Graduate Law Programs—LLM, PO Box 248087, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA
Phone: 305.284.2523 | Website: www.law.miami.edu/llm
Please note that LLM applications to the University of Miami School of Law may be made through Miami Law's website or through LSAC's electronic application service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register with LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) and pay a $75 Document Assembly Service fee. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the LLM CAS report.)
Introduction
Situated in one of the world's most vibrant, multicultural metropolitan areas, Miami Law stands at the crossroads of the Americas, a location that lends students an international perspective; exceptional career-building opportunities in courts, corporations, and clinics; and rewarding careers in this exciting environment. No other law school in the nation is located in an area that affords this exceptional mix of diverse opportunities to train legal professionals for a rapidly changing world. The University of Miami is strongly committed to its graduate LLM programs, and we welcome applicants from around the world to join our legal community. Graduates of Miami Law are among the best attorneys with more than 18,000 alumni practicing throughout the United States and in nearly 90 countries—from corporate to public interest, to large firms, to private practice, to government service, or as sole practitioners.
Miami Law is also highly regarded for our faculty's overall academic and professional quality. Our faculty members take great pride in developing good working relationships with students and are available to discuss course materials as well as questions related to the study of law in general. The University of Miami School of Law has one of the largest number of faculty members teaching or researching in the area of international law of any American law school.
Law School Enrollment
- Total law school enrollment: 1,461
Physical Facilities
Miami Law is located on the University of Miami's main campus and is within a 10-minute walk from key spots at the university, such as the state-of-the-art fitness center, the local post office, concert halls, the campus bookstore, the university's art museum and its concert halls, the student health center, and the campus food court.
At the center of Miami Law is the law library. With over 655,000 volumes and volume-equivalents and a wide array of electronic resources, Miami Law’s library is one of the most comprehensive resources for legal research in the Southwest. The library has liberal hours, energetic and experienced reference librarians, and seating for individual and group study. A strong wireless infrastructure allows students to utilize the Internet throughout all buildings and on our courtyard, the Bricks.
In addition to the law library, there is access to the university's flagship Otto G. Richter Library, as well as to collections at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. In addition, faculty offices are located in the law library, which facilitates meetings and interactions between students and faculty.
The University of Miami also has a variety of cultural offerings. On campus is the Lowe Art Museum, the first art museum in South Florida and home to one of the most important collections in the Southeast. In addition, right across from the law school is the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, a 600-seat venue where there are more than 100 concerts and events presented each year. There is also a larger venue on campus—The BankUnited Center—an 8,000-seat facility where there are concerts, lecture series, university events, and sporting events.
Housing
There is no on-campus housing for law students. Since Miami is a large, metropolitan city it is full of diverse housing options and locations in which to live. There are a variety of options within walking and commuting distance of the law school. The Office of Student Recruiting offers a roommate referral service to help incoming law students find roommates, and there is an Apartment and Relocation Guide on Miami Law's website to assist incoming students in finding housing.
LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization
Miami Law offers six distinct LLM programs.
International Law LLM
This program provides students with the specialized background and training necessary to recognize, understand, and manage problems arising in the international legal order, including those relating to international trade, investment, business, environmental problems, and the protection of human rights. Within this program, there are four specializations: US and Transnational Law for Foreign Lawyers, International Arbitration, International Law, and Inter-American Law. Miami is an ideal city to study international law, as many international corporations have their Latin American regional headquarters in Miami. Also home to one of the world's largest privately owned and operated free trade zones, Miami has the third largest US airport for international passengers and is the cruise capital of the world. Moreover, Miami has the second largest number of international banks in the US, 25 international trade offices, and 40 binational chambers of commerce. The area's economy and social life are firmly tied to international trade, immigration, and tourism in a manner emblematic of the globalized world. In the program, some International Law LLM students may apply and be selected by the dean to serve as a Visiting Associate Professor for one year after the completion of the LLM program. This is a unique opportunity for students who wish to pursue a career in academia. Miami Law is also one of the few law schools in the United States that offers graduates of international law schools the opportunity to transfer to the JD program after one year and to count most credits earned in the International Law LLM program toward the JD degree. For qualified applicants, the transfer between programs is made seamless. In addition, students may be awarded additional credits toward the JD from their academic work in their international law school. To learn more, visit the International Graduate Law Programs website, e-mail intl-llm@law.miami.edu, or call 305.284.5402.
- Application deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis, though there are suggested dates for priority consideration:
- For international law graduates, the priority deadline is May 1 (fall admission only).
- For US law graduates, the priority deadlines are May 1 (fall admission) and November 15 (spring admission).
Please note that LLM applications to the University of Miami School of Law may be made through Miami Law's website or through LSAC's electronic application service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register with LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) and pay a $75 Document Assembly Service fee. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the LLM CAS report.) - Application fee: $50
- Letters of recommendation: 2 required, students may obtain two letters of recommendation from two law school professors. Attorneys in practice more than two years may submit letters of recommendation from an employer or colleague.
