University of Miami School of Law

This lake is in the center of campus in front of the Student Center where law students congregate.

GENERAL LL.M. DEGREE:

U.S. and Transnational Law for Foreign-Trained Lawyers LL.M. 

Specifically designed for the foreign law graduate, the U.S. and Transnational Law for Foreign-Trained Lawyers is specialization within the International Law LL.M. and is Miami Law's general LL.M. program. This program welcomes foreign-trained attorneys from all over the world to continue the study of law in a context that emphasizes American common law and its impact in the global economy. The program permits unusual flexibility by allowing students to choose courses in their area of interest from the general law school curriculum. Overall, this LL.M. offers foreign lawyers a unique opportunity to study both theoretical and practical aspects of the U.S. legal system and to appreciate the effects of globalization upon U.S. and transnational law.

SPECIALIZED LL.M. DEGREES:

Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law LL.M.

The Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law LL.M. degree is designed for U.S. and foreign-based law students and attorneys who are committed to counseling professionals and companies in these fields. The degree is also for lawyers currently in the field who wish to be better prepared to address emerging and novel issues such as equity investment, public-private conduct and regulatory compliance, which have taken on importance and even centrality in these areas.

Estate Planning LL.M.

The Heckerling Graduate Program in Estate Planning is designed for the U.S. law graduate. It explores the areas necessary to the development of a competent estate planner, including the applicable income and wealth transfer tax laws, planning strategies, fiduciary administration, drafting, ethics and the use of technological aids in the planning process. It differs from a Tax LL.M. in that the unique program prepares attorneys not only to deal with the tax implications of wealth transfers, but also with the related non-tax, investment and business succession planning issues. Tax LL.M. programs may offer a cluster of survey courses on estate planning topics, but cannot match the in-depth, practical focus of Miami Law’s Estate Planning LL.M. spring semester classes which focus exclusively on these essential non-tax issues. 

International Arbitration LL.M.

The White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Program provides a unique individualized educational opportunity for a small group of top quality students from a range of countries, wishing to acquire an in-depth grounding in the field as a platform for a successful career. The program offers specialized theoretical and practical courses arbitration, and there is a broad selection of related subjects including course offerings with a focus on Latin America for future practitioners wishing to pursue a career involving interests in that region.

International Law LL.M.

The International Law LL.M. Program exposes students to a broad background in public international law (both traditional public law and international economic law), comparative law, and international business transactions.provides students with the specialized background and training necessary to recognize, understand and manage problems arising in the international legal order, including those relating to international trade, investment, business, environmental problems, and the protection of human rights. 

Intensive Legal English + LL.M.

Students who need to improve English proficiency before embarking on LL.M. studies can apply to this option which begins each January in the spring semester. The Spring semester focuses on strengthening the English language and communication skills necessary to be successful in the LL.M. program. After successful completion of their first semester, students join the LL.M. class in the fall and proceed with the regular course of LL.M. studies.

Maritime Law LL.M.

The Maritime Law LL.M. Program is for students interested in studying the International Law of the Sea, Admiralty Law, and Marine & Environmental Law & Policy. Surrounded by water, Miami offers a unique opportunity to study Maritime Law as the top cargo gateway of the Americas and the cruise capital of the world. It hosts the Port of Miami - the largest single-ship cruise terminal and all the major companies’ principal place of business. Miami Law is known for its renowned professors who share their knowledge and skills with students such as Professor Bernard H. Oxman who serves as ad hoc judge before the International Court of Justice. The LL.M. also draws upon the expertise of The University of Miami's Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Science  - one of the leading academic oceanographic and atmospheric research institutions in the world.

Real Estate / Property Development LL.M. (available on campus or online)

The Robert Traurig-Greenberg Traurig LL.M. in Real Property Development Program provides an advanced educational opportunity for lawyers dedicated to working in the real estate field. The Program is designed both for recent law school graduates and for practitioners interested in redirecting or fine tuning their practice. There is also a Distance Learning option taught by the best minds in real estate law and top, practicing lawyers in the field. This online program offers a first-rate educational experience and a flexible program available 24-7 from anywhere in the world. The program is part-time and can be earned in as little as two years or as long as five years and is ideal for attorneys who want to expand their knowledge of real estate law without commuting or moving.

