Why is LLM required?

Asked by: Martine Howell  |  Last update: February 16, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (32 votes)

The LLM was created for lawyers to expand their knowledge, study a specialized area of law, and gain international qualifications if they have earned a law degree outside the U.S. or Canada. If you're looking to advance your legal career or take the next step in your academic journey, an LLM could be for you.

What is the point of getting an LLM?

An LLM course will get you to dedicate between one to two years of your life, depending on whether you attend a full- or part-time program, to training and acquiring the specialist in-depth knowledge, skills and experience needed for a long and prosperous career in one area of law.

Why is LLM needed?

An LL. M. program allows individuals to deepen their understanding and knowledge in a specific area, making them experts in their chosen field. This specialization can open doors to exciting career opportunities and set individuals apart in a competitive job market.

What is the significance of LLM?

LLMs will likely reduce monotonous and repetitive tasks in the same way that robots did for repetitive manufacturing tasks. Possibilities include repetitive clerical tasks, customer service chatbots, and simple automated copywriting.

Do you need a LLM to be a lawyer?

While it's not necessary to have an LLM to be a practicing lawyer, many professionals pursue one because it can make them more desirable candidates in a specific area or within a large law firm that handles international clients. An LLM may also provide you with the qualifications to become a firm partner.

LLM Explained | What is LLM

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Is an LLM higher than a JD?

An LLM takes a lawyer deeper, to gain "advanced knowledge in a specific area of law for career advancement, upward mobility, and/or expanded practice opportunities." The primary difference in the curriculum is that a JD program covers general law concepts; the LLM is focused on a specific area of expertise.

Do you need an LLM to take the bar?

If you have been fully admitted to the practice of law in any U.S. or foreign jurisdiction, you are qualified to take the California Bar Examination without additional legal education.

What is the usefulness of LLM?

Benefit: LLMs can comprehend context, nuance, and intent in the text that was input into it, which allows for more intuitive human-computer interaction. The large language model enables the discovery of new insights and connections across diverse fields.

Why get an LLM after JD?

For those who obtain a JD in the United States or an equivalent law degree in another country, a Master of Laws (LLM) provides a path to career advancement and possible specialization in a particular field of law.

Is an LLM in the US worth it?

When determining whether an LLM degree is worth pursuing, it is important to recognize that its value extends far beyond academic achievement. Attaining an LLM degree lays the foundation for both immediate entry into the legal profession and long-term career development.

Is a master of laws worth it?

An MLS degree unlocks advanced roles with higher salaries. An MLS degree enhances your resume, making you a more competitive candidate for your dream jobs far into the future. In general, professionals with a Master's degree earn roughly 16% more than those with a Bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.

What are LLM used for?

What is a large language model (LLM)? A large language model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) program that can recognize and generate text, among other tasks. LLMs are trained on huge sets of data — hence the name "large."

What do LLM programs look for?

Many LLM CAS–participating schools require that applicants have completed, or be in the process of completing, a first professional degree in law, be licensed to practice law, or have significant experience in legal practice.

Is LLM cash cow?

The Cost of LLM Programs

However, for many law schools, LLM degrees are a major cash cow. For a majority of students currently enrolled in law school, an LLM is a fourth year of study. That fourth year of study is on top of three years of law school tuition, expenses, cost of living, etc.…. In other words – Debt.

How much does an LLM cost in the US?

On average, the LLM fees in the USA range between 66,924 USD and 75,572 USD yearly. The cost of living can go up to 30,000 USD per month. You must also consider the pre-arrival expenses, which include the application fee, visa fee, SEVIS fee, etc.

Which LLM is most in demand?

Have a look at some of the most popular LLM programs below!
  • Master of laws in Administrative Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in National Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Economic Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Jurisprudence.
  • Master of laws in Human Rights Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Dispute Resolution Studies.

Is JD harder than LLM?

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.

Is LLM a terminal degree?

An LL. M. is known as a terminal degree, which means that it is the highest level or most advanced degree in the study of law.

Can I get an LLM without a JD?

Technically, you can pursue an LLM degree without ever earning your JD. That's only possible, however, if you're an international student who studied law outside of the U.S. “You have to have what we call a first law degree. In the U.S., your basic first law degree is the JD, so you do need it to get your LLM.

Why would you get an LLM?

The LLM was created for lawyers to expand their knowledge, study a specialized area of law, and gain international qualifications if they have earned a law degree outside the U.S. or Canada. If you're looking to advance your legal career or take the next step in your academic journey, an LLM could be for you.

Is LLM needed?

Career-wise, LLB allows you to take the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and practice law in court, opening doors to lawyer, legal advisor, or paralegal roles. While not mandatory for practice, an LLM significantly boosts your expertise in a chosen field.

Does an LLM help you get a job?

Expand Your Career Possibilities

A major factor that makes an LLM degree worth it is the competitive edge in the job market. The LLM can help you get your foot in the door at a law firm, corporate legal department or government agency.

Can you be a lawyer with just an LLM?

A JD or an LLM can prepare you for a legal career, but you can't become a licensed lawyer without a JD degree. Also, a JD degree program takes longer and has a broader scope than an LLM program. What really determines if a JD or an LLM is the right one for you are your long-term career goals.

What states accept LLM?

Many states in the U.S. allow foreign-trained attorneys with (or without) a U.S. LL. M. degree to sit for the bar exam combined with other requirements. These states include Texas, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington.

What does LLM require?

To earn the Master of Laws degree, U.S. law school graduates must fulfill the following requirements: completion of 24 credit hours, including the required curriculum and written work in the specialized programs (see Written Work Requirement and Curriculum, below); attendance for an enrollment period of a minimum of ...