A Message from the Dean

Dear Prospective Applicant,

 There is only a short intellectual distance from Marshall McLuhan’s description of the world as a “global village” in 1962 to Thomas Friedman’s description of the world as “flat” in 2005.  Transformative inventions in telecommunications and transportation and a radical reconfiguration of the capital markets have combined to create an unprecedented 24/7/365 flow of goods, services, and individuals across geographic and political boundaries.

 The legal profession is not immune from these changes.  Law firms have established their own global villages consisting of branