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#LLM GUIDE - Brooklyn Law School

The Law School

Brooklyn Law School is a leader in teaching excellence, cutting-edge scholarship, and real-world legal preparation. Our students and faculty form a vibrant intellectual community in New York City, an international center for business, education, and innovation.

Brooklyn Law School offers the Juris Doctor (JD) degree; several joint-degree (JD and Master's) programs co-sponsored with other prominent New York City academic institutions; and the LL.M. Program for Foreign-Trained Lawyers.

The curriculum includes over 200 courses in a broad range of subjects, blending doctrinal and experiential instruction. The clinical program - one of the first in the nation - is regarded as among the nation's finest and most comprehensive. The rigorous academic approach equips students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills required for the successful practice of law.

Brooklyn Law School has a strong alumni network that includes 20,000 members worldwide who contribute to the success of students and the Law School through philanthropy, workshops, mentoring, and career placement.

The Program

Brooklyn Law School's LL.M. program provides foreign-trained lawyers with the knowledge needed to master American legal discourse, to practice law in the United States, and to enhance their lawyering skills for practice in their home countries. The rich intellectual experience extends beyond the classroom, and opportunities for scholarly engagement are virtually limitless. Graduates of our program will emerge as more effective and confident transnational lawyers.

Several features of the BLS LL.M. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers program are unique:

Emphasis on English Skills

The program helps LL.M. students develop the skills needed to successfully draft U.S. legal documents and to communicate using legal English. Law professors are teamed with linguists specializing in English as a Second Language (ESL) and together they teach our LL.M. legal writing course that integrates individualized instruction based on the needs of the LL.M. students.

Bar Examination Course

The program provides access to a specially-designed course that surveys the New York and U.S. law subjects included on the New York State bar examination and provides exam simulations so that students are better prepared on exam day.

Academic Enrichment

A broad array of programs and events is planned specifically for LL.M. students. These include opportunities to attend frequent workshops and lectures co-sponsored by our Centers of Excellence. Among these Centers is the Dennis J. Block Center for the Study of International Business Law, of particular importance to international lawyers. LL.M. candidates are also encouraged to make the most of program-sponsored opportunities to visit U.S. federal courts and the United Nations, participate in our many social and networking events, and to attend presentations of faculty and fellow students' scholarly work.

Specialized Study

The LL.M. program offers specialized paths of study in areas of interest to the student. Brooklyn Law School has particular strength in three areas of law: business law, intellectual property law, and refugee and immigration law.

Business Law

Located just minutes from Wall Street, Brooklyn Law School has an acclaimed business law faculty, offers a range of advanced courses in the field, and is home to the Dennis J. Block Center for the Study of International Business Law, which draws luminaries from around the world to the Law School's symposia and programs.

Intellectual Property Law

Our faculty members make important contributions to this fast-evolving branch of the law. Our curriculum addresses the pressing need for new policy and a new generation of tech-savvy lawyers. New York City is home to Silicon Alley and is the world's media capital, offering opportunities for field work with the very entrepreneurs who are driving change.

Refugee and Immigration Law

Our faculty includes authorities in the field who are scholars, teachers, and practitioners. In addition, New York City, home to two immigration courts, two asylum offices, and one of the busiest Federal Circuit Court immigration dockets in the country, is an ideal location for the study of refugee and immigration law.

Program Requirements

The LL.M. degree requires completion of 24 credits, consisting of two required courses and elective courses chosen by the student according to individual goals and specializations. No thesis credit is required. The degree can be earned in one year of full-time study, or up to two years of part-time enrollment for those with non-student visas.

The Faculty

Our faculty includes experts in many areas of U.S. and international law, as well as practicing lawyers with strong ties to financial institutions, corporations, and arts, entertainment, and media companies around the globe. Their open-door policy helps build relationships that endure long after students have graduated.

Entry Requirements

Prospective students must hold the equivalent of a J.D. from a foreign university and non-native English speakers are required to demonstrate English competency through minimum TOEFL scores. The priority application deadline is February 1, but applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis through June.

Application Procedure

Our application process is entirely electronic through www.lsac.org. To learn about the application process, please visit: www.brooklaw.edu/LLM