A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence,[1] or Doctor of Law[2] (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States, it is the only qualifying law degree, while other jurisdictions, such as Australia, Canada, and Hong Kong, offer both the postgraduate JD degree as well as the undergraduate LL.B., BCL, or other qualifying law degree depending on the requirements of the jurisdiction where the person will practice law.
Originating in the United States in the late 19th century, the JD is the most common law degree in the country. The degree generally requires three years of full-time study to complete and is conferred upon students who have successfully completed coursework and practical training in legal studies. The JD curriculum typically includes fundamental legal subjects such as constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, contracts, property, and torts, along with opportunities for specialization in areas like international law, corporate law, or public policy. Upon receiving a JD, graduates must pass a bar examination to be licensed to practice law. The American Bar Association does not allow an accredited JD degree to be issued in less than two years of law school studies.[3][4]
To be fully authorized to practice law in the courts of a given state in the United States, the majority of individuals holding a JD degree must pass a bar examination,[13][14][15][16] except from the state of Wisconsin.[17][18] United States patent courts also involve a specialized "Patent Bar" which requires applicants to hold an additional required degree in certain scientific fields alongside their Juris Doctor degrees.[19]
^"Ethics Opinion 1969-5". San Diego County Bar Association. 1969. Archived from the original on 11 April 2003. Retrieved 26 May 2008 – describes differences between academic and professional doctorates; contains a statement that the J.D. is a professional doctorate, in § 'Other references'.
^United States Patent and Trademark Office (27 March 2017). "Becoming a Patent Practitioner". USPTO.gov. United States Government. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2021. Learn about applying for registration to practice in patent matters before the USPTO, including requirements, forms, and exam information.