Taxation LL.M.

The Taxation LL.M. Program provides intensive training that focuses on building a better tax lawyer who develops the "tax sense" necessary to resolve tax problems with confidence. Classes are offered in an order that makes sense - students take foundational courses in the fall, and in spring they build on concepts already introduced to tackle increasingly complex issues and choose electives to develop a deeper understanding of their specific areas of interest. Miami Law's program educates tax professionals to play significant roles in tax and business law in the United States and around the world. Students with law degrees from outside the U.S. are welcome.

Taxation of Cross-Border Investment LL.M. (available on campus or online)

This LL.M. is in response to South Florida becoming one of the world's leading centers of international tax planning and asset management. Many courses in this degree are co-taught by U.S. and non-U.S. tax lawyers to show the real-world dynamics of developing a structure that satisfies the business and legal demands of multiple jurisdictions. The specialized degree is ideal for students who have a solid foundation in their own domestic tax system and who are a few years out of law school. Specifically, the degree will benefit:
1) U.S. lawyers who are practicing, or intend to practice, in or with Latin America in order to develop the niche market of structuring investments in and by Latin America;
2) Foreign-trained lawyers ready to delve into a more sophisticated tax practice and looking to understand enough U.S. tax law to work well with U.S. tax lawyers.

LL.M. to J.D. TRANSFER:

LL.M. to J.D. Transfer

Miami Law is also one of the few law schools in the United States that offers graduates of international law schools the opportunity to apply and join the JD program after one year and to complete both degrees in a much shorter period of time.

LL.M. to S.J.D. PROGRAM:

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

This advanced research degree program is designed for aspiring legal academics, members of the judiciary, and public policymakers. The mission of the SJD program is to produce graduates who are prepared to become leaders in international academic, judicial, and public service communities. Students admitted and enrolled in a Miami Law LL.M. program who are interested in the SJD Program, may be eligible to apply to the SJD during their first semester. If admitted, students may be able to reduce by one semester the duration of their SJD residency period and graduate a semester earlier.

This is the palm-tree lined entrance into the law school.

The School of Law is located in Coral Gables on the 260-acre main campus of the University of Miami, one of the largest private research universities in the United States. Known as one of Florida's most desirable residential areas and increasingly recognized as an international business center, Coral Gables offers all the benefits of large-city living in a relaxed suburban setting. Next door to Coral Gables is the City of Miami, a burgeoning international center for trade and finance and the nation's gateway to South America. Greater Miami has one of the most dynamic and rapidly expanding legal communities in the country. Greater Miami, with its international flavor and cultural diversity, is also an extraordinary setting in which to live. Its many distinctive neighborhoods such as Art Deco inspired South Beach, "Little Havana," fashionable Coconut Grove and South Miami, with its small-town ambiance offer a wealth of cultural attractions, sporting events and natural treasures to enjoy year-round.

Graduate LL.M. students and J.D. students congregate on our central courtyard, "The Bricks."

University of Miami School of Law is one of the leading institutions of legal education in the U.S. Since the 1950s, Miami Law has offered LL.M. programs for foreign-trained lawyers making it one of the most established LL.M. programs in the U.S. This gives students access to the real expertise and knowledge of staff. LL.M. programs at Miami Law have always been small and selective to provide a superior experience for both students and faculty. The LL.M. Programs are tailor-made to each student's academic and professional needs. Each LL.M. student creates a course of study that matches his or her career goals. UM is at the forefront in training legal professionals of a rapidly changing world. Faculty members are leaders in their scholarly and professional fields which benefits the highly talented and diverse student body through a rich and challenging curriculum and a wide variety of professional skills training opportunities. Graduates of this law school are among the best in the profession and work in all fields of practice from corporate to public interest law, in large firms, private practice, government service or as sole practitioners.

