University of San Francisco (USF) School of Law

USF offers three LLM programs and a Masters Program to help attorneys advance in their careers.

The admissions committee reviews files in the order they are completed, on a rolling basis. Therefore, it is to the applicant’s advantage to submit the complete application with supporting materials as early as possible. Applications will be reviewed once all required documents and the application fee have been received. Applications will still be accepted after the priority deadline subject to the availability of space remaining in the entering class.

LLM IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND TECHNOLOGY LAW The LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Program, which is open to U.S. students with law degrees and foreign students, focuses on American and international law in the intellectual property field. Skills training and career development are key features of the program, and networking opportunities with alumni practitioners abound.

LLM IN INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS AND COMPARATIVE LAW The LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Program, which is open only to foreign students who are fluent in English, equips students with a strong grounding in legal theory and practical skills to move their career forward in the United States and abroad. Students  focus on either international commercial and business transactions law, international human rights law, or an in-depth study of a particular area of U.S. law.

LLM IN TAXATION and  MASTERS IN LEGAL STUDIES IN TAXATION These programs provide a firm grounding in the major areas of taxation and prepares graduates for successful careers in tax. The program is conveniently located in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district, so that working professionals can easily participate in the program. Online courses are also offered, allowing students the ultimate flexibility to earn their degree in a way that works for them.

In the U.S. News & World Report 2022 USF remains in the top 100 for most international students and for best value as well as placing No. 1 in the nation for ethnic diversity and No. 103 overall. In the new Princeton Review college survey, USF rates as a top university in the United States.

The University of San Francisco, the city's first university, was established by the Jesuits in October 1855. Around the original site of USF, a dynamic, diverse, distinctive city has grown and thrives. And at each step of that city’s development, USF has provided leadership and service.

The core mission of the university is to promote learning in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional students the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as persons and professionals, and the values and sensitivity necessary to be men and women for others.

Our students graduate ready for anything and curious about everything. At USF they gain comprehensive expertise, communication skills, and hands-on experience. But more importantly, they learn how to lead and inspire change, as professionals and partners, academics and neighbors.

The University of San Francisco School of Law, founded in 1912 and accredited by the American Bar Association, offers a rigorous education with a global perspective within a diverse, supportive community. Our professors bring to the classroom the highest educational credentials, substantial practical experience, and an underlying dedication to teaching, scholarship, and service. Studying at USF, located in the center of one of the world's most dynamic cities, offers vast opportunities for career growth.

The law school is housed in the Koret Law Center, one of the most modern law school facilities in America. The center includes the technologically advanced Dorraine Zief Law Library and Kendrick Hall, which is home to classrooms, offices, and student lounges.
 

Professor Connie de le Vega

Ranked the 10th most diverse law faculty in the nation by the Princeton Review.

An accomplished faculty of dedicated teachers and noted scholars is the foundation of the USF School of Law's academic program. The full-time faculty is complemented by a large group of adjunct, visiting, and emeriti professors. They include federal and state judges, attorneys from public agencies, partners in leading international law firms, and in-house counsel for multi-national corporations.

Academic Director of the International Programs - Professor Connie de la Vega

Professor Connie de la Vega writes extensively on international human rights law and participates in United Nations human rights meetings. She has submitted amicus briefs detailing international law standards to U.S. courts for juvenile death penalty and affirmative action cases, including Roper v. Simmons and Graham and Sullivan v. Florida, and has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court. De la Vega is the co–author of The American Legal System for Foreign Lawyers (Wolters Kluwer, 2011) and International Human Rights Law: An Introduction (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2007). Her latest publication The Guide to International Human Rights Procedures is forthcoming, July 2019. She established the Frank C. Newman International Human Rights Law Clinic at USF and is a founding member of Human Rights Advocates.

Academic Director of the IPT LLM Program  - Professor Michael Dergosits

Since 1993, Mr. Dergosits has taught patent law as an adjunct professor of patent law at the University of San Francisco School of Law. In 2005, he was honored as the Distinguished Adjunct Professor of the Year. He frequently speaks and authors publications on intellectual property topics. Mr. Dergosits possesses more than 25 years of legal experience and focuses on handling trials, trial preparation, and counseling (including litigation avoidance) regarding patent matters. He founded Dergosits & Noah LLP in 1993 with Todd A. Noah. Mr. Dergosits represents clients in connection with a wide range of technologies, and has extensive experience in counseling clients concerning potential claims of willful patent infringement. Mr. Dergosits is a former president of the San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association and the Federal Circuit Bar Association, where he also served as a member of the board of governors for five years. He was a member of the Cyberspace Law Committee of the California State Bar and the American Intellectual Property Law Association, a board member of the Federal Circuit Historical Society, and a former member of the San Francisco Bay Area Intellectual Property Inns of Court.

