LLM

229 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Phone: 612.626.7325 | Website: www.law.umn.edu

Introduction

Combine one of America's best law schools with one of its top cities and you have the University of Minnesota Law School. The Law School is located near downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the banks of the picturesque Mississippi River. Annually recognized by leading publications as one of America's best cities, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are home to 21 Fortune 500 companies (including General Mills, 3M, Target Corp., and Medtronic), federal and state government, hundreds of public interest and human rights organizations, and world-class arts and recreational opportunities. It is clear why so many international attorneys and scholars choose the University of Minnesota Law School.

Through a rigorous and dynamic combination of theoretical and practical training, the Law School sharpens the intellects and skills of its students. The school's unique approach to legal education focuses on how law shapes and transforms all aspects of society.

The Law School prepares students to:

• operate as lawyers in a global context;
• address pressing socioeconomic problems;
• engage in wide-ranging, cutting-edge research; and
• approach their chosen field of work as problem solvers and difference makers.

Law School Enrollment

• 858 full-time students
  • 752 JD
  • 23 international visiting
  • 1 domestic visiting
  • 50 LLM
• 21 countries represented

Physical Facilities

• Law Library
  • 7th largest law library in the US
  • 1,000,000+ volumes and volume equivalents
  • 24/7 access for all students
  • 29 library staff
  • 330 study carrels
  • 773 total seating
• Free campus-wide wireless network
• Fitness center

Housing

Please visit the Off Campus Housing website for housing opportunities.

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

The University of Minnesota Law School's LLM Program for Foreign Lawyers provides foreign lawyers with a rigorous academic experience, exposing them to a broad array of legal skills and knowledge. Our LLM graduates leave the program better equipped to meet the heavy demands of legal practice in an increasingly globalized world. LLM students add to the diversity of ideas and experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Each LLM student selects courses based upon his or her area of interest. Upon arrival, LLM students meet with the Director of International Programs to develop an individual academic plan. Students may focus on a specific area of law or the practice of US common law generally. Once an academic plan is established, LLM students enroll in courses with upper division JD students, providing the maximum opportunity for dialogue and discussion with faculty and US students.

Academic Year/Requirements

LLM students must successfully complete 24 credits over the academic year. There is no thesis requirement, but students must take one seminar course that is graded based on a substantial writing project. Each LLM year begins the first week in August and ends with a graduation ceremony in mid-May.

Concentrations

The Law School is pleased to provide LLM students with the opportunity to receive a certificate of concentration in business law, health law and bioethics, human rights, labor and employment law, criminal justice, and environmental and energy law. To receive a certificate of concentration (and a notation on the transcript), students must successfully complete 12 credits of coursework within the concentration.

Beginning in the fall of 2012, the University of Minnesota Law School will expand its prominent LLM program to provide foreign business lawyers with a rigorous business law experience, exposing them to a broad array of legal skills and knowledge crucial to the global practice of business law.

Introduction to American Law

The academic year for LLM students starts in August, a month before the first semester of law classes begins. During August, LLM students take an intensive three-week Introduction to American Law course, which familiarizes LLM students with American civil and criminal procedure, constitutional law, basic legal research and writing skills, and other preparatory background information for law school courses.

Mentorship Program

Each LLM student is paired with a second-year or third-year US law student. Throughout the year, the mentor helps familiarize the LLM student with US culture and the Law School.

LLM Legal Research and Writing and Judicial Observation

The Law School provides two semester courses specific to LLM students. The first course, LLM Legal Research and Writing, helps foreign lawyers improve their English writing proficiency, undertake US legal research, and draft American-style legal memoranda. The second course, LLM Judicial Observation, pairs foreign lawyers with local judges during the second semester, providing an opportunity for students to experience the American legal system firsthand.

LLM Application Requirements, Tuition, Fees, and Living Expenses

• Application available: October 1 through April 1
• Application deadline: April 1
• Application Fee: $70
• Letters of recommendation: 2 required
• Transcripts required: LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service preferred
• Approximately 50 students enroll each year
• Tuition—approximately $48,500; Fees and health insurance—$4,200; Living expenses—$14,000; Book expenses—$1,700
• Total estimated expenses for one year—$68,400

Contact Information

For more information about the LLM Program for Foreign Lawyers, please visit the LLM Program website, or contact:

Dorothy Schlesselman
Program Coordinator
Room 429
229 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
USA

Phone: 612.626.7325
E-mail: llmadm@umn.edu

Student Services and Organizations

Dean of Students Erin Keyes and her staff are available to assist students, including LLM students, with settling into the Law School as well as with any personal or academic issues which may arise; the Student Services staff also provides support for student events and activities sponsored by student organizations.

• Student Services
• Student Organizations

Career Center

The University of Minnesota Law School's Career Center is committed to supporting and educating University of Minnesota Law School students and alumni throughout all stages of their professional development. The Career Center helps students and alumni develop the professional experience and connections that will give them access to employers throughout Minnesota and the nation.

As an institution with an exceptional national reputation, the Law School is focused on helping students and graduates find positions with all types of legal employers throughout the country. Our well-trained graduates work in all 50 states, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and many other locations throughout the world. They work for premier law firms, boutique practices, federal agencies and departments, state and local governments, public interest organizations, and major companies.

A wide variety of local, regional, national and international law firms, corporations, public agencies, and judicial clerkship recruiters meet students annually through Career Center-sponsored programs. Interviewing and networking events take place both on campus and off campus in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Students also participate in the Equal Justice Works Conference in Washington, DC, and the Midwest Public Interest Law Career Conference in Chicago, among other national career fairs.

The Center offers career workshops and programs throughout the year and counsels students and alumni on establishing and meeting professional goals.

Additional Information

Our outstanding faculty and International and Graduate Programs office staff support the success of each and every LLM student.

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