4 leading law schools providing LLM success

Acquiring an LLM can be a game-changer, offering advanced legal knowledge and a competitive edge in the global job market. In 2023, the median salary for law graduates in the US increased to US$90,000, with the median law firm salary reaching US$165,000 — a 10% rise from the previous year.  What’s more, the employment rate for the class of 2023 skyrocketed to 92.6%, the highest ever recorded since the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) began tracking employment rates in 1982. 

Similarly, in the UK, law graduates with an LLM enjoy strong career prospects. The average salary for solicitors in London is around 65,000 pounds and 89.9% of law students secure employment within six months of graduation, reflecting the value of advanced legal qualifications in both markets.

These dramatic upward trends clearly reflect the growing demand for advanced legal expertise. LLMs are a proven pathway to achieve this, thanks to their focus on specialisms in fields and valuable cross-border experiences. As you master international arbitration, corporate law, or intellectual property, you gain exposure to a mosaic of legal systems. It’s a win-win situation that’s rewarded many with roles in multinational firms, government agencies, or global organisations. 

Discover these four top law schools to kickstart your LLM journey:

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

For law professionals seeking to advance their careers and specialise in a specific field without breaking the bank, pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is an ideal choice. Specialising helps to deepen one’s expertise, which is essential in today’s competitive legal landscape – precisely what UIUC offers in its affordable LLM.

The demand for specialised legal talent is rising, particularly at large firms. According to the 2024 American Lawyer Laterals Report, the top 50 firms in the US made 1,407 lateral partner hires, a clear indication of the growing need for experienced legal professionals.

Enter UIUC’s College of Law (Illinois Law) — the law school that equips you with the skills, knowledge, and specialisations needed to stand out in the competitive market. It offers a robust LLM programme designed to help foreign-educated lawyers and those with a background in law or other fields excel. Ranked #36 among law schools nationwide, Illinois Law is renowned for its strengths in business law, criminal law, environmental law, and more.

The LLM is flexible. Here, students can choose from seven specialisations, including Corporate Law, Commercial Law and Trade, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property & Technology Law, International and Comparative Law, Justice, Democracy, and Legal Rights, Regulation, Sustainability and Compliance, and US Legal Practice Skills. There’s the option to start in either the fall or spring semester and complete the degree in two or three semesters as well, making it easier to the LLM to personal and professional goals.

Regardless of specialisation and start dates, all students benefit from a supportive faculty and a close-knit student community. Illinois Law is home to one of the largest international student populations among US public institutions. This diverse community is supported by many scholarship opportunities, including merit-based scholarships, allowing the college recruit students from all backgrounds to add to its campus vibrancy.Learn more about Illinois Law.

Since its establishment, over 23,000 students from 95 countries have graduated from the University of Miami School of Law. Source: University of Miami

University of Miami

If you’re an aspiring law student or legal professional looking to improve your skills and earn practical experience, the University of Miami’s School of Law is a great place to start. Home to one of the oldest LLM programmes in the US, you will learn what to expect on the job through hands-on learning opportunities, like practicums, moot courts, and clinics.

A top-ranked US law school with world-leading scholars and faculty in international law, human rights, business, and more, students learn in a vibrant city with many networking, internship, and externship opportunities.

Its unique experiential teaching and innovative curriculum are what sets the University of Miami’s legal graduates apart. For instance, you can structure your studies according to your professional goals in the General LLM programme, where you will study the US’s legal system. If you do not meet the English requirements, you can join the three-semester Intensive Legal English programme to improve your proficiency before starting your studies.

But suppose you have more precise career goals. In that case, you can opt for one of the school’s specialised programmes in entertainment, arts and sports law, estate planning, international arbitration, international law, maritime law, real estate or property development and tax.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be part of a community where students support and look out for each other, so you’ll develop your legal area of interest with ease and excel in your work experience – especially as Miami is home to the headquarters of multinational corporations such as Disney, Sony and FedEx. With many student success stories emerging from the Miami School of Law, you too are set to join the school’s growing global alumni network.

Durham Law School, ranked in the global top 50 by QS World Rankings, hosts over 60 outstanding research students from across the UK, mainland Europe, and worldwide. Source: Durham University/Facebook

Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University boasts a long and distinguished tradition of excellence, consistently ranking among the top universities in the UK and the world.

Durham’s reputation for academic achievement extends across various disciplines, with its Law School holding a particularly prominent position. It is ranked sixth in The Complete University Guide 2024, a position that attracts a diverse and talented student body from around the globe.

The hallmark of Durham’s Law School lies in its commitment to cutting-edge research and small-group teaching. Renowned faculty, many of whom are leaders in their respective fields, guide students through a rigorous curriculum that emphasises critical thinking, analytical skills, and practical application. This approach, delivered through seminars and tutorials, is highly valued by employers seeking graduates ready to practise in a demanding legal landscape as soon as they complete their degrees.

Durham’s LLM programmes offer a comprehensive range of specialisations, including Corporate Law, European Trade and Commercial Law, Intellectual Property Law, and International Environmental Law. Each programme explores the nuances of these specialised areas, drawing upon the university’s research strengths to provide students with an in-depth learning experience.

The result? Graduates from the programmes have become leading figures in the legal profession, holding prominent positions in the UK Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and various government bodies. Just ask Dr. Nils Krause, an Associate at White & Case. “Without a doubt, studying at Durham University opened the door to a truly international career through skills and networking opportunities,” he says.

In UC Davis School of Law’s one-of-a-kind Negotiations competition, students can hone their negotiation, mediation and arbitration skills. Source: University of California, Davis

University of California, Davis

Established in 1962, the University of California, Davis’s (UC Davis) School of Law has grown into a leading institution for legal education. Its American Bar Association (ABA) and Association of American Law Schools (AALS) accreditations and multicultural environment (48% students of colour) make the school a top choice for those seeking an exceptionally well-rounded legal education.

The School of Law runs a range of LLM programmes. There is the General LLM and the customised option, where you will study private or public international law, public interest law, human rights and social justice law, or work with your programme director to develop a tailored curriculum.

If you want an interdisciplinary education, you can pick the LLM with a Concentration. With specialisations in business, intellectual property, environmental, crime law and policy, immigration and tax law, graduates will earn a Masters of Laws degree along with a concentration certificate.

To further prepare LLM students for today’s globalised world, the school offers exchange programmes with partner law schools in Adelaide, Beijing and Copenhagen. Closer to home, its summer programmes provide classes, interactive activities, social events and more to attorneys, judges, pre-LLM students and legal professionals who want to enrich their academic journey and global network.

On campus, you’ll learn just as much from a vibrant community with more than 50 student organisations, six law journals and a packed calendar of law school events. There are faculty-directed intellectual centres that host expert talks on urgent issues related to labour, the environment, technology, international law and race and the law as well.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International