LLM in Comparative Legal Studies

The Master of Laws (LLM) in Comparative Legal Studies immerses students in the common law system practiced by United States attorneys so as to enhance their standing as lawyers or professionals in their own jurisdictions. In addition, students can develop a specialization that may not have been available in their previous schools. Students can take advantage of Pace’s oustanding programs in both Environmental Law and International Business Law to deepen their understanding of these key fields.

Current graduate students come from diverse countries and backgrounds. Some have practiced law abroad, while others are recent graduates. The program currently includes practicing attorneys and recent law school graduates from Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Many students also come to become more fluent in the English language and/or legal English in order to practice more effectively in the global legal environment. Some graduates qualify for practice in the United States to enhance their credentials to practice transnational law abroad. This program is designed to meet these goals.

The Master of Laws in Comparative Legal Studies is a one-year, full-time program or a two-year, part-time program designed for students whose first law degree was earned at a school outside the United States. Intended to enrich a student’s expertise for practice or scholarship in a specialized field of study, the program admits a small group each year, selected from professors, attorneys and recently graduated law students from around the world.

Degree Requirements
Candidates are required to complete 24 credit hours of coursework, including a faculty-guided writing project or seminar paper, while sustaining a grade point average of at least 2.33.

Comparative Law LLM Research and Writing
Research and writing are essential skills for lawyers of all cultures and legal systems. Pace offers numerous opportunities to enhance writing skills in English with an eye toward producing a required seminar or guided research paper of high quality.

Career Services
While many students return home after graduation to resume their practice, many Pace graduates seek work in the United States, either for a professional training internship or for long-term employment. Dean Shulman and the professional staff of the Center for Career Services work hard to help students find the best public and private sector career opportunities to fit individual students’ interests.