- Transcripts: Official undergraduate transcripts and official law school transcripts are required. Copies of diplomas obtained are accepted but must be notarized. All documents not in English, Spanish, or Portuguese must be translated into English.
- A copy of the student’s LSAT score and JD class rank, for US law graduates.
- Résumé (optional)
- Statement of purpose: Approximately 500 words in English, addressing academic and professional background, professional goals, and specific areas of interest.
- Language requirement: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of the TOEFL. Minimum required TOEFL scores for admission: 580 paper-based, 237 computer-based, and 92 Internet-based.
- Statement of Financial Responsibility and verification of sponsorship: This is required only for admitted students who require a visa.
- Tuition: Approximately $43,680
Ocean and Coastal Law LLM
This program prepares the attorney to be a specialist in the domestic and international legal problems associated with the use and protection of the marine environment. To learn more, visit the Ocean and Coastal Law LLM website, e-mail intl-llm@law.miami.edu, or call 305.284.5402.
- Application deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis, though there are suggested dates for priority consideration:
- For international law graduates, the priority deadline is May 1 (fall admission only).
- For US law graduates, the priority deadlines are May 1 (fall admission) and November 15 (spring admission).
Please note that LLM applications to the University of Miami School of Law may be made through Miami Law's website or through LSAC's electronic application service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register with LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) and pay a $75 Document Assembly Service fee. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the LLM CAS report.) - Application fee: $50
- Letters of recommendation: 2 required, students may obtain two letters of recommendation from two law school professors. Attorneys in practice more than two years may submit letters of recommendation from an employer or colleague.
- Transcripts: Official undergraduate transcripts and official law school transcripts are required. Copies of diplomas obtained are accepted but must be notarized. All documents not in English, Spanish, or Portuguese must be translated into English.
- A copy of the student’s LSAT score and JD class rank, for US law graduates.
- Résumé (optional)
- Statement of purpose: Approximately 500 words in English, addressing academic and professional background, professional goals, and specific areas of interest.
- Language requirement: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of the TOEFL. Minimum required TOEFL scores for admission: 580 paper-based, 237 computer-based, and 92 Internet-based.
- Statement of Financial Responsibility and verification of sponsorship: This is required only for admitted students who require a visa.
- Tuition: Approximately $43,680
Taxation LLM
In today's world, tax issues are inescapable, increasingly complex, and constantly changing. Miami Law's program focuses on building a better tax lawyer who develops the "tax sense" necessary to resolve tax problems with confidence. The location in Miami—the pivot point between South America, North America, and Europe—enables the LLM program to draw upon the region's diverse perspectives and career-building opportunities. Several courses are co-taught by US and non-US tax lawyers to introduce students to problem solving when multiple jurisdictions are involved. There is also an International Tax Concentration and particularly strong high-net worth and international course offerings. To learn more, visit the Graduate Program in Taxation website, e-mail taxllm@law.miami.edu, or call 305.284.5567.
- Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Please note that LLM applications to the University of Miami School of Law may be made through Miami Law's website or through LSAC's electronic application service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register with LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) and pay a $75 Document Assembly Service fee. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the LLM CAS report.) - Application fee: $50
- Letters of recommendation: 2 required
- Résumé
- Personal statement
- A copy of a student's LSAT score and JD class rank
- JD transcript and degree from an ABA-accredited law school required
- International lawyers must present evidence of graduation from an international law school.
- Language requirement: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of the TOEFL. Minimum required TOEFL score for admission: 600 paper-based, 240 computer-based, and 92 Internet-based.
- Approximately 30–35 students participate in this program each year.
- Tuition: Approximately $43,680
Real Property and Development LLM
The Robert Traurig-Greenberg Traurig LLM in Real Property Development provides an advanced educational opportunity for lawyers dedicated to working in the real estate field. The program is designed both for recent law school graduates and for practitioners interested in redirecting or fine-tuning their practice. Miami Law also offers a part-time Distance Learning Program available 24/7 from anywhere in the world. To learn more, visit the Robert Traurig-Greenberg Traurig LLM in Real Property Development website, e-mail cbowers@law.miami.edu, or call 305.284.1754.
- Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Please note that LLM applications to the University of Miami School of Law may be made through Miami Law's website or through LSAC's electronic application service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register with LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) and pay a $75 Document Assembly Service fee. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the LLM CAS report.) - Application fee: $50
- Full-time or part-time enrollment options
- Letters of recommendation: 2 required
- Résumé
- Personal statement
- A copy of a student's LSAT score and JD class rank
- JD transcript and degree from an ABA-accredited law school required
- Official undergraduate transcript required
- International lawyers must present evidence of graduation from an international law school
- Language requirement: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of the TOEFL. Minimum required TOEFL score for admission: 580 paper-based, 237 computer-based, and 92 Internet-based.
