The UNH School of Law Board of Trustees voted on Thursday, Jan. 24, to fully integrate the law school with UNH. The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees will take up the question at its next scheduled meeting this Friday, Feb. 1. If the USNH board also votes in favor, the process of fully integrating the two schools will begin, culminating in the law school’s transition to a school of the university by early 2014. The law school would remain in Concord. 

This action would be an incremental step, capping off an affiliation with the university that began in 2010, when the former Franklin Pierce Law Center changed its name to UNH Law. At the time, the agreement allowed for a vote on full integration to take place as soon as January 2013.  

The affiliation has resulted in benefits for students at both institutions as well as enrichment and joint research opportunities for faculty. The schools worked together to create two popular dual degrees: a JD/MBA with UNH's Whittemore School of Business and Economics, and a JD/MSW with UNH’s College of Health and Human Services.  

“I’m pleased the integration process has moved another step forward, and eagerly anticipate the university’s discussion with the USNH Board of Trustees,” said UNH President Mark W. Huddleston.

By Danielle Barrick, UNH School of Law