UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law rose into the Top 5 for intellectual property in the 2020 US News & World Report rankings. The law school joins Stanford Law School, NYU Law, and UC Berkeley Law in the top-tier for IP legal studies. It's not only the school's renowned faculty, but the school's standout students that contribute to the growing success of the law school's intellectual property program.
"I chose UNH Franklin Pierce because of its excellent reputation in intellectual property law," says Matthew Middleton a juris doctor candidate expected to graduate in May 2020. "What really set UNH Law apart from other law schools strong in intellectual property was UNH Law's expert faculty. Not only are they accessible, but they truly care about student success."
Middleton has already seen success in his career. He hasn't graduated law school yet, but he's already landed a job.
"This summer I interned at a law firm in Delaware focusing on patent litigation," Middleton says. "They've offered me a job and I accepted. I can't wait to start."
Middleton graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey with a degree in biology but knew he wanted to go to law school to study patent law. While at UNH Franklin Pierce, Middleton has immersed himself in the extensive IP offerings at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law and his resume already speaks volumes. During his 1L summer, he interned at a patent prosecution law firm in Nashua, New Hampshire. In the fall of his 3L year, he's interning at the US District Court for the District of New Hampshire in the state capital. His final internship before graduating will be with the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
"I'm particularly excited for this internship because this court takes patent-related appeals from all district courts in the country," says Middleton. "I will get a front row seat to a variety of patent issues which will only further my understanding as I launch my post-graduation career."
In addition to building his resume through internship opportunities, Middleton expanded his legal knowledge through the Intellectual Property & Transaction Clinic and the Innocence Project Clinic offered through the school. He worked on real cases under the supervision of an accomplished attorney or attorney-professor.
"I wouldn't trade my time at UNH Franklin Pierce," says Middleton. "As I start to look back at my time here, I realize the knowledge I gained combined with the relationships I've made with professors and colleagues has set me up for a successful legal career in IP."
