Wake Forest University
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Build a global legal career with Wake Forest University

To succeed in law today, having a solid foundation is just the beginning. With technology transforming information exchange, legal professionals need to be adaptable as well. “Legal minds must understand the reality of communications and transactions moving with unprecedented velocity and with exponential impact in shaping public discourse and challenging notions of privacy, autonomy, and even the principles central to the philosophy of the nation-state”, says Professor Raina Haque, an expert in law and emerging technologies from Wake Forest University School of Law.

This perspective is woven into every aspect of legal education at Wake Forest Law in North Carolina. With a 130-year history of legal excellence, the university’s programmes, such as the Master of Laws (LLM), can train you to become a forward-thinking citizen lawyer ready to shape the future of law and policy.

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Wake Forest Law’s close-knit classrooms and practical learning experiences help you gain confidence and succeed. Source: Wake Forest University

Get ready for a changing legal world

Wake Forest Law’s LLM, one of the oldest in the US, helps international lawyers gain in-depth knowledge of the US legal system while refining their research and writing skills. Beyond this foundational learning, you will develop a global mindset that’s critical in today’s interconnected legal world.

“Students take classes focused on cutting-edge issues related to the law and markets of internet platforms, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies,” explains Professor Haque. “They graduate ready to lead their clients, communities, and organisations through the challenges and opportunities that come from increasing societal adoption of cutting-edge technologies.”

For alumni like Zolzaya Mundur from Mongolia, these courses had a lasting impact. “One course I found highly beneficial was Business Organisations, taught by Professor Alan Palmiter. It provided me with a strong foundation in US business law,” she shares. But the Business Organisations course wasn’t the only course that impacted Mundur’s career. The university offers many options that allow you to adjust your studies to your interests.

A legal education tailored to you

The LLM’s comprehensive curriculum is made up of diverse legal fields, including business law, criminal law, and intellectual property law. Mundur, for example, focused on international and business law. “I especially enjoyed Cross-Border Business Transactions by Professor Dick Schneider,” she says.

Other students, like Mathew Sulentic Cardoza from Venezuela, explored multiple areas of law. “Contracts highlighted the similarities and differences between my country and the US’s laws,” he shares. “Evidence, on the other hand, was an exhilarating ride. Coming from a Civil Law system, I was struck by the different rules.”

Wake Forest Law offers globally relevant courses that address today’s legal challenges as well. In Technology Law, students can explore topics like privacy law — a subject Sulentic found engaging. “Investigations aren’t usually fun, but the professor gave me enough room to explore, and I’m actually enjoying myself.”

If you’re more intrigued by environmental law and sustainability, you will cover natural resources law, administrative law, and so much more. Emphasising the importance of practical experience, Professor Sarah Morath, who teaches food law, environmental justice, and animal law, says “sustaining communities requires a strong grasp of environmental law and policy.”

To deepen this understanding, environmental law students can get direct insights from industry leaders through The Sabin Centre for Environment and Sustainability. Located together with the law school at the Worrell Professional Centre, the centre has featured a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

However, if these routes don’t interest you, you can simply create your own. No matter the path you take, you’ll be guided by over 100 teacher-scholars who bring real-world expertise into the classroom. “In Introduction to American Law, we got to conduct a mock trial before a Criminal Law judge,” says Sulentic.

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Wake Forest Law teaches students to use their legal skills to create positive change in their communities and beyond. Source: Wake Forest University

The right environment for your success

With strong academic programmes, distinguished faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, it’s no surprise that Wake Forest Law ranks #25 among the best law schools. But what truly sets it apart is its supportive environment.

Law faculty provide a personalised legal education, with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio and an average class size of 45 for first-year students. “The small class sizes here are a significant advantage compared to other LLMs,” says Mundur. “I appreciated the intimate setting, which encouraged open discussions with professors.” Plus, rather than being placed in separate classes, LLM students learn alongside JD students while receiving the same excellent training.

Outside the classroom, you have countless opportunities to connect and engage. There’s something for everyone, from pro bono work and trial teams to over 20 student organisations. Additionally, as the law school can be intense, Wake Forest Law prioritises student wellbeing with dedicated mental health support. This balance leads to real results: 89.9% of graduates start their legal careers successfully, while 92.4% pass the bar on their first try.

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