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If you are a law professional looking to boost your career and specialise in a specific legal field, pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) is a smart move. Specialisation lets you deepen your expertise, making you more competitive in an increasingly complex legal landscape.
There’s a notable increase in hiring, especially among large firms. AmLaw 50 firms – the top 50 by size and economic performance — accounted for 1,407 lateral partner hires (42%), the second 50 made 1,005 hires (30%), firms ranked 101 to 150 made 536 hires (16%), and those ranked 151 to 200 made 402 hires (12%), according to the 2024 American Lawyer Laterals Report.
To fully meet this growing demand and maximise your potential in your chosen field, going to the right law school is key.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), one of the top-ranked public universities in the US, offers a comprehensive LLM programme for those looking to move up in their legal career. The university is ranked #12 among public universities and #35 among national universities. Its law school, the College of Law (“Illinois Law”), is ranked #36 out of 196 US law schools, with strengths in business and law, criminal law, environmental law, and more.
Whether on the path to corporate law, public interest advocacy, legal research or anywhere else, students can explore their area of interest with Illinois Law’s degree programmes: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Studies in Law (MSL), and Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD). Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Flexible curriculum
Since its founding in 1867, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has built a reputation as a leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. It’s this that drew Najmiddin Jamoliddinov, a practising lawyer and moot court coach, to move from Uzbekistan to the US. He was impressed by its “very lucrative programmes, high rankings, and affordable tuition.”
The LLM programme prepares foreign-educated lawyers like Jamoliddinov, and those holding an undergraduate degree in law or another field, for success. Choose from over 150 courses and seven specialised concentrations (including commercial law and intellectual property and technology law), where a committed faculty and the student community guide LLM candidates toward professional success. The flexible programme allows students to start in either the fall or spring semester and complete their degree in two or three semesters.
Reflecting on his time at the university, graduate Johnatan De Souza D’Alcantara, now working at a boutique law firm, remarks, “I got to choose from a variety of concentration programmes, such as Corporate Law, Commercial Law, and Intellectual Property and Technology Law. I have learned from excellent and well-experienced professors about US law, with a great balance between academic and practical aspects.” He praises the university’s “truly immersive and global academic community” as well, where he enjoyed “daily and exciting cultural exchanges with classmates from diverse backgrounds.”
Jamoliddinov chose the Corporate, Commercial Law, and Trade concentration. When asked to describe the curriculum, he says, “amazing.” “At the very beginning, it was really hard to navigate between the statutory regulations and the court interpretation and application of those rules. Later, I realised that the method of teaching through case study is way more effective than simply learning the statutes and reading commentaries to them, as we did back home,” he says.
His favourite subjects were Business Associations, Mergers and Acquisitions, as well as Secured Transactions. “I was fond of them for being so well structured and the materials were approachable,” he says.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the #1 return on investment in the Big Ten (PayScale). Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Support for every student’s journey
Everyone’s law school experience is unique, and the type of support each student needs varies throughout their time on campus. Illinois Law understands this, as seen in its global classrooms attuned to their diverse cohorts. This ensures that students like Justice Ukpabi always feels included — on campus and beyond. “The town’s vibrant atmosphere, away from the distractions of a big city, fosters a strong focus on sportsmanship,” says Ukpabi. “Its enthusiastic support for sports creates an infectious sense of camaraderie among its residents.”
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign welcomes one of the largest international student populations among US public institutions. This community is supported by a range of scholarship opportunities, including merit-based scholarships.
But that’s not all; jobs and internship opportunities are plentiful at UIUC, whether on campus, with a Fortune 500 company, or even with a Fortune 500 company on campus. Plus, the school’s network of over 500,000 alumni is ready to help students make valuable connections, ensuring that an education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is truly an investment in both their future and their careers.
All students at Illinois Law can access one-on-one appointments with its academic success and career development staff. Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Empowering legal minds to thrive
UIUC graduates achieve success at the highest levels; 92 Fortune 100 companies actively recruit the school’s graduates, and 95% of students are employed or will continue their education within six months of graduating. This track record speaks to the quality of education and career preparation UIUC provides its students.
LLM students have access to the same internationally renowned faculty as their JD counterparts. And, with resources like bar prep workshops, internship opportunities, and one-on-one success counselling, students are well-prepared for the demands of the legal profession.
For many students, hands-on internship experiences are a highlight of their college experience. Jennifer E. Mokwenye, an LLM graduate and now a case specialist at an immigration service corporation, reflects on her internship at the Immigration Project: “I was able to impact the lives of individuals and families who are navigating complex immigration systems. The various immigration issues I handled exposed me to a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, allowing me to develop a broad skill set and gain valuable experience, thereby enhancing my professional growth and adaptability.”
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