Maybe he was taking the "Executive JD" degree, which is only three years. So he would have been most of the way to earning the degree. I am not sure what the hell you do with an "EJD", but it has an extra letter in it, so it must be better.
https://www.concordlawschool.edu/academic-programs/executive-juris-doctor-curriculum
I like the idea of the school juicing students for 4 years instead of the traditional 3 years for a JD. The traditional 3 year JD programs at most law schools are already one year too long.