News and Events | Press release

20 Students Inducted into Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program

Twenty Franklin Pierce Law Center students were inducted into the groundbreaking Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program (DWS) October 9 at the New Hampshire Supreme Court.  Surrounded by the other four members of the Court, Justice Linda Dalianis, who was instrumental in the creation of the program, administered the oath to the students in which they affirmed that each will “work diligently” to prepare to “be fully prepared to represent clients at the moment of graduation from law school.”

DWS was created as a joint venture of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, the New Hampshire Bar Association, the New Hampshire Bar Examiners and Franklin Pierce Law Center in response to studies, such as the McCrate Report, that found that most law students graduate from law school with a book knowledge, but not a working knowledge, of law.  In fact, many law firms take additional months to actively train new associates just graduated from law school.

By contrast, DWS participants consistently practice the knowledge of the law they learn in the classroom.  Their work includes simulated client interactions, courtroom exercise, and clinical experience.  Many augment these with externships, too. Students' progress is assessed through detailed rubrics and portfolio evaluation and regular meetings with members of the New Hampshire Board of Bar Examiners.  If the Scholars meet all requirements and pass the MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination), they will be admitted into the New Hampshire Bar the day before they graduate from law school.

The program’s success can be evaluated by statistics such as the near-100% employment rate of DW Scholars at graduation, and the reports of the success of proceedings in which DWS graduates are involved in trials, even while other law students are still studying for the Bar.  Interestingly enough, on the morning of this year’s induction, one of last year’s graduates, Kirk Simoneau, argued a case in front of the very Court that had inducted him into DWS just two years previous.

Before the swearing-in, Professor John Burwell Garvey, director of DWS, reminded students that in the next two years, they will need to get used to saying “thank you,” to the many members of the New Hampshire legal community who have made DWS possible through their forward thinking, practical support, and embrace of the program.  Proof of the program’s success has come in the striking of “pilot program” from the description of DWS, and this year’s 25% increase in the number of admitted students.

Class of 2011 DWS inductees are Allison Ambrose, Lauren Breda, Karinne Brobst, Brian Buonamano, Jay Duguay, Sara Firmin, Kate Geraci, Megan Hertler, Naomi Kalies, Quinn Keley, Adrian LaRochelle, Daniel Lawson, Benjamin LeDuc, Michael Malaguti, Andrea Mitrushi, Luke Nelson, Jon Rochlis, Thomas Sanchez, Carolyn Shea and Alexander Vitale.