Can I do LLB and LLM together?
Asked by: Keagan Emmerich | Last update: February 4, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (16 votes)
Yes, you can pursue an LLM (Master of Laws) after completing your LLB (Bachelor of Laws) to specialize in a particular field, or you can enroll in a dual degree program (like JD/LLM in the US) that combines a professional law degree with a master's, allowing you to earn both in a shorter time, often by applying during your first year of law school and completing both in roughly 3-4 years total. While you can't typically do an LLB and LLM simultaneously as one is a bachelor's and the other a master's, integrated programs offer an efficient path, and you can also pursue them sequentially.
Is an LLM better than an LLB?
Both are important but serve different purposes; LLB is an entry-level degree for aspiring legal practitioners, while LLM is an advanced degree to specialize in law. The difference between the two is relatively critical for those deciding their next step in legal education.
Is LLM enough to become a lawyer?
Both the LLM and the Juris Doctor (J.D.) are degrees in legal studies that aspiring lawyers pursue to practice law. While a J.D. is the required degree U.S. lawyers must have to practice, an LLM is an advanced and optional degree in legal studies that J.D. holders can earn.
Which LLM is most in demand?
Top 10 LLM Specializations in Demand in 2025 – Scope, Salary & Career Opportunities
- LLM in International Law.
- LLM in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- LLM in Human Rights Law.
- LLM in Environmental Law.
- LLM in Cyber Law / Technology Law.
- LLM in Taxation Law.
- LLM in Arbitration, Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Can you practice law with just LLM?
But an LL. M. degree does not qualify one to practice law in the US. That requires slaying a different beast: the bar exam.
What Is the Difference Between a JD Degree, LLM Degree, and Master of Legal Studies?
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Some earn less than $50,000. Others exceed $500,000 by leveraging ownership, building client pipelines, and managing firm expenses. In firms with 26 to 50 attorneys, nearly one in three partners report earnings over $500,000.
Is LLM harder than JD?
In some ways, an LLM may be harder because of its specialized curriculum and thesis requirements. However, the JD is often believed to be harder because it takes longer to complete and is the first time students are introduced to legal theories and the rigorous demands of law school.
What is the biggest problem with LLM?
Let's explore some of their main limitations:
- Hallucinations (Making Up Information) One weird thing about LLMs is that when they don't know the answer, they often won't admit it. ...
- Limited Reasoning Skills. ...
- Limited Long-Term Memory. ...
- Limited Knowledge. ...
- Bias. ...
- Prompt Hacking.
What is the average salary for an LLM in the US?
Average Salary After LLM:
Fresh Graduates: $60,000 to $80,000 per year. Experienced Professionals: $100,000 to $150,000 or more per year in high-demand fields like Corporate Law or Intellectual Property.
What is a good LLM GPA?
What is the typical LLM GPA requirement? There is no universal GPA requirement for LLM programs, but top US programs expect a strong academic record. While 3.0 on a 4.0 scale may serve as a general minimum, competitive applicants often present a GPA above 3.5.
Can you sit the bar with an LLM?
Eligibility to sit for a particular state bar exam varies from state to state. In some states, including New York, California, and Texas, the completion of an LL. M. degree along with certain other criteria will allow attorneys with a non-U.S. law degree to sit for the bar exam.
Why does LLM fail?
This happens because:
LLMs generate very confident responses, even when they're wrong. There's no human-in-the-loop (HITL) validation. Critical decisions get automated without a human checking for errors or biases. Without clear policies, AI is deployed without understanding security risks or compliance implications.
Is LLB equivalent to JD?
Between 1964 and 1969, at the encouraging of the American Bar Association, most American law schools (including Marquette) upgraded their basic law degree from the traditional “LL. B.” to “J.D.,” to reflect the by then almost universal postgraduate status of the degree.
What are the disadvantages of LLM?
LLMs often falter in understanding larger or implicit context within a text. While they perform well with immediate context and long sentences, longer documents with complex narratives can pose challenges. This limitation can lead to errors in translations where understanding the broader context is crucial.
Can LLMs replace human lawyers?
“The tools actually are not there to basically substitute [for] your lawyer,” says Afra Feyza Akyurek, the lead author of the paper. “Even though a lot of people think that LLMs have a good grasp of the law, it's still lagging behind.”
What does LLB stand for?
An LLB is a Level 6 undergraduate law course, equivalent to a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science). The term LLB is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'Legum Baccalaureus', which means Bachelor of Laws.
What percentage of lawyers make $500,000?
Around 24% of solo law firms earn between $250k to $500k per year. On the other hand, only around 16% of attorneys at large firms with more than 25 attorneys earned this much.
Why is LLM so powerful?
Additionally, LLMs can handle zero-shot or few-shot learning, where a model performs a task it wasn't explicitly trained on, like classifying sentiment in a non-English language with minimal examples. This adaptability makes LLMs practical tools for developers working on diverse projects with limited resources.
Is LLM bad at math?
This nuance underscores their tendency to replicate statistical patterns instead of performing the step-by-step procedures that come naturally to a human. LLMs often make arithmetic mistakes, produce flawed proofs, or get stumped by problems that specialized math software handles easily.
Is LLM in demand?
It not only deepens your legal knowledge but also opens doors to high-paying and respected career opportunities. With the growing demand for legal experts in corporate, academic, and government sectors, pursuing an LL. M in 2025 can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Are LLM degrees worth it?
Earning an LLM offers several advantages, including increased earning potential and stronger positioning when transitioning into a specialized practice area. Lawyers seeking to break into a specialized legal field may find it easier to do so with a relevant LLM degree.
Can you be a lawyer with a LLM?
1-Year LLM and 2-Year LLM graduates may be eligible to sit for the bar exam in New York, California, Washington D.C., or Washington. Online LLM graduates may be eligible to sit for the bar exam in California.
What is the toughest year of law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
What is the easiest law school to get into?
15 Easiest Law Schools To Get Into
- Loyola University of New Orleans College of Law. ...
- Southern Illinois University School of Law. ...
- Charleston School of Law. ...
- Western Michigan University Thomas M. ...
- Southern University Law Center. ...
- North Carolina Central University School of Law. ...
- Appalachian School of Law.