term:

Juris Doctor

juris doctor n

often cap J&D
[New Latin, doctor of law]
: the lowest degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study or its equivalent compare master of laws, doctor of laws, doctor of the science of law NOTE: The juris doctor replaced the bachelor of laws as the first degree conferred by a law school in 1969. Not all states mention the J.D. or LL.B. specifically as a requirement for admission to the bar, but all states do require graduation from a law school.

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.