Getting Your Cross-Border LL.M.: The Basics

In New York alone, $33.8 billion in goods are traded with Canada every year.

With growing international trade - and subsequent politics and other cross-border interactions - comes the need for cross-border legal oversight. That means international lawyers are in high demand. And, as with any career, more education means more opportunities - both as a recent graduate and established attorney.

If you’re interested in fast-tracking your global law career, here’s what you need to know.

Benefits

Lawyers with cross-border education can find work anywhere in the world.

Due to increasing cross-border communication and trade, international lawyers may find jobs easier to come by despite the overall legal field’s saturation. This is true in both the public and private sectors.

Requirements

To get your LL.M. in cross-border legal studies, you’ll need a first degree in law. Some schools will allow you to complete a J.D. and LL.M. at the same time, however, that is not currently an option at UB School of Law.

A cross-border LL.M. program typically takes a year to complete, with a mandatory capstone course.

Salary

As with any job, your salary will depend on your field of study and career path. Additionally, because international law can take you anywhere in the world, jobs vary greatly across location, employer, and field.

The starting salary for an associate in a New York law firm ranges from $82,000 to $86,000. Experienced international attorneys can make well over $150,000 per year.

Cross-border law work may be short-term, long-term, or project-based.

Career Options

What can you actually do with a Master’s in International Law? You can choose to work in any of the following sectors (or blaze your own trail):

Government
Courts
Academics
Private sector
Consulting or mediation
Non-profit groups

What are employers looking for?

Your LL.M. degree gives you a unique advantage. How else can you make your resume stand out? Optional (but highly recommended) resume builders include:

Clinical experience
Law review experience
International study or legal work
Association with the ABA’s Section of International Law
Mentorship from an experienced international attorney
Foreign language proficiency
Strong interest in practicing law in a multicultural setting

Want to know more about getting a postgraduate international law degree? Check out our Cross-Border LL.M. page or contact our Admissions Office! We’re happy to answer any questions.

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