The LL.M. (master of laws) is an internationally recognized postgraduate law degree. An LL.M. degree alone generally does not qualify one to practice law; in most cases, LL.M. students must obtain a professional degree in law such as the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in the United States or the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in the United Kingdom, and pass a bar exam or its equivalent in other countries. In most countries, lawyers are not required to hold an LL.M. degree, and many lawyers do not choose to obtain one.
According to the National Law Journal, the number of LL.M. degrees conferred by American Bar Association-approved law schools grew by 65% between 1999 and 2009 — far outpacing the 13% growth in J.D.s during the same period. In 2009, 5,058 students completed LL.M.s, compared to 3,069 a decade earlier.
Why an LL.M.?
Law school graduates and lawyers frequently obtain an LL.M. to gain expertise in a specialized field of law, such as tax law or international law, or to transition from one practice area into another. Foreign attorneys sometimes obtain an LL.M. to help get their foot in the door at U.S. firms.
While some experts question the value of an LL.M. degree, in a competitive job market, students often pursue this degree as a way to enhance their credentials, set themselves apart from other job candidates or position themselves for advancement in the firm.
LL.M. Programs
LL.M. programs vary in length, cost and content. The typical program is one year of full-time study or two to three years of part-time study. Students often select their courses to either specialize in a particular field, such as international law, or create a custom course of study to suit their individual interests or professional needs.
The ABA lists 295 LLM programs, although that number does not include some recently announced programs. Law graduates can obtain an LLM in any number of specialties. A few of the most popular specialties include:
- Tax
- Environmental law
- Arbitration, mediation and negotiation
- Intellectual property law
- Bankruptcy law
- International and transnational law
- Corporate law
A handful of schools, including Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Southwestern Law School and Boston University School of Law, are experimenting with distance learning as a way to extend the reach of their offerings.
If you are interested in pursuing an LL.M., the American Bar Association’s directory of LL.M. programs in the United States or LLM Guide’s guide to Masters of Laws Programs worldwide are helpful resources.
