Transcript Masters of Studies in Law

An Overview, Tips for Applying and
Finding Funding
Sarah Gonzales
Assistant Director
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
Pepperdine University School of Law
Copyright © Gonzales 2014
Legal Education System
 Law School – usually sit within
universities
 200+ law schools
 Approximately 141,000 law
students
 47% of law students are
female
Accreditation
• Regional vs American Bar Association (ABA)
VS
Before Applying
 Do you want to be a lawyer?
 If so, where do you want to practice? US, UK or elsewhere?
 Do you want to be something other than a lawyer?
 If so, is law school the best means to that end?
 Not sure if law school is right for you?
 Consider working before going back to school
Degrees Offered
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
 Post-bachelors degree
 Three-year
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
 Post-JD or foreign law degree
 One-year
Doctor of Jurisprudence (S.J.D.)
 Three to five years
 PhD equivalent
JD Degree
• First Degree of Law Needed by US Candidates to
Practice in the US
• Comparable to an LL.B. in Law
• 3 Years of General Law Education That Can Include
Criminal Law, Contracts, Real Property, Torts,
Corporations, Wills and Trusts, Remedies, Evidence,
and more.
LLM Degree
 Advanced Masters Level Law Degree for Attorneys and Judges
 Open to US and International Candidates Depending on
University
 Ability to Create an Area of Specialty or Learn About US Law
 Possible Topic Areas
(general w/emphasis or specialized
degree)
• General LLM for International
Attorneys
• Taxation
• Dispute Resolution
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Intellectual Property
Environmental Law
International Law
And More…
SJD Degree
 Doctorate of Law
 For Candidates Looking to Enter Academia
 Focus on Research and Writing
 Can Have A General Focus or Area of Specialization
 Look out for LLM to SJD Transfer Programs
Emergence of Non-Law Degree Options
Landscape of Law School Are Changing
• Alternative Degree Options Emerging for human resources, labor,
business, and other non-law fields.
• Bachelor’s Degree can be in other areas
• Not eligible to practice law
Examples:
Masters of Dispute Resolution - Pepperdine University
Masters of Studies in Law (MSL)– Wake Forest
Masters in Legal Studies – Arizona State University
Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) – UC Hastings
Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) – Yale
J.D. vs LL.M. Degrees:
How to Choose the Right Program
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J.D.
Graduate level:
post Bachelor degree
General Studies
3-year program
Designed to allow for U.S.
Practice & Licensing
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LL.M.
Graduate level:
post first law degree
General/Specialized Studies
1-year program
Designed to provide specialty
knowledge
Note that different career opportunities may be available depending on
whether you have a JD or a foreign law degree with an LLM
Hybrid Program Options
 LLM to JD Transfer Program
 Start with a LLM and Transfer Into a JD Program
 JD / LL.M. Joint Programs
 Earn Both an LLM with a JD in Three Years
 2 Year JD for International Attorneys
Choosing Schools
Take a look at…
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Location
Reputation of school and faculty
Course selection and areas of specialty
Availability of clinical programs
Any special characteristics that are important to you
Then,
 Select a range of schools that you would be happy to
attend
Finding a School
 www.lsac.org (J.D. and LLM programs)
 www.llm-guide.com and www.petersons.com (LL.M.
programs)
 Check for ABA accreditation (over 200 ABA-approved
schools)
 ABA Guide to Law Schools
 Check for U.S. Dept. of Education accreditation
What to Expect in the Classroom
 Differs Per Program
 Frequently, J.D. and LL.M.
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students take courses together
Wide age-range of students
Socractic method:
heavy reading load,
participation is expected and required
Professors are approachable, accessible
Entire course grade may be based on written final exam
Becoming Licensed to Practice United States Law
• In the U.S., you must be licensed in
the state in which you intend to
practice
• Resource: http://www.ncbex.org
(Comprehensive Guide to Bar
Admissions, updated annually)
Becoming Licensed to Practice United States Law
Education
• Will my degree qualify me to sit for a US bar exam?
• If it will not, can I get an LL.M. and then sit for a U.S.
bar exam?
The Bar Exam
• Given twice per year
• Two days (except CA)
In addition to
the Bar Exam
• MPRE
• Character and Fitness
• Pro Bono
Application process
 Rolling admissions APPLY EARLY!
