For International Lawyers

Master of Laws (LLM)

Gain comprehensive knowledge of U.S. law while pursuing specialized expertise through our flagship one-year LLM international law program designed for international attorneys seeking to practice in today’s global legal environment.

Program Overview

The LLM for International Lawyers is designed for students who are interested in increasing their knowledge of U.S. or international law to more effectively practice in today’s global legal environment. Students will improve their ability to represent clients who have business dealings in the U.S. or with U.S. companies and firms that conduct business abroad.

Join a student body drawn from varied legal cultures
Learn from faculty who are experts in both U.S. and international law
Design your own curriculum to suit your academic and career goals
Concentrate in specialized fields such as corporate or environmental law, or select a general course of study
Strengthen advocacy skills in moot court competitions
Opportunity to transfer to the JD program, earning both degrees in three years

Certificate Programs

LLM students have the opportunity to pursue a Certificate in one of four specialty areas. A Certificate is optional and requires 9 credit hours in the specialty area as part of a 24-credit LLM requirement. Students may earn an LLM and one Certificate in an academic year.

Certificate in Negotiation & Dispute Resolution
Provides substantial foundation in conflict theory and dispute resolution, with hands-on opportunities to gain practical skills in business negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Certificate in Business & Corporate Law
Develops knowledge and skills necessary to become well-rounded business lawyers, with training in corporate finance, law and economics, publicly traded corporations, and taxation.
Certificate in International Law
Equips students with a strong foundation in international law and specialized training in areas such as international human rights, international intellectual property, and international commercial arbitration.
Certificate in Intellectual Property and Technology Law
Allows study of introductory and advanced intellectual property law under guidance of leading scholars, covering patent, trademark, copyright issues, and emerging technologies.

Why WashU?

Our flagship LLM program offers unparalleled flexibility to design your own academic path while building expertise in U.S. legal practice. With faculty who are recognized experts in both U.S. and international law, you’ll gain practical skills essential for representing clients in cross-border transactions and global business environments.

As a WashU Law graduate, you may be eligible to sit for bar examinations in several states, including New York. Located in the heart of the United States, St. Louis provides affordable living and access to federal courts, major corporations, and a collaborative legal community.

FAQs

Your questions answered.

To apply for the LLM for International Lawyers, candidates must have earned a first law degree from their home jurisdiction. (Note: If you are interested in legal study at WashU Law, but do NOT have a first degree in law, we encourage you to explore our Master in Legal Studies program (MLS) program.)

Non-native English-speaking applicants have to show proof of sufficient language proficiency.

Candidates must submit:

An application
Official academic transcripts, in notarized English translations, if not provided in English by your university
Confirmation of English-language proficiency, as in a recent TOEFL, IELTS or other standardized test scores. (WashU Law TOEFL code: 6929) NOTE: Your TOEFL score must be less than two years old at the time you begin classes at WashU Law.

Once admitted, you will be required to present a letter of credit from a bank or other lending institution showing you have sufficient financial support to study in the U.S.

All materials must be submitted by May 15.**

**Admissions occur on a rolling basis, meaning we consider applications as they are completed. We consider candidates for admission up to 14 months prior to beginning study on campus. Therefore, we strongly recommend that applicants apply as early as possible.

WashU Law works closely with our admitted students to ensure timely and correct filings of visas. Be forewarned, however, that the process of applying for and receiving a US student visa is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. We urge you to get your application in early, and we promise to work on your visa documents early.

For more information about the application process, program curriculum, or admission requirements, please contact:

E-Mail: gradlaw@wustl.edu
Phone: (314) 935-3346
Fax: (314) 935-7961