In a world where global trade traverses vast oceans, where massive ships navigate complex legal waters, and where international commerce depends on a robust legal framework, the importance of maritime law cannot be overstated.
Behind the scenes of this intricate industry, legal experts with specialized knowledge in maritime law play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth operations, mitigating risks, and resolving disputes.
For those captivated by the mysteries and challenges of the high seas, pursuing an LL.M. in maritime law offers an opportunity to delve into this field and emerge equipped with the expertise needed to succeed in the industry. An LL.M. in maritime law offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the legal particulars surrounding shipping, marine insurance, port operations, and international trade.
A rich history of teaching maritime law
The City Law School in London has had a long pedigree in teaching and researching maritime law. The school’s first dean, the late Professor Martin Dockray, wrote one of the earliest textbooks on Carriage of Goods, in 1987.
“We see maritime law in a much wider societal context and not simply through commercial or economic lenses,” says Professor Jason Chuah. “In our curriculum, for example, there is some emphasis on the colonialist setting of maritime law. It also emphasizes contemporary issues, such as sustainable shipping and the role of technology.”
He adds that it is equally important to introduce students to ethics and values in this highly commercialized area of economic activity. That comes on top of the legal frameworks that govern the global maritime industry, as well as the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of the various stakeholders involved.
Studying maritime law at an advanced level opens doors to a multitude of exciting career paths, says Chuah. “The LL.M. Maritime Law opens up a sector of the economy which otherwise would be closed to those without the specialist knowledge and competences needed for success.”
A career in maritime law can offer diversity as well. “There are many different areas of economic activity which intersect with shipping – from insurance to finance and trade,” says Chuah. It also offers rich rewards. “It is of course highly commercial so the financial rewards can be significant.”
Gain hands-on lawyering skills
Surrounded by water, the University of Miami School of Law offers a unique opportunity to study maritime law in the cruise capital of the world. “Miami hosts the largest single-ship cruise terminal, and several major companies have headquarters located within minutes from the Port of Miami, the top cargo gateway of the Americas,” says Sandra Friedrich, the Assistant Dean of International Graduate Law Programs.
During their Maritime Law LL.M. studies, students can gain practical, hands-on lawyering skills through semester-long for-credit placements with law firms, companies and other organizations in the field. They also have the opportunity to take graduate-level courses at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), a leading academic oceanographic and atmospheric research institution, providing a multi-disciplinary perspective.
This can help students advance their career, or break into the field of maritime law. “It’s a burgeoning area with a variety of compelling career opportunities such as working in a law firm, as in-house counsel, for non-governmental organizations (NGO) and in governmental positions,” says Friedrich.
Additionally, maritime law has ties to other growing sectors such as the cruise industry, environmental protection and climate change, providing plenty of opportunities for career growth.
Foreign-trained graduates of Miami’s Maritime Law LL.M. program may also sit for the Bar Exam in several U.S. states, including New York and Florida, providing further professional development opportunities.
Varied career paths in maritime law
The Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law at Swansea University in Wales draws on its heritage and location to deliver a maritime law LL.M. “Swansea was considered a cradle of the British industrial revolution and for over a century it was renowned for its vast coal and metal mines, and for the sheer amount of trade and ships passing through its port,” says Professor Baris Soyer, the Director of the school’s Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law.
“We have seen consistent demand for our shipping law program since its inception, with graduate employment rates also remaining stable,” he adds, putting this down to the program’s practical focus. “We aim to teach maritime law doctrines and practice together, elaborating on their interaction. Most of our teaching staff have had legal practice experience,” says Soyer.
The great thing about the subject is how broad a student’s career prospects are, he continues. “The maritime legal industry is massively varied – from public aspects, civil matters, ship ownership, cargo claims, marine insurance, piracy, collisions, salvage and pollution,” Soyer says, adding: “This means students will almost certainly find a legal career that is right for them.”
