quick question.
Students are encouraged to come in as 1L's and we work with them
throughout their law school career. We also offer career services
to alums through all aspects of their legal career.
What is the average starting salary for a Pierce Law grad?
Unfortunately, an average starting salary isn't a viable statistic to
rely on as it
doesn't
provide an accurate picture. It's better to think of starting
salaries in terms of ranges. For example, the most recent
graduating class had starting salary ranges from $40,000–$125,000.
