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An education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s (UIUC) College of Law can be life-changing for lawyers with a global perspective. Over 113 countries are represented on the UIUC campus and it is regularly ranked #1 or #2 for international students. No matter where you are from or where you to aspire to go, it’s fitting that its motto is: “Your law career begins at Illinois.”
From day one, every Illinois Law student is preparing to succeed in a competitive legal marketplace. Mentors, professors and staff help them achieve their educational and career goals. When you have done this since 1867, people take notice.
The 2022-23 US News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings rated Illinois as the #13 public university and the #41 national university. Illinois Law is one of the oldest law schools in the country. Ranking #23 on the Go-To Law School 2023 (National Law Journal), this prestigious institution attracts talented students from all over the world and from diverse backgrounds.
“While searching for the right university for my LLM studies, I discovered Illinois Law. Its lucrative programmes, high rankings, and affordable tuition made it the perfect choice for me, coming from Uzbekistan,” says Najmiddin Jamoliddinov (’23, Uzbekistan), an LLM graduate who currently works as an Associate at Leges Advokat, an elite law firm in Uzbekistan.
Another LLM graduate, Marya Alizahi (’22, Afghanistan), explains “I chose UIUC for my LLM degree due to its highly ranked and unique programme, but it offered much more. The university’s diversity and excellent libraries enriched my experience, allowing me to learn from people worldwide.”
Whether you’re on the path to corporate law, public interest advocacy, legal research, compliance or beyond — Illinois Law will get you there. The Master of Laws (LLM) programme offers specialised tracks. For instance, in addition to the general LLM degree, students can opt for the Bar Fundamentals Track. This allows students to focus on the courses and skills that best prepare them for the various U.S. bar exams. Alternatively, students can choose to deepen their expertise in a specific legal field by pursuing optional subject-matter concentrations. The concentrations include Corporate Law, Commercial Law and Trade, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, International and Comparative Law, Justice, Democracy, and Legal Rights, as well as Regulation, Sustainability, and Compliance.
These subjects are taught by the college’s acclaimed instructors, community-minded innovators, and interdisciplinary experts. Many are national leaders in various areas of law, and their highly cited research is shaping the modern legal landscape.
“I studied Corporate, Commercial Law, and Trade under the guidance of exceptional professors like Prof. Aviram and Professor Lawless,” Jamoliddinov says. “Professor Aviram was always available to give me additional reading materials and address all my questions after class. As a former LLM student himself, he empathised with our experiences, offering support in academics, college life and graduate studies.”
Elena Vinciguerra (’23, Italy), an LLM and Intellectual Property and Technology law graduate, felt just as empowered by her lecturers. “Among the exceptional educators, Professor Winship stood out while teaching Civil Procedure,” she says. “She always involves the whole class in discussions, and she even remembered me despite the class size. Another remarkable instructor was Professor Barich, who taught the Legal Clinic on Trademarks. During the clinic, we were assigned 5 start-up clients and represented them to file trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.”
Source: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Vinciguerra is not alone. At Illinois Law, students have the opportunity to put the principles learned in class into practice. Illinois is one of the few law schools that allow LLM students to participate in clinics. That’s not all. Illinois also offers a Trial Advocacy Programme, where students tackle real-world challenges and develop important skills, including trial advocacy, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution. Through the LLM Negotiation Competition and LLM Client Counseling Competition, students hone their oratory skills further. Vinciguerra has won second place in both competitions.
The Chicago Programme enhances the curriculum, boosts opportunities, and fosters closer alumni involvement in the college’s mission. Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Illinois Law offers the Chicago Programme as well. It features Chicago-based courses taught at leading law firms in the spring semester. Led by practitioners and faculty, classes are held at the Illini Center, The Chicago Bar Association, and offices of prominent law firms like Winston & Strawn, Foley & Lardner and Steptoe & Johnson. “The Chicago Programme offered me the incredible opportunity to learn from several alumni and practitioners about the actual practice of law,” says LLM graduate Alanna Román Abreu (’22, Dominican Republic). “This experience helped me enhance my problem-solving and communication skills and provided me with a strong support network.”
Students enjoy the best of both worlds: access to one of the world’s most engaging cities in Chicago and the experience of an idyllic college town. And it’s affordable! Set in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana in east-central Illinois, students benefit from low cost of living and a high quality of life. “I believe Illinois is the best place to be focused on your studies, with plenty of entertainment options,” Jamoliddinov says. “The college town offers the second biggest art museum in the state (Krannert Art Museum), regular band performances at Krannert Centre for Performing Arts, beautiful parks, pubs, clubs, and diverse cuisine in numerous restaurants.”
So, what are you waiting for? Click here to learn more about the University of Illinois College of Law.
