Micky Minhas

Why did you choose to study at University of New Hampshire School of Law​?

In the mid-90s there were just a handful of strong IP programs in the country and Franklin Pierce/UNH was at the top of it. I liked the atmosphere here; the idea of being immersed in the law with a tight and small community really appealed to me. I also recognized the value of the name Franklin Pierce. When I am working with other companies, being associated with the name Franklin Pierce gives me instant respect and credibility.

 

What was your contact to other students like?

The Concord campus is a very tight-knit community. I remember one professor who organized a weekly basketball game. And it was common for students and faculty to come together for pickup games throughout the week. Professors would even stop by evening parties in the neighbourhood. At the same time, the campus immersed students in the law and the law experience. There were a lot of informal discussions down at the jury box (the campus café) about issues of the day.

 

What was your contact to professors like?

The accessibility of professors really stands outs. I was able to sit down with professors in informal settings to discuss aspects of a course, aspects of the law, or aspects of current events and their impact on the field of law. That level of accessibility was very valuable and not prevalent in a lot of other institutions.

 

Did you profit from University of New Hampshire School of Law​’s network?

When I work with other companies, particularly companies outside of the United States, the Franklin Pierce/UNH name really stands out. In recent negotiations, the head of patent licensing at this other very large electronics company also graduated from Franklin Pierce/UNH. It brought us closer and gave us credibility, allowing us to get to an agreement more rapidly than would have happened without that level of familiarity. I frequently run into other UNH Law/Franklin Pierce alumni at professional events – people that I went to school with and others who attended UNH Law/Franklin Pierce during different eras.

 

Do you still have contact to your study colleagues?

I met a lot of people who remain close friends today, and frequently run into other Franklin Pierce/UNH alum at professional events.

 

How did attending University of New Hampshire School of Law​ change your career?

My education really gave me a leg up. The practical courses I took prepared me for on-the-job experiences and helped me stand out when I applied for summer clerkships. Compared to colleagues from other law schools, I had much more background knowledge.

 

Which was your favorite course / part of the program you attend?

I felt really prepared as a first-year associate. The volume of IP centric courses that I took, and the practical level in which those courses were taught, allowed me to hit the ground running. When I started at my firm the partner I worked for pulled me out of the three-day orientation after a half day saying, “He’s got this down. Let's get straight to work.”

 

Why would you recommend University of New Hampshire School of Law’s study program to future students?

I really think my experience at UNH Law/Franklin was life defining. I think it's helped me tremendously. It's helped me both in terms of personal development, and with the professional connections that I have been able to have, companies here as well as throughout the world.