When Yingdong Xu attended an in-person recruiting event in Shanghai, China, he got to speak with two faculty members of the Vanderbilt University Law School. Having built an interest in commercial legal practice through his work in corporate law, he wanted to pursue a graduate degree abroad and further explore cross-border transactions.
The more he spoke with Dean Chris Guthrie and Professor and LL.M. Faculty Co-Director Yesha Yadav, the more the Vanderbilt LL.M. sounded like the right fit to advance his goals. “I feel like they treat any international student equally, provide exceptional support, and are always willing to help,” he said. “That’s the main reason I chose Vanderbilt.”
What awaited Xu over 7,000 miles away in Nashville, Tennessee, was a tight-knit community of LL.M. students from all over the world deepening their knowledge of the US legal system. A top US law school in 2024, according to Above the Law, Vanderbilt offers a programme that’s rigorous and customisable to your academic interests and career goals.
You’re supported by faculty who know the name of every student they teach. They’re some of the most cited experts for the latest legal topics through research and news, their disciplines ranging from antitrust laws to financial regulations, environmental law, and so much more. Alongside Vanderbilt Law School’s Career Services Office and alumni network, these faculty members are your ticket to landing experiential opportunities across the world.
In 2024, Vanderbilt faculty ranked ninth in scholarly impact among US law schools, according to the University of St. Thomas Law Journal. Source: Vanderbilt University
From track options to supportive faculty
A one-year programme where you’ll learn alongside Juris Doctor (J.D.) students, the LL.M. journey begins with choosing one of three curriculum tracks – all of them satisfying the requirements for students to sit for the New York Bar Examination.
The Course Track allows you to select courses from Vanderbilt Law School’s extensive general catalogue and focus entirely on coursework. The second track in Law and Business provides intensive training in corporate law, governance, finance, and more to equip you for careers centred on guiding businesses through complex legal and regulatory environments. In the Thesis track, you’ll work closely with a faculty advisor to produce a scholarly paper through a large research project.
Xu pursued the Course Track but was able to customise his curriculum to take several classes related to corporate and business law. “I chose not to follow the Law and Business track because I would like to build a comprehensive common law framework by studying the entire US legal system,” said Xu. “I’m very grateful for the flexibility to enrol in a wide range of corporate law courses beyond the track.”
Xu had to acclimate to how case law is conducted in the US and to Vanderbilt’s highly interactive teaching styles. Despite these differences, he enjoyed the diverse range of courses here, from Security Regulation with Professor Yesha Yadav to Corporations and Business Entities with Professor Amanda M. Rose.
“They are incredibly patient and genuinely supportive,” he said. “They welcome students to their office hours and invite them to coffee chats.”
In Shanghai, Xu’s conversations with the Vanderbilt Law School faculty were just a precursor to the community he’d find as a student in Nashville. Each cohort comprises a small yet well-rounded mixture of trained attorneys and recent law graduates from around the world. They come from various professional backgrounds, whether that’s the Seoul District Court in South Korea or the Brazilian Bar Association. While views may differ, the vibe is always the same: warm and personable.
Vanderbilt Law School’s career-focused education allows you to secure employment across the world. Source: Vanderbilt University
Hands-on learning in Nashville, Tennessee
With the help of the LL.M. Career Services team, you can take on short-term practical training experiences to apply what you’ve learned in class to real-world organisations.
“I didn’t come to the LL.M. just to study. I came to position myself for high-impact opportunities in the legal world,” said Giorgio Chioin, a LL.M. ‘25 graduate from Italy. He’d been working as a legal consultant in the energy and environmental law sector prior to Vanderbilt. “With Europe’s regulatory landscape shifting rapidly and the US playing a key role in global ESG and corporate sustainability, I want to be at the intersection of these changes,” he said.
Vanderbilt Law School first entered Chioin’s radar through a web fair hosted by the Environmental Law Institute, to which he found himself drawn to the Energy, Environment & Land Use programme – one of 10 academic programmes you can explore as an LL.M. student.
Since joining, he’s enjoyed the programme’s intellectual challenge, made many new friends, and taken part in a joint publication between Vanderbilt Law School and the Environmental Law Institute.
“Vanderbilt is a top-ranked institution with a strong reputation,” says Chioin. “It’s known as the ‘Ivy of the South,’ and I can definitely feel that as I’m studying here.”
Soon, Chioin will sit for the New York Bar Exam. In many states, including California and Texas, earning a Vanderbilt LL.M. degree, along with meeting additional criteria, allows international attorneys with a non-US law degree to sit for a bar exam. He’ll become part of Vanderbilt Law School’s 9,400 alumni network, who are practising in 50 states, 4 US territories, and 39 nations, driving positive change in the industry and beyond.
Apply for the LL.M. programme at Vanderbilt Law School today.
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