Over the years, LL.M. programs have become popular among lawyers looking to advance their careers. Interest has grown across fields such as compliance, health, tax and technology law.
For lawyers focused on environmental, human rights and Indigenous law, online LL.M. programs are also gaining traction.
Whether enrolled in person or online, LL.M. students share some commonalities.
“Candidates often pursue an LL.M. degree to advance their careers within their current firm or organization, expand their professional network or transition into a new area of law,” said Huilan Jackson, director of admissions at DePaul University College of Law.
Padideh Ala’i, professor and faculty director of International and Comparative Legal Studies at American University Washington College of Law, agreed. The law school offers one of the world’s oldest LL.M. programs and has more than 5,000 LL.M. alums.
“The most cited reasons [for pursuing an LL.M. degree] are becoming eligible to sit for a bar exam in the U.S. and to further develop skills and expertise to advance their careers or retool away from their prior careers into a new area of the law,” Ala’i said. “Students also want to build their résumé and understanding of U.S. law and exposure to the U.S. legal system, as well as international law.”
Shellee Warnes, executive director of graduate law programs at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, said motivations often depend on where students are in their careers.
Since some students have recently begun their careers, Warnes said they’re eager to broaden their skills so they can become stronger advocates, negotiators and problem solvers, which are necessary skillsets, regardless of their fields of expertise.
Warnes added that the LL.M. program provides many students “a competitive edge,” when compared to counterparts that don’t have the degree. How so? According to Warnes, it is a “recognizable credential,” one that “signals excellence in a crowded marketplace.”
“We’re also seeing more students use the degree to internationalize their practice or to transition from traditional lawyering into fields like mediation, arbitration or even academia,” she said. “For foreign-trained lawyers, the LL.M. often opens the door to sitting for a U.S. bar exam and gaining a foothold in the American legal system.”
A meaningful advancement
Ala’i said students should ensure their law school’s faculty, courses and alumni network align with their professional goals. Each of these aspects will help students determine exactly how much impact an LL.M. degree — from that particular law school — will have on their long-term careers.
“Students can evaluate the alumni network to see whether the school is a good fit and what it can do for their careers,” she said. “They can also evaluate if other lawyers in their aspired careers have LL.M. degrees or whether the employer that they seek to work for values an LL.M. degree for their candidates.”
Jackson added that candidates must first be clear on their purpose. Students need to know which type of program structure will benefit them the most, regarding their individual learning style.
“Students should find programs that align with their academic goals while offering robust student support and resources that will help set them up for success,” she said.
Other key factors include the right learning format and student support.
“Do students thrive in in-person, full-time learning environments?” Jackson asked. “Or would part-time or online formats better fit their schedules?”
Overcoming misconceptions
Ala’i said that some students believe an LL.M. program’s ranking and prestige are the most critical factors while deciding which one to choose. But that’s not what’s most important. Rather, an LL.M. program, even if it’s not offered at an extremely well-known institution, must suit each candidate’s exact goals and provide them the attention and connections they need to succeed.
The bottom line?
Ala’i said it comes down to relevant coursework and faculty expertise.
“A law school that offers these opportunities — and demonstrates a strong commitment to its LL.M. students — can be far more beneficial than an institution that lacks a specialized curriculum or individualized attention,” she said.
Krestina Torossian, senior manager of recruitment and admissions at Pepperdine Caruso, agreed that students often underestimate an LL.M.’s long-term value.
“The network, reputation and lifelong professional home that a student creates through their LL.M.’s law school community are powerful assets,” she said. “Too often, these assets are underestimated.”
Warnes agrees, adding that an LL.M. program’s long-term benefits are far greater than any necessary short-term investments.
“Considering whether to earn an LL.M. is a big decision,” she said. “But oftentimes the time and money invested is outweighed by the return in professional opportunities and work satisfaction.”
