American LLMs preparing international students for global graduate success

LLM  graduates are set up for success, whether they work in their home country or build a career abroad. As businesses become more global, the demand for legal professionals with specialised expertise is growing. In fact, the legal industry is expected to see a 5% job growth from 2022 to 2032 — faster than the average for all occupations.

American LLM. programmes prepare international students with the legal knowledge, global perspective, and professional connections they need to thrive. Amal Clooney, who earned her LLM from NYU, has built a distinguished career in international law and human rights, representing high-profile clients and advocating for global justice. Fareed Zakaria, a Yale LLM graduate, took a different path, using his legal education to become a renowned journalist and political commentator, shaping global discussions on law, policy, and diplomacy.

From top-tier law firms to media and international advocacy, LLM graduates prove that a US legal education opens doors worldwide. Here are three universities that can help follow in their footsteps and achieve global career impact:

Florida State University College of Law offers an unmatched location in downtown Tallahassee, steps from the Florida Supreme Court and Capitol, providing unique legal opportunities. Source: Florida State University

Florida State University

Florida State University College of Law ranks #3 in the US for best student quality of life and #6 for best professors, (The Princeton Review 2024). The American Bar Association recognises its strength, placing it #6 nationally — and #1 in Florida — for 2023 graduates employed in bar passage-required or JD advantage jobs within 10 months of graduation.

For law professionals looking to advance their careers without spending a fortune, Florida State Law’s Master of Laws (LLM) programme at Florida State University College of Law is a top-tier choice. Combining academic excellence with affordability, it offers international lawyers a strong foundation in the American legal system with a strong return on investment.

The LLM in American Law is a programme designed for international lawyers that’s flexible and customisable. You can prepare for the US bar exam while tailoring your studies with courses in areas such as commercial law, international law, intellectual property, environmental law, or criminal law. With a mix of foundational courses and electives, you can shape your curriculum to match your long-term goals. It’s your LLM, thus it’s you who writes your individualised academic plan (with faculty guidance). And by studying alongside JD students, you’re set to gain a broader legal perspective and expand your professional connections.

Beyond the classroom, Florida State Law provides extensive opportunities for hands-on learning. You can access externships in over 100 legal offices across Florida and beyond. The law school operates 10 clinics, where you will work directly with clients across various legal fields, developing essential advocacy skills. They focus on topics within business law, public interest law, and bankruptcy law. Complementing these clinics, Florida State Law also houses specialised centres such as the Stoops Centre for Law and Business, and the Institute for Law, Technology, and Innovation. These spaces focus on emerging fields like AI and cryptocurrency, offering you and your peers the chance to thoroughly explore the intersection of law and innovation.

Located in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital, Florida State Law offers abundant career opportunities. With the second-highest number of lawyers per capita in the US, the city offers a dynamic legal environment at a lower cost of living than other major metropolitan areas. The law school’s proximity to the state Capitol, the Florida Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and key government agencies further enhances your access to networking, internships, and job opportunities.

Learn more about Florida State University College of Law.

The College of Law at Illinois, one of the nation’s oldest, boasts influential faculty, a collegial student body, and a powerful alumni network. Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, College of Law

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Talented, ambitious, and adaptable — these are some words to describe students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) College of Law. Since its founding in 1867, UIUC has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement.

To pursue an education at the College of Law is a chance for students to reap the same benefits. Its faculty consists of industry leaders, acclaimed teachers, and interdisciplinary experts with a long tradition of equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and temperament they need to achieve professional excellence within the legal industry.

The College of Law has a rich history in graduate-level education. Their Master of Laws (LLM) programme is one of the oldest in the country. The college also offers Master of Studies in Law (MSL), Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD), and Visiting Scholars programmes.

Students in the LLM course complete 32 credit hours. With only two required courses, they can customise their LLM by choosing from over 100 courses offered by the college or learning across disciplines. Those who wish to deepen their knowledge in a particular legal field can apply for an optional subject-matter concentration with their LLM degree.

Experiential learning complements classroom learning for a well-rounded legal education. Specifically, LLM students can join client counselling competitions, intern at the UIUC Office of Student Legal Services, earn pro bono notations, and many more. These will help them build the necessary practical legal skills to become competent legal professionals.

UC Berkeley Law offers unmatched excellence, a supportive community, and a strong public mission — preparing the next generation of impactful lawyers and leaders. Source: The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law / Facebook

UC Berkeley

Consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the nation, Berkeley Law is one of 14 schools and colleges at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley).

Berkeley Law’s cutting-edge legal tech and innovation programmes are helping people who need it most. At the AI, Platforms, and Society Centre, students, academics, practitioners, and technology companies are exploring technical and governance strategies to support responsible technology development and use.

The school’s 14 law clinics — six at the law school and eight at the East Bay Community Law Center — offer students a foundation in law and practice while hands-on client work builds critical lawyering skills. They cover many areas of law, including seeking justice for people facing the death penalty, offering free legal advice, and addressing environmental justice.

This complements world-class programmes like the LLM (Master of Laws). From entertainment law to advanced topics in corporate governance, students can choose from a wide range of elective modules to specialise in up-and-coming fields. Guidance comes from expert faculty (including a former San Francisco district attorney), unique simulation courses, and impactful law clinics like the International Human Rights Law Clinic, one of the first human rights clinics in the country.

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