E.L. Wiegand Distinguished Professor in Tax and Academic Director of the Graduate Tax Program - Prof. Daniel Lathrope

Professor Daniel Lathrope's teaching and research focus is taxation. He is the co–author of several casebooks on individual, corporate, and partnership taxation, including Fundamentals of Federal Income Taxation, Fundamentals of Corporate Taxation, and Fundamentals of Partnership Taxation. He is the author of The Alternative Minimum Tax—Compliance and Planning with Analysis, a treatise on the alternative minimum tax, and a book on comparative income taxation titled Global Issues in Income...

Our accomplished alumni are spread across the globe and in various fields.   Here are some highlights of our alumni:

• NEW DAY, NEW CHALLENGES IN IP LAW - Profile of Sophia Mangold, LLM 17
• LLM Grad makes a Global Leap - Profile on Margarita Zakian, LLM 07

The Admissions Committee reviews files in the order they are completed, on a rolling basis, space permitting. Therefore, it is to the applicant’s advantage to submit the complete application with supporting materials as early as possible. Applicants will be reviewed once all required documents and the application fee have been received.

Applicants will be evaluated on academic and personal criteria. Academic information to be submitted with the application includes law school transcripts and other university records. Personal information includes extracurricular activities, employment experience, and other biographical information. Recommendations from professors or employers and a personal statement from the applicant are also required. All documents that are not in English, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, must be accompanied by an English translation.
 

Requirements for admission include an application form, a $70 application fee, previous education transcripts, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, an English language requirement, Certification of Finances (international applicants only), and disclosures/character and fitness updates. 

All materials and correspondence relating to admission or your Law School application should be directed to the Law School LLM Admissions Office. Once submitted, all materials become the property of the School of Law and will not be returned or copied. Please keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents for your records.

The Law School Admissions Office will provide login and password information to all applicants regarding an on-line status check. In addition, all applicants to the law school will be notified by e-mail once their application is received by USF, when your application file becomes complete, and as soon as an admission decision has been reached. Those who require an early decision may contact the Office of LLM Admissions by telephone or email to confirm the status of their application. All official decision letters will be sent electronically or, by request, via mail or courier service.

Contact Information:

University of San Francisco School of Law
Office of LLM Admissions
2130 Fulton Street 
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080
415.422.6946  
masterlaws@usfca.edu 

For detailed application information, including important dates and deadlines, or to apply, please visit https://www.usfca.edu/law/admissions/llm/iptech/how-to-apply.

For up to date Tuition & Fee Information, please see https://www.usfca.edu/law/admissions/tuition-aid/llm.

Tuition

For the Academic Year 2021 - 2022, the tuition is as follows:

• LLM in Taxation: $2,070 per unit. 
• LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law: Full-time: $50,440, Part-time: $2,015 per unit
• LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law: Full-time: $50,440, Part-time: $2,015 per unit
• Master of Legal Studies in Taxation: $1,650 per unit

Fees

There are no fees for students enrolled in the LLM in Taxation and Master of Legal Studies in Taxation programs.

Students in the LLM in IP and Technology Law and LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law programs pay the Student Bar Association (SBA) fee of $35 per semester for full-time students and $2 per unit for part-time students.

Financial aid may be offered to international applicants demonstrating financial need and outstanding academic achievement. Since funds are limited, it is to the scholarship applicant's advantage to submit their complete application with supporting materials as early as possible.

In addition, Discover offers private loans to international students, who are neither citizens nor permanent residents if they have a credit-worthy US citizen as a co-signor. See www.discoverstudentloans.com or call 877.728.3030.

U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents needing financial aid may submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Such students may qualify for an Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan of up to $20,500. Additional federal aid is available through the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, a credit based loan offered through the federal government.  Additional information on financial aid for U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents is available by visiting . www.usfca.edu/law/financialaid. 

The USF School of Law is located in a classic San Francisco residential neighborhood, complete with ornate Victorian homes and Golden Gate views. The city is an extension of the campus and plays a vital role in the overall educational experience. The law school is located minutes away from the Civic Center, home to federal, state, and local government agencies and federal and state courts, including the California Supreme Court. The San Francisco Bay Area provides unsurpassed learning, externship, and service opportunities to complement the LLM academic program. When it's time to unwind, our backyard is Golden Gate Park--a favorite spot for running, cycling, or studying in the afternoon sun. Cafés, restaurants, clubs as well as limitless entertainment options await, from ballet, opera, theater, and symphony to the Chinese New Year Parade and other cultural events.
 

Small class sizes that ensure a high level of individual attention as well as activities and services offered by the law school and university community will enrich your educational experience. The law school sponsors frequent panels, guest speakers, and special programs that provide opportunities for students to network with faculty, alumni, members of the bench and the bar, and visiting dignitaries. LLM students are also encouraged to join the many student organizations sponsored by the law school.

Our students enjoy the cultural, recreational, and social programs and services available to the wider university community. The University of San Francisco sits on a stunning 55-acre campus and features a main library and learning center, several dining facilities, and a fitness center complete with an Olympic-size pool, basketball courts, and fitness equipment. USF's comprehensive program for students also includes health counseling, housing, and disability services.