Choosing the right LL.M. program is a big decision for any lawyer. While factors such as the law school’s reputation, location and networking opportunities often weigh heavily in the decision-making process, another aspect stands out: the faculty.
The professors who lead, mentor and inspire students can profoundly shape the academic experience and future career paths of LL.M. students.
Intellectual rigor and diversity of thought
For Charlotte Agnew-Harington, the decision to pursue her LL.M. at the University of Chicago Law School between September 2022 and June 2023 was driven by a desire for intellectual challenge and a different academic perspective. “I wanted to learn from experts in their fields who were concerned about the same issues I was but who had perhaps approached them in different ways,” she explains.
The faculty at UChicago were a perfect fit for her goals. A pivotal experience for Agnew-Harington was her work with Professor Aziz Huq, with whom she completed an independent research paper. “Professor Huq and I share an interest in how legal systems can, whether by design or unintended effect, foster and entrench inequalities and biases,” Agnew-Harington recalls.
Their collaboration allowed the former LL.M. student to explore sentencing regimes in the U.S., Canada and New Zealand, ultimately broadening her understanding of legal theory and practice across different jurisdictions.
“I will always be grateful to Professor Huq for meeting my research proposal with such an open mind, allowing me to take the research in a direction that fits my own understanding while also opening new avenues of inquiry,” she says.
Beyond intellectual development, the mentorship and support offered by the faculty at UChicago had a lasting impact on Agnew-Harington’s career. “The faculty are incredibly supportive of LL.M. students and their different backgrounds and trajectories. They encouraged us to think bigger and offered their continued support and assistance after graduation,” she notes.
Agnew-Harington advises prospective LL.M. students to take careful consideration of what they want to achieve and ensure that the faculty at their chosen institution aligns with those goals.
Practical expertise and open-door policies
For Lilah Levin, the decision to enroll in the LL.M. program at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School between July 2023 and May 2024 was influenced by multiple factors, including the prestige of the Ivy League, the school’s top rankings in business and corporate law, and its faculty’s blend of academic and practical expertise.
“Penn Carey Law has one of the best faculties that teach their specific subjects of expertise. Apart from having renowned academics among the professors, Penn Carey Law’s faculty also include current practitioners,” Levin shares.
She highlights her experiences with Professors George Casey and Scott Petepiece, who taught a class on cross-border mergers and acquisitions that left a lasting impression on her.
“The class was brilliantly structured, they had a fantastic way of engaging with a fully international class, explained complex concepts in a very simple and understandable way, and conducted a successful negotiations workshop for students to apply the theory learned in practice,” Levin explains.
This combination of theoretical instruction and practical application was particularly valuable for her when she was preparing to resume her career.
The accessibility and supportiveness of the faculty at Penn Carey Law were also praised by Levin. “During my time at Penn Carey Law, the professors maintained an open-door policy, were very diligent with their students and were eager to give advice whenever needed,” she says.
Even after graduation, Levin continues to feel assured that she can reach out to her former professors for guidance. For prospective students, Levin underlines the importance of thoroughly researching faculty members and the courses they offer when selecting an LL.M. program.
Passionate instruction and career mentorship
Alexander Mau chose UC Berkeley School of Law’s LL.M. program primarily for its global reputation in intellectual property law and the strength of its faculty in this sector. “The fact that the university’s faculty contains many leading academics in the field was also an important factor that influenced my decision,” he explains.
Mau’s expectations were met through the high quality of instruction from professors at Berkeley Law, where he studied between January 2023 to December 2023.
A standout experience for him was his time in Professor Sonia Katyal’s trademark law and branding class. “She had extensive knowledge of trademark law, was passionate about it and piqued our interests through her engaging lecturing style and encouragement of student participation,” Mau recalls.
The help from Berkeley Law faculty extended beyond the classroom, influencing his career path and future aspirations.
“The mentorship and support from professors at Berkeley have encouraged me to pursue a legal career that I am passionate about and that challenges me mentally,” he says.
Mau’s advice to prospective LL.M. students is clear: the quality of faculty should be a key factor in their decision-making process, as it plays a crucial role in making the learning experience enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.
