LLM

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 applications service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register and pay for the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the 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.

Many international corporations have their Latin American regional headquarters in Miami. 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 foreign 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.

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 and foreign law of any American law school. In addition, 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 one of the few law schools in the United States that offers graduates of foreign 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 foreign law school.

Law School Enrollment

• Total law school enrollment: 1,509

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, the student health center, and the campus food court.

At the center of Miami Law is the law library, which gives access to the latest computing, audiovisual, and Wi-Fi resources and offers one of the most comprehensive resources for legal research in the Southeast. The library's full-time staff of 26 provides guidance to those seeking to navigate through the more than 645,000 volumes and volume-equivalents housed in Miami Law's top legal research library.

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 health center has qualified and licensed physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners available to diagnose and treat minor injuries, current illnesses, or chronic conditions. The university's Counseling Center is also near the law school and is available to any law student seeking support for any personal or emotional issues.

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 such as the University of Miami men's and women's basketball games.

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 five 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. 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 foreign 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 applications service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register and pay for the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the 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.
• JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report and LSAT score: For US law graduates only, a copy of the JD CAS report, which includes the LSAT score, is required.
• 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 $42,000

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 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 foreign 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 applications service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register and pay for the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the 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.
• JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report and LSAT score: For US law graduates only, a copy of the JD CAS report, which includes the LSAT score, is required.
• 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 $42,000

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 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 applications service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register and pay for the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the 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
• Foreign lawyers must present evidence of graduation from a foreign 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 100 Internet-based.
• Approximately 30–35 students participate in this program each year.
• Tuition: Approximately $42,000

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 applications service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register and pay for the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the 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
• Official undergraduate transcript required
• Foreign lawyers must present evidence of graduation from a foreign 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 20 students participate in this program each year.
• Tuition: Approximately $42,000

Estate Planning LLM

The Heckerling Graduate Program in Estate Planning is the only full-time law school graduate program in the US leading to a master's degree in estate planning. The program has faculty and experts in the field of estate planning who are unmatched in graduate legal education. The program explores the areas necessary to the development of a competent estate planner, including the applicable income and wealth transfer tax laws, planning strategies, fiduciary administration, drafting, ethics, and the use of technological aids in the planning process. 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 applications service. (If using LSAC's service, applicants must register and pay for the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants must request LSAT scores separately from the 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
• Official undergraduate transcript required
• Approximately 25 students participate in this program each year.
• Tuition: Approximately $42,000

Student Services and Organizations

Miami Law has more than 55 student organizations that 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 seven law reviews:

• Business Law Review
• Inter-American Law Review
• International and Comparative Law Review
• National Security & Armed Conflict Law Review
• Psychology, Public Policy and Law
• Race and Social Justice Law Review
• University of Miami Law Review

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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