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Pierce Law Invests in the Future

Published Tuesday Dec 16, 2008

Soon after finishing a state-of-the art courtroom to train students, Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, the state's only law school, is now in merger talks with the University of NH in Durham.

"Although there is a long way to go before a final decision is made, we have established a working group to examine all of the benefits and risks," says UNH President Mark W. Huddleston of the potential merger. UNH is interested in pursuing this relationship in no small part because of potential synergies with our business and engineering programs, especially in the area of intellectual property, a major strength of Pierce Law. Pierce Law Dean John D. Hutson agrees the potential merger would create a "tremendous platform" to integrate legal education and research opportunities

The exploration of a merger is the latest major project Pierce Law has taken on in its continuing evolution. The Law Center recently completed a major renovation, which included investing $352,000 into building a new state-of-the-art courtroom in which to train its students, including $52,000 for technology.

The new courtroom was designed by DC Designs Architectural Studio in Concord and built by Milestone Engineering and Construction in Concord, with millwork installed by WS Dennison Cabinets Inc. of Concord. While the woodwork details provide an impressive courtroom in which students can sharpen their skills, its the technology that you don't see that sets it apart as a teaching tool.

Single Source Group (SSG) in Nashua installed, tested and trained students and faculty on the technology in five days. The company installed digital recording equipment that allows professors and students to review their performance during and after a mock trial. It integrated the sound and audio systems into the judges bench, jury box, media table, defense table and the prosecution table so that everything is clearly recorded no matter where students are speaking in the courtroom. Media streaming technology allows students to view evidence presented during mock trials on their laptops. A document camera allows the jury to view evidence on two 30-inch LCD screens that retract into wooden housings when not in use.

The courtroom was designed to be more than a training tool. It can also function as an appellate court, complete with a jury room/judge's chamber, should there be a shortage of space at the state's appellate court.

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