Legal Definitions - Master of Laws

A Master of Laws (LL.M.) is a postgraduate degree in law that is earned after completing graduate-level legal studies beyond the Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree. It is also known as a Master of Comparative Law (M.C.L.) or a Master of Juridical Science (M.J.S.).

For example, a lawyer who has completed a J.D. degree in the United States may choose to pursue an LL.M. degree in a specialized area of law, such as international law, tax law, or intellectual property law. This additional degree can enhance their legal knowledge and skills, and may lead to better job opportunities or higher salaries.

Another example is a foreign lawyer who wants to practice law in the United States. They may need to obtain an LL.M. degree from an American law schoolin order to meet the educational requirements for admission to the bar in certain states.

The LL.M. degree is typically a one-year program, although some schools offer part-time or online options that can be completed over a longer period of time. The curriculum may include coursework, research, writing, and practical experience such as internships or clinics.