We offer practical learning opportunities and court simulations.

The University of Miami School of Law has one of the largest number of faculty members teaching or researching in the area of international and foreign law of any American law school. We have leading scholars in the area of Latin American law, International Law and Law of the Sea such as Professor Bernard H. Oxman who serves as ad hoc judge before the International Court of Justice.

We are highly regarded for our faculty's overall academic and professional quality, and faculty members take great pride in developing good working relationships with students, and are available to discuss course materials as well as questions related to the study of law in general. Some of our students are selected to serve as research assistants to our international faculty. In addition, some students may apply and be appointed by the Dean as a Visiting Associate Professor for one year after the completion of the International Law LL.M. program.

LL.M. students at orientation.

Our alumni work across the world and some include:

The Honorable Dean Barrow LL.M. '81 in Comparative Law (now U.S. and Transnational Law), former Prime Minister of Belize, Belmopan, Belize

Marcela Camargo LL.M. ’16 in Real Property Development, Associate, Uribe Henao Abogados and Former Jefe Jurídico Inmobiliario / Chief Real Estate Officer, Almacenes Exito, S.A. (largest retail company in South America)
Medellín, Colombia

Ira J. Coleman LL.M. '87 in Tax, Partner and Chairman, McDermott Will & Emery, Miami, FL

James W. Crawford III LL.M. '92 in Maritime Law, Vice Admiral & 43rd Judge Advocate General of the Navy (retired); President, Felician University, Rutherford, NJ

Markus Ederer, LL.M. ’85, Ambassador of the European Union to Russia, Brussels, Belgium

Juan Pablo Moyano García, LL.M. ’16, Senior Counsel, Holland & Knight, Mexico City, Mexico

Stéphane Gerschel, LL.M. '94 in International Law, Chief Marketing Officer, Movado Group International, Milan, Italy

Begoña Guzman Garate LL.M. '19 in U.S. and Transnational Law, Global Legal Head Private Banking, Banco Santander, Miami, FL

Andreas Christian Hoffmann LL.M. '95 in Comparative Law (now U.S. and Transnational Law), General Counsel/Head of Legal & Compliance, Siemens AG, Munich, Germany 

Dr. Vinodh Jaichand LL.M. '84 in Comparative Law (now U.S. and Transnational Law), Former Dean and Head of the Oliver Schreiner School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Victoria Kigen LL.M. ’17 in International Arbitration, Case Counsel, Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration, Nairobi, Kenya

Doris König LL.M. '82 in Comparative Law (now U.S. and Transnational Law), Vice President of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany and presiding Justice of the Second Senate; Professor and Claussen Simon Chair for International Law, and Former President of Bucerius Law School, Karlsruhe, Germany

Sean Koussevitzky LL.M. ‘16 in Estate Planning, Regions Bank, Private Wealth Management, Coral Gables, FL

Betsy L. McCoy LL.M. '07 in Real Property Development, Vice President and General Counsel, The Related Group, Miami, FL

Francisco Reyes Villamizar LL.M. '93 in Comparative Law (now U.S. and Transnational Law), Francisco Reyes & Asociados SAS, Bogota, Colombia; Former Chairman of the United Nations Commission for International Trade and Colombian Superintendent of Companies 

Paulina Wood, LL.M. ‘19 in Taxation of Cross-Border Investment, Universidad de los Andes - Bogota, Colombia, New York Life Insurance Company, Miami, FL

Near the ports, the law school is the ideal setting to study Maritime / Admiralty law.

UM looks for a student body that is intellectually excellent, extraordinarily active and diverse.

To qualify for admission to our LL.M. Programs in Entertainment Arts and Sports Law, International Arbitration, International Law, Maritime Law, Taxation, Taxation of Cross-Border Investment, and Real Property Development, applicants must have earned a law degree either in the United States or abroad.

