LLM

Advanced Degree Programs Office, 214 Boalt Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-7200, USA
Phone: +1.510.642.1476 | Fax: +1.510.643.3070
E-mail: llm@law.berkeley.edu | Website: www.law.berkeley.edu/llmjsd.htm

Watch this video featuring our Professional LLM Program.

Introduction

Berkeley Law is one of the most selective law schools in the nation. We offer a superb education in both established and emerging fields of law, and our students are taught by distinguished professors who are also cutting-edge scholars.

Berkeley's location in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, with influences from Silicon Valley and the Pacific Rim, provides an unparalleled opportunity to study at one of the world's leading institutions of legal education and research. Our intellectual property program was the first of its kind, and remains dominant more than a decade later. We were legal pioneers of the Green Movement, creating the nation's first environmental law program. Our business law program is among the best in the world.

We are committed to absolute top-tier education and scholarship, and to using our substantial intellectual capital to help solve real-world problems in order to create a more just society. We are distinguished by the extraordinary degree to which our students and faculty partner with people beyond the school to identify challenges, create alliances, solve problems, and spark change—in Berkeley and around the world.

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

Berkeley Law is one of the premier law schools in the United States. Here there are two paths to the LLM degree. Both programs are equal in length and substance, and both programs lead to the identical LLM degree. Students in both programs are taught by our internationally recognized faculty, who are not only experts in their fields but who love to teach.

Academic Year LLM Program

Students in our Academic Year LLM program choose between two tracks: coursework and thesis. In both cases, the focus is on customization. Each student in the coursework track develops a unique curriculum that combines required and elective classes.

The thesis track consists of a research project culminating in a thesis. This option is appropriate primarily for individuals pursuing academic or other research-focused careers.

Academic Year LLM students who seek in-depth training in a particular area of law are also able to earn Certificates of Specialization in Energy and Clean Technology, Law and Technology, Business Law, Environmental Law, and International Law.

Professional LLM Program

Berkeley Law's Professional LLM Program is designed for lawyers educated outside the United States who want an internationally renowned Berkeley Law LLM degree, but can't leave professional commitments for an entire year. In addition to an LLM degree, this innovative program gives practicing attorneys the ability to obtain a certificate of specialization in Business Law in two 10-week summer terms (students have the option of taking an additional three weeks of classes each year at no extra cost). Professional LLM courses are taught exclusively by Berkeley Law's world-renowned, full-time Berkeley Law faculty who are leaders in their fields. The flexible curriculum includes business law, intellectual property, and core US law courses. Business law courses include Contracts, Business Associations, Securities Regulation, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Antitrust. Professional LLM graduates are qualified to sit for the California Bar Examination.

For more information, visit the Professional LLM Program website or view the Professional LLM Program flier (PDF).

Law School Enrollment

• Academic Year LLM program: 150
• Professional LLM program (two summer terms): 100 (includes both new and returning students)

Physical Facilities

Berkeley Law recently completed a multiyear construction project, the South Addition. The two lower levels house the law library's renowned collection in efficient, compact shelving, and four glass-enclosed reading rooms that are bathed in natural light. The ground floor includes a state-of-the-art classroom, a café, and a large commons area that opens onto an outdoor courtyard, both of which can be used for studying and socializing. Above is an elegant roof garden with bench and table seating.

Berkeley Law is also part of the University of California, Berkeley campus, which occupies a beautiful 1,232-acre campus bordered by wooded rolling hills. And, of course, the City of Berkeley is known for its intellectual, social, and political engagement. With its multinational population, rich diversity of arts, and sense of political adventure, Berkeley reflects and influences the rest of the country. Yet, it remains an intimate city of friendly neighborhoods, renowned restaurants, coffeehouses, bookstores, parks, and open spaces. A short trip across the bay lies San Francisco, home to internationally recognized museums, the opera, ballet, symphony, and a multitude of restaurants. The mild climate makes outdoor activities enjoyable year-round.

Library

Berkeley Law's Library is one of the finest law collections in the world. Its extensive holdings include the Robbins Religious and Civil Law Collection with titles in ecclesiastical, civil, comparative, and international law, and extensive collections of foreign, comparative, human rights, and environmental law. The law library is also a depository for United States, United Nations, and European Union documents and is linked to the university system's holdings of more than seven million volumes. The law library provides online databases, three computer labs with Internet access, four spacious reading rooms, and a photocopying service. Multimedia capabilities are available. Wireless access is available throughout the law school complex and much of the Berkeley campus. The school is composed of three adjoining buildings with classrooms, seminar rooms, auditoriums, the law library, a lounge, a reception room, a café, dining and study areas, and offices.

Housing

The campus Housing Office offers apartments, rental listings, residence halls, and student family apartments. The International House accommodates students from the United States and abroad in a residence halls setting.

Financial Aid—Academic Year LLM

Berkeley Law offers a competitive scholarship program for admitted LLM students with superior academic credentials, for whom Berkeley Law is their first choice. Because funds are extremely limited, the $15,000 ADP Scholarship can only be provided to a few outstanding applicants each year.

Financial Aid—Professional LLM

The Least Developed Countries Scholarship ($20,000 Scholarship)

The LDC Scholarship was developed to encourage enrollment of students from Least Developed Countries. As defined by the United Nations, these are the poorest and most vulnerable countries in our international community.

Award Requirements

• Proof of citizenship and primary residence in an LDC country.
• Statement of intention describing what the scholarship recipient plans on accomplishing in the LDC country after graduating from the Professional LLM program.

Award Details

• $20,000 credit toward tuition ($10,000 per summer).
• Scholarship application forms will be made available on the Admitted Professional LLM website and are due within one week of receiving an offer of admission. Award recipients will be notified before the deadline to confirm acceptance.
• Recipients must maintain a minimum grade standard of "P" (pass) or higher in all classes during the first summer in order to maintain scholarship eligibility during the second summer.

The Guzman Scholarship (Full-Tuition Award for Students from Africa)

The Guzman Professional LLM Scholarship was developed to encourage the enrollment of students from Africa seeking advanced legal education at Berkeley Law.

Award Requirements

• Proof of citizenship or primary residence in Africa.
• Statement of intention describing what the scholarship recipient plans on accomplishing in Africa after graduating from the Professional LLM program.

Award Details

• This is a full-tuition waiver. Recipients will be responsible for paying only the $1,000 seat deposit each summer, plus living expenses.
• Scholarship application forms will be made available on the Admitted Professional LLM website and are due within one week of receiving an offer of admission. Award recipients will be notified before the deadline to confirm acceptance.
• Recipients must maintain a minimum grade standard of "P" (pass) or higher in all classes during the first summer in order to maintain scholarship eligibility during the second summer.

Career Services

The Career Development Office provides career and professional development counseling, training, and resources to LLM candidates. Our dedicated LLM career counselor assists LLM candidates throughout the job search process through résumé and cover letter review and interview preparation. In addition, the Career Development Office hosts several workshops and career-related programs throughout the year, organizes résumé collections, and maintains an online job database for legal positions.

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