Or Strict Deadlines
 Prepare a timeline for your application process:
 LSAT
 Recommenders
 Transcripts
 Essays
 Any other components: Resume, optional statements, etc.
The Personal Statement
What should you
address?
 Motivation
 Career goals
 Interest in the legal
profession
 Experience in leadership,
service, or diverse
environments
Suggestions
 Identify and address most
critical issues
 Polish and proofread!
 Consider tailoring to fit
different schools
 Support with details
 Add addendums if needed
 Avoid legal analysis
Application Examinations
 Examinations English Proficiency Exams
May Be Waived for Native English Speakers
May not be required for some JD programs with LSAT exam
 TOEFL
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IELTS
 LSAT –
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Required for JD Program
Not required for LLM programs
Letters of Recommendation
 Be Strategic
 Think about what you are trying to communicate
 Academic, Work Experience, Potential in the field?
 Don’t Just Focus on Titles
 Law schools prefer letters from someone who is impressed
with you; not someone whom you believe will impress the
school.
Law School Admission Council
lsac.org
http://lsac.org/jd/applying-to-law-school/cas/internationally-educated-apps/
Evaluation Agencies
 Some Universities Accept Transcripts Directly
 Many Universities Use Third Party Evaluation Agencies
to Provide Reports and Verify University Transcripts.
 Translation of Grades
 Ranking of School/Program
 Verification of Degree Completion
Check With Your Intended University To See Which
Services They Use or Accept.
Sources of Funding
Internal Scholarships
External Scholarships
 Fellowships
 Third Party Organizations
 Regional Scholarships
 Subject Based Scholarships
 Organizational Scholarship
 University Scholarship/Grants
Look out for differing deadlines!
Pepperdine University School of Law
Scholarships Available
Pepperdine JD
 Faculty Scholars Award
 Full Tuition plus $5,000 living stipend
 Dean’s Scholarship
 ¼ to Full Tuition
 Diversity Scholarship
 ¼ to Full Tuition
 President’s Award
 $2000 Award
M.D.R. or LL.M. in
Dispute Resolution
 Partial Scholarships Consider at
the Point of Admission
 Full Tuition Beijing Arbitration
Commission (BAC) Scholarship
 Full Tuition JAMS Scholarship
 Full Tuition Seegmiller Law Firm
Scholarship
Sources of Funding
Internal Scholarships
External Scholarships
 Fellowships
 Third Party Organizations
 Regional Scholarships
 Subject Based Scholarships
 Organizational Scholarship
 University Scholarship/Grants
Look out for differing deadlines!
Some External Scholarships
 Fulbright Program for Foreign Students
 JAMS Foundation- Weinstein International Fellowship Program
 The Rotary Foundation
 Organization of American States
 IIE Iraq Scholars and Leaders Program
 Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships
 COPOCYT-CONACTY Annual Scholarship Program
 American Association of University Woman Fellowship and Grants
 P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund for Women
 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship for Leadership Development
 Canadian Federation of University Women
 TOEFL Scholarship Program
Free Scholarship
Listings
http://law.pepperdine.edu/straus/admissions/scholarships.htm
Pepperdine University School of Law
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JD Degrees Granted
 JD
 JD/MBA
 JD/M.D.R.
 JD/Masters in Public Policy
 Accelerated 2 Year JD Program/Cert in DR
Special Programs
 Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
 Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship & the Law
 Nootbaar Institute on Law, Religion & Ethics
 Global Justice Program
 Pepperdine-Union Rescue Mission Legal Aid Clinic
 Special Education Advocacy Clinic
 Asylum Clinic
 University of Copenhagen Exchange Program
 University of Augsburg Exchange Program
Dispute Resolution Programs
• Certificate
• Masters in Dispute Resolution (M.D.R)
• LL.M. in Dispute Resolution with
Concentrations available in:
•General LLM in Dispute Resolution
•Mediation
•Arbitration
•International Commercial
Arbitration
•Litigation
•International Commercial Law and
Arbitration
Why Study at Pepperdine?
 Wonderful location!
 Established Reputation
Ranked #1 for 10 consecutive years by
US News & World Report
 Diverse Student Body
 Practical Experience
 Creative Scheduling
 Established Faculty
Sarah Gonzales
Assistant Director, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
Pepperdine University School of Law
[email protected] | Skype: StrausInstitute