For Esha Maken, LLM-IP '25, Her Metamorphic Experience Led to a Personal Transformation

Her year at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, says Esha Maken, LLM-IP ’25, taught her to be more assertive in class discussions, at networking events, and in real-world legal scenarios. 

“Before this program, I often hesitated to voice ideas unless they felt perfectly articulated,” says Maken, who came to the U.S from India, where her focus has been on maritime law and intellectual property. “Here, I learned that thoughtful expression, even in uncertainty, has immense value. That shift in confidence will stay with me forever.” 

Maken describes her year studying for her LLM in Intellectual Property law as “metamorphic,” explaining that she came to the law school to earn a degree but instead found herself transformed. “I learned to blend intellect with empathy, theory with practice, ambition with authenticity,” she says. “…[I]f you’re ready to evolve not just as a student, but as a human, UNH Franklin Pierce will meet you halfway and walk with you the rest of the way.” 

She credits connections with peers and faculty for making her year in Concord so memorable. Maken recalls the gentle concern displayed for her cohort by Professor Stanley Kowalski; the joyful energy of Professor Susan Drisko Zago; the gift of hands-on learning guided by Professor Cassandra LaRae-Perez in the Intellectual Property and Transaction Clinic, in which Maken served as a student attorney; and the grounding guidance of Dean Neil Sirota, whose class “wasn’t just where we studied law, it was where we learned how to think like lawyers and judges.” 

Maken also speaks of Assistant Dean for Graduate Admissions & International Outreach Sarah Dorner, calling her a “consistent presence of guidance, encouragement, and genuine care,” whose support extended beyond administrative responsibilities and felt “personal, invested, and unwavering.” She also credits the members of the Marketing and Communications team, including Director of Marketing and Communications Gregg Mazzola, not only for their kindness, but for helping her build professional skills as a graduate assistant. 

“That’s the beauty of UNH Franklin Pierce,” Maken says, “you’re constantly surrounded by people who care, who show up, and who make a difference, often in ways they might not even realize.” 

In addition to the IP Clinic, Maken loved her American Legal Process & Analysis class, which helped her understand the U.S. legal system. Case briefing in that course taught her to dissect judgments and comprehend the evolution of legal reasoning in the U.S.  

“Participating in class, listening to peers, and debating legal nuances made the experience enriching,” she says. 

Beyond the classroom, Maken embraced the Concord community and the traditions of New England, from apple picking to Thanksgiving to snow tubing. She enjoyed activities as simple as taking a walk through White Park (located across the street from the UNH Franklin Pierce campus), grocery shopping at one of the local markets, and playing games in the lounge between study breaks. She also appreciated peer and alumni networking events and notes that she felt embraced every step of the way. 

“This law school fosters both intellectual growth and emotional safety,” Maken says. “That is rare and invaluable.”