Legal Definitions - Doctor of Law

A Doctor of Law, also known as a Juris Doctor, is a law degree that is typically earned from an American law school. The abbreviation for this degree is J.D. and it is also referred to as a Doctor of Jurisprudence or Doctor of Law.

For example, if someone graduates from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor degree, they would be referred to as a Doctor of Law or a Juris Doctor.

This degree is different from a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), which are advanced law degrees that can be earned after completing a Juris Doctor degree.