- Approximately 35 students participate in this program each year.
- Tuition: Approximately $43,680
Estate Planning LLM
The increasing complexity of our income tax, wealth transfer tax, and property laws, combined with today's changing economic environment and the shifting demographics of our population, have created a demand for attorneys with expertise in individual and estate planning. The University of Miami School of Law offers a unique, full-time program leading to a Master of Laws (LLM)—The Heckerling Graduate Program in Estate Planning. The graduate program provides a combination of tax and estate planning courses taught by many of the nation’s leading experts and allows the law graduate or attorney to rapidly acquire a high level of technical expertise in this important and expanding field. The program is distinguished by the breadth and depth of its coverage of both the tax and non-tax aspects of individual and estate planning. While graduate tax programs may offer a cluster of survey courses on estate planning topics, they cannot match the in-depth, practical focus of our spring semester classes. More importantly, it is possible that the courses offered in other graduate tax programs do not touch on the essential non-tax issues involved in estate planning, including fiduciary administration, asset protection, life insurance, investment planning, elder law, and probate. Finally, the Heckerling Graduate Program provides students with hands-on practical experience, through preparing and drafting an estate plan under the direct supervision of a practicing estate planning attorney. To learn more, visit the Heckerling Graduate Program in Estate Planning website, e-mail ladams@law.miami.edu, or call 305.284.4918.
- Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Please note that LLM applications to the University of Miami School of Law may be made through Miami Law's website or through LSAC's electronic application service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register with LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) and pay a $75 Document Assembly Service fee. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the LLM CAS report.) - Application fee: $50
- Full- and part-time enrollment options
- Letters of recommendation: 2 required (recommendations from law school professors are preferred)
- Résumé
- Personal statement describing academic and professional background, professional goals, and interest in estate planning
- A copy of a student's LSAT score and JD class rank
- JD transcript and degree from an ABA-accredited law school required
- Official undergraduate transcript required
- Approximately 20 students participate in this program each year.
- Tuition: Approximately $43,680
LLM in Taxation of Cross-Border Investment
Miami Law launched this degree in response to South Florida becoming one of the world’s leading centers of international tax planning and asset management. Many courses in this graduate tax degree program are co-taught by US and non-US tax lawyers to show the real-world dynamics of developing a structure that satisfies the business and legal demands of multiple jurisdictions. The specialized degree is ideal for students who have a solid foundation in their own domestic tax system and who are a few years out of law school. Specifically, the degree will benefit
- attorneys who are practicing, or intend to practice, in or with Latin America in order to develop the niche market of structuring investments in and by Latin America; and
- non-US/international lawyers who are ready to delve into a more sophisticated tax practice and are looking to understand enough US tax law to work well with US tax lawyers.
To learn more, visit the Graduate Program in Taxation website, e-mail taxllm@law.miami.edu, or call 305.284.5567.
- Application fee: $50
- Application deadline: Rolling admissions—decisions are made as applications are received. Candidates are therefore encouraged to complete their applications as early as possible.
Please note that LLM applications to the University of Miami School of Law may be made through Miami Law's website or through LSAC's electronic application service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register with LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) and pay a $75 Document Assembly Service fee. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the LLM CAS report.) - Full-time students may matriculate in the summer semester. At the discretion of the director, part-time applicants may commence in any semester.
- Letters of recommendation: 2 required
- Résumé
- Personal statement
- International lawyers must present evidence of graduation from an international law school: official law school transcripts; certified, translated copy of the transcripts; and photocopies of diplomas received.
- Language requirement: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of the TOEFL. Minimum required TOEFL score for admission: 600 paper-based, 240 computer-based, and 92 Internet-based.
- Tuition: Approximately $43,680
Student Services and Organizations
Miami Law has more than 55 student organizations, which provide members personal, academic, and career support. All encourage student involvement and leadership, assist in recruiting students, and provide networking and career opportunities with alumni and other members of our legal community. The school's leadership works closely with student organizations and facilitates or cosponsors a broad array of special programs and events throughout the year. We also have six law reviews:
- Business Law Review
- Inter-American Law Review
- International and Comparative Law Review
- National Security & Armed Conflict Law Review
- Race and Social Justice Law Review
- University of Miami Law Review
The law school also has 10 clinics, including Bankruptcy, Death Penalty, Children & Youth Law, Federal Appellate, Health Rights, Human Rights, Immigration, Investor Rights, Innocence, and Tenants' Rights.
Career Services
Miami Law boasts a variety of career services to help students, both US and international, reach their professional goals. Our school has a Career Development Office (CDO) with advisors who are former practicing attorneys with a wide range of legal backgrounds. For international students, the CDO even has an international LLM advisor who has expertise in counseling this specific group. Advisors are available to meet with students and alumni to review résumés and cover letters and talk about career objectives. There are even workshops throughout the year to assist students.
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