Program

The LL.M. program begins with a one-week orientation introducing our LL.M. students to the faculty and staff. You tour the library and receive instruction in various databases useful for legal research. You also participate in discussions about the Socratic method of teaching and the differences between civil and common law and other differences you might encounter as a student at a United States law school. In addition, social events such as a Cardinals baseball game are a part of your orientation to the School of Law and to St. Louis.

LL.M. Study

All international LL.M. students are required to take a two semester course for a total of four credits. Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Methods is a specially designed course giving our international students a broad overview of U.S. law and our legal system with a focus on legal research and writing. You will have many opportunities for individual critique and revisions of your written work as well as conferences with the professors.

You may choose your other courses from the basic courses offered to all first-year law students or from advanced courses that complement your area of interest. Most courses conclude with written final examinations.

Judicial Observation Program

Honorable David Noce, Tulin Demir,
Michelle Shoresman

Washington University is one of only two universities nationwide to offer a judicial observation program for international LL.M.s. If you choose to participate you will be paired with a federal judge for 4-6 weeks during the summer after graduating from the LL.M. program. You will have a unique opportunity to gain a close-up, personal look at the judicial system of the United States. You will write memoranda and orders for the judge, view pretrial motions, witness jury selection, sentencing and more. You will gain a deeper understanding of what you learned in the classroom and develop practical skills that can be used when you return to practice in your home country.

The Judicial Observation Program allows international LLMs to have the unique opportunity to work with a judge for six weeks after completing the LLM. Tulin Demir, LLM'04, Turkey, worked with the Honorable Judge David Noce. She wrote memoranda and orders for the judge, viewed pretrial motions, witnessed jury selection, and sentencing and used the practical skills she learned in the LLM program.

View a brief excerpt from an interview with a student from Nigeria discussing the International LLM program at Washington University School of Law. This QuickTime video is available in three different versions, each maximized for the speed of your connection, 28.8 modems, 56K modems, and faster connections. Depending upon the type of connection, replay times may vary.

Graduation

Professor John Haley and Sena Dei-Tutu, Class of ’02

LL.M. degrees are awarded to those students who successfully earn 20 hours of academic credit by completing two semesters of study at the School of Law. Grades of "High Pass," "Pass," or ""Fail" are awarded. Successful degree candidates must average passing marks from all courses. You are generally expected to complete the program during one academic year, although the School of Law may grant special permission for an extension.

Kazuhiro Koide '03

Kazuhiro Koide

"After graduating LLM,I studied at Criminal Court House in downtown St. Louis. I went to Judge Wilson's Court every day and watched criminal procedures and trials. The Judge gave me some legal materials to study. They are my treasures. My purpose was to study the jury system. Japan doesn't have jury system, judges decide the cases. Currently, Japan is introducing a kind of jury system where Judge and jury decide the cases on limited basis."

"The U.S. jury system is very impressive. At a jury trial, twelve ordinary people who Are of different races and nationalities, sit on the same bench and consider the evidence carefully. When the jury trial is over, Judge Wilson shakes hands with the jury. He says, "we are appreciated with your sacrifice, without your dedication, our Judicial System would not work. " In the Court House, I learned not only Legal Practice but also about the U.S. This was the best time in my life."