What is an LLM?
The LL.M. is an internationally established academic postgraduate law degree, which is usually obtained through a one-year study program. LL.M. is Latin for Legum Magister, signifying Master of Laws. In Latin abbreviations, the plural form of a word is indicated by doubling the letter - hence "LL." is short for Laws. The word legum is the possessive plural form of the Latin word lex, which means "specific laws". When used in the plural, it signifies a specific body of laws, as opposed to the general collective concept embodied in the word jus, from which the word juris and the modern English word "justice" derive.
For lawyers, in some ways the LL.M. is the equivalent of what an MBA is for business people. Many law firms prefer candidates holding an LL.M. degree as it indicates that a lawyer has enjoyed advanced legal training and is able to work in a multinational legal environment. However, prospective LL.M. students should be aware that the term LL.M. is not legally protected in many countries and is used in different ways by all kinds of institutions around the world.
A person wishing to become a lawyer and practice law first has to obtain a basic law degree, e.g. the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in the United Kingdom or the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in the United States. These generalized courses are designed to give students the basic skills and knowledge to become a lawyer. Law students wishing to gain specialized knowledge in a particular area of law can continue their studies in an LL.M. program.
In order to practice law, students have to pass a bar exam (or the equivalent exam in countries outside the United States, e.g. the "Zweite Juristische Staatsprüfung" in Germany). An LL.M. degree by itself does generally not entitle law students to practice law. In most countries, lawyers are not required to hold an LL.M. degree, and many do not choose to obtain one.
Some LL.M. programs, particularly in the United States and in Germany, are designed for teaching foreign lawyers the basic legal principles of the host country. They may or may not qualify the foreign students to take the bar-exam in their host country. In the U.S., some states allow foreign lawyers to gain admission to the bar once they have completed their LL.M. In other states, however, a J.D. is required in order to take the bar exam.
The graduation requirements for an LL.M. program may vary depending on the respective university regulations. Some programs are research oriented and require students to write a thesis, while others require students to take a set number of classes. Many LL.M. programs combine coursework and research opportunities.
