Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Pursuing an LL.M. in the U.S.
Boston College Law School
Today’s PresentersKaren Bysiewicz, Director,
Graduate and International ProgramsPenn State Law
Jessica Richman Dworkin, Assistant DeanInternational and Graduate Programs
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
Gail J. Hupper, DirectorLL.M. and International Programs
Boston College Law School
Jane E. Schukoske, DirectorMaster of Laws Program in the Law of the United States
University of Baltimore, School of Law
Where We Are
BOSTON
PARIS
BALTIMORECOLUMBUS STATE COLLEGE
Today’s Agenda
• What can a U.S. LL.M. do for me?• Overview of U.S. Legal Education• Where do I start?• How do I choose?• How do I apply?• Bar exam • Career opportunities• Your Questions
What do I do with an LL.M?Work in Europe Work in the U.S.
Law firms Law firms
In House Counsel/business In House Counsel/business
International organizations International Organizations
Government/not for profit organizations Not for profit organizations
Why do an LL.M.?
• Train in the Anglo-American legal system• Study law at an advanced and specialized level• Gain opportunity for work experience in the
US• Sit for a US Bar examination
Training in the U.S. Legal System
• Civil law systems differ from the U.S. common law system in these main ways:– Centrality of codes in contrast to case precedent– Roles in the legal profession – judges, lawyers, prosecutors,
notaries, juries– Law practice – negotiation, ethics, evidence, burden of
proof, writing style– National law – U.S. state and federal laws– National judicial system with Constitutional court – U.S.
state/federal court systems
Legal Education in the U.S.
• Law School – usually sits within a university• 200+ law schools• Approximately 141,000 law students• 47% of law students are female
Study at an advanced, specialized level
• Graduate education, rather than undergraduate• Professional orientation, rather than theoretical• Common law reasoning – significance of facts, cases,
analogy• Importance of attending, preparing for and
participating in classes• Syllabus: course outline and learning contract• Professors hold office hours, relatively informal
What to Expect in the Classroom
• Frequently, J.D. and LL.M. students take courses together
• Mixed-gender classrooms; wide age-range of students
• Socratic method:heavy reading load, participation is expected and required
• Professors are approachable, accessible• Entire course grade often based on final exam
(written, not oral)
Degrees OfferedMaster of Laws (LL.M.)• Post-JD or foreign law degree• One-yearJuris Doctor (J.D.)• Post-bachelors degree• Three-yearDoctor ate (S.J.D.; J.S.D. or Ph.D.)• Degree for academic s• Two to seven years
Typical Degree Progressions
UndergraduateDegree
Bar Exam
SJD
International Law Degree
LLM
J.D.
U.S. Academic YearAugust through December January through May
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Where do I Start: Researching Schools
• www.llm-guide.com , llm.uniiks.com, and www.petersons.com (LL.M. programs)
• www.lsac.org (J.D. programs)• Rankings• School Websites• Check for ABA accreditation (over 200 ABA-
approved schools)• ABA Guide to Law Schools
What is important to me?
• Factors to consider:• Academic• Student Life
How do I choose?
Academic factors• Specialization or general
knowledge of U.S. practice• Program requirements• Course offerings• Faculty and their areas of
research• Scholarships• Class size
How do I choose?
• Make sure law schools have theprograms, classes, and support that you want
• Non-School Online Information– Be wary of forums and discussion boards– Contact the school if you have any questions
• Rankings– Example: U.S. News and World Report– Use with caution!
How do I choose?
• Consider other factors:– Urban v. rural setting– Large university v.
small college– Public institution v.
private institution– Cost of living – Where will you
feel the most comfortable?
How do I apply?
Application: online or paper Transcripts/Credential EvaluationPersonal StatementLetters of RecommendationTOEFL or IELTS
Preparing to apply
• Take the TOEFL• Choose recommenders and give them an
ample amount of time• Create a resume• Write personal statement • Request and send transcripts• Submit application prior to deadline of school
The Personal Statement
What should you address?
• Motivation• Career goals• Interest in the legal
profession • Experience in
leadership, service, or diverse environments
Suggestions• Identify and address
most critical issues• Polish and proofread!• Consider tailoring to fit
different schools• Support with details• Add addendums if
needed
Letters of Recommendation
General Rule:
Law schools prefer letters from someone who is impressed with you; not someone whom you believe will
impress the school.
How do I afford it?
Expenses:• Tuition: $10,000 to $42,000+ per year• Living expenses: $6,000 to $23,000+ per year• Plus books, travel, personal expenses
Financial Aid Resources:• Limited aid from schools• Scholarship programs• Loans and work study
Finances
A word about Financing the Degree:• Merit-based scholarship awards– How admissions committees make award decisions
• Need-based scholarship awards– Demonstrating need as an international applicant
• Public v. private institutions• Third-party scholarship opportunities• Fulbright Scholarships
Orientation programs• LL.M. Programs are short, so focus right away!• English fluency is a must.• Programs convey academic expectations, law school
systems, resources for students, course websites.• Visits to courts and law offices provide context.• Summer programs in Legal English are available.• Resource: “Summer Programs Offered By American
Universities of interest to Foreign Lawyers and Advanced Law Students”
Career Development Opportunities
• Optional practical training (OPT) allows LL.M. graduates to work in the U.S. for an additional year.
• On campus work during the academic year is permitted.
• Internship and Employment Resources are available
Penn State Law LL.M. Program
The Bar Examination
• Each state has its own licensing requirements, its own bar examination, and its own requirements for permission to sit for the bar.
• Every state allows students from ABA-accredited law schools (J.D. graduates) to sit for the bar.
• Several states allow LL.M. graduates from ABA-accredited law schools to sit for the bar; other requirements may apply (i.e., NY, CA, DC, VA, OH, IL, TN, etc.) www.ncbex.org
Character and Fitness• Be wary of advice to omit any information that is
requested.
Failure to disclose is often more detrimental to an applicant’s chance to become a licensed attorney than was
the original offense.
Contact InformationKaren BysiewiczPenn State Law
Jessica Richman DworkinThe Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
Gail J. HupperBoston College Law School
Jane E. SchukoskeUniversity of Baltimore School of Law
• Thank You!
Penn State Law LL.M. Program
Academic Program
• 24-credit program to be completed in one academic year
• Can personalize curriculum or• Can choose from specialized areas:– Business Law– Arbitration, Mediation, and Negotiation– International and Transnational Law– Antitrust, Competition Law
LL.M. Experience• Practical skills
classes• Optional bar
preparation classes
• Courtroom and legal system field observation
• JD/LLM mentors
Student Life
Penn State has a large, vibrant international community of nearly 2,500 international graduate students.
Financial Assistance
• All students are considered for Penn State Law scholarship which range from $3,000 to $7,000– No separate application necessary
• Information available on outside funding on request.
Countries represented in recent LL.M. classes
• Argentina• Austria• Azerbaijan• Brazil• China• Egypt• France • Germany• Italy• India• Japan• Kyrgyzstan
• Moldova• Netherlands• Nigeria• Russia• Taiwan• Thailand• Turkey• Pakistan• Philippines• Republic of Korea• South Africa• Ukraine
Career Opportunities
• Optional practical training is available to graduates of the program
• On campus internship placements• Active alumni network of Penn State