To apply to our Estate Planning LL.M. Program, lawyers must have earned a J.D. or LL.B. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and have successfully completed the equivalent of a J.D. trusts and estates course.

Click here for specific application requirements.

Students eating outside on campus on our famous "rocking tables".

For specific application procedures for the LL.M. Programs, click here.

The famous University of Miami 'U' sculpture is in the center of campus.

For information on tuition and fees, visit: https://grad-prof.miami.edu/cost/law-costs/index.html

For a break, the beach is only 30 minutes away from campus.

The Law School is committed to helping qualified international graduate students obtain the necessary financial aid to complete their legal education. Partial scholarships are available for a limited number of qualified international LL.M. applicants. Other options are also available through the law school. We encourage you to visit our website under LL.M. Scholarships for information.

There are also scholarships for international students.

If you are not an international student and would like further information on financial aid, visit the financial aid area of our website at: https://admissions.law.miami.edu/finance/index.html.

As a gateway between the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, Miami has a unique strategic location.

Many international corporations have their Latin American regional headquarters in Miami. Home to one of the world's largest privately owned and operated free trade zones, Miami has the third largest U.S. airport for international passengers and is the cruise capital of the world. Moreover, Miami has the second-largest number of foreign banks in the U.S., a large representation of foreign consulates, 25 international trade offices, 40 bi-national chambers of commerce, and many non-governmental organizations with headquarters or offices here. The area's economy and social life are firmly tied to international trade, immigration, and tourism in a manner emblematic of the globalized world. More at: https://admissions.law.miami.edu/about/why-miami/index.html

The law school is in Coral Gables - a residential area that offers the benefits of city living in a suburban setting filled with trees and canals.

The University is situated in the heart of Coral Gables and surrounded by an abundance of housing options to meet students' needs and budgets. Also, the Miami-Dade Metrorail has a stop at University station, which is right on campus, making it convenient to get to and from school for students living in the Dadeland or Downtown neighborhoods.
For information on housing visit: https://admissions.law.miami.edu/admitted/housing-living-in-miami/index.html

Miami Law LL.M. students attending the prestigious New York Job Fair.

The University of Miami is strongly committed to its graduate LL.M. programs and we welcome applicants from around the world to join our legal community. In a typical year, our international graduate law programs include about 75 foreign-trained law students from 30 or more different countries around the globe. As for our other LL.M. programs, taxation typically has about 30 students, Real Property about 25 students and Estate Planning about 20 students. 

From legal societies to fitness facilities, an array of student activities, resources, and services reflect the academic interests and meet the personal needs of our students. The Law School's more than 50 student organizations allow students to develop interests in specialized fields of practice, provide service to the community, and interact with local practitioners. Students have many opportunities to publish articles and to be involved in the important process of managing law journals. Law journals managed and edited by students include the Inter-American Law Review, the International and Comparative Law Review, and the University of Miami Law Review.

In addition, our International Graduate Law Programs also plans specific events for those with an interest in international law, including hosting International Law Lectures, symposia, social activities, and other events.

Lastly, the School of Law currently offers highly popular Exchange Programs in many countries some include: Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, China, France, Spain, and Israel. For a full listing visit: https://www.law.miami.edu/academics/experiential-learning/international-study-exchange-opportunities/index.html ;

LLM Orientation for International attorneys includes a welcome reception.

For students coming from overseas, Miami Law has an orientation prior to the start of classes. This way international students to get to know each other and feel comfortable within the law school and the city. During orientation students meet professors, alumni and each other, as well as receive individual course advising based on the students' background and areas of interest.

Miami Law also offers a U.S. Law in Action: 1-Week Online Summer Program - https://www.law.miami.edu/academics/additional-programs/us-law-in-action-summer-program/index.html

Intensive Legal English + LLM students join us from 12+ countries.

Intensive Legal English + LL.M.

This three-semester program is designed for students who need to improve their English proficiency before they embark on studying for their LL.M. Applicants who meet all admission requirements other than the English Language Proficiency requirement are considered for admission.