Ideas with Impact
UNB Faculty of Management

When William Lafford began his law studies at the University of New Brunswick five years ago, he had a clear goal: to practise corporate and commercial law.

Today, that vision is a reality. When he graduated in May 2025, William started articling with the corporate law team at Cox & Palmer, working under Aaron Savage, a partner with the firm and a 2001 alumnus of the same MBA/Juris doctor program at the University of New Brunswick.

William credits much of his success to the unique structure and experiential learning offered by the joint degree. “The program gave me a strong foundation in business and the practical skills to apply that knowledge immediately,” he says. “I was able to contribute right out of the gate.”

Unlike many other institutions where the degrees are completed separately over six years, the integrated program offered at UNB’s faculties of management and law allows students to earn both degrees in just five. This efficiency, combined with a curriculum that blends legal theory with business acumen, gave William a competitive edge.

He says courses in entrepreneurship taught him to think like a business owner, refining ideas, pivoting strategies, and pitching solutions with confidence. Weekly presentations and real-time feedback sharpened his communication and critical thinking skills. Marketing classes deepened his understanding of market dynamics, while negotiation courses provided hands-on experience in resolving complex issues.

“Every day in law, you’re faced with unexpected challenges,” William explains. “The MBA reshaped how I approach problem-solving. It taught me to define problems clearly before jumping to solutions and to prepare thoroughly so I can respond effectively when issues arise.”

William believes the MBA/JD program not only enhances a graduate’s credibility in business law but also shortens the learning curve in practice. “If you’re asked to draft a Directors’ Resolution authorizing dividends, an MBA/JD grad doesn’t need to learn what a director or dividend is, they already understand the financial and legal implications.”

He also highlights the program’s strategic design: students pursuing the joint degree must take business law electives, courses they would likely choose anyway. “If you’re already planning to focus on business law, why not graduate with an additional degree that sets you apart?”

With a strong alumni network, a rigorous curriculum, and a focus on real-world application, UNB’s MBA/JD program continues to prepare graduates like William to thrive in the fast-paced world of corporate law.

Photo: William Lafford says UNB’s MBA/JD law degree prepared him for many of the unexpected challenges of practising corporate law.

Learn more about UNB’s Faculty of Management and MBA/JD program. 

Media contact

Liz Lemon-Mitchell
Lizabeth.Lemonmitchell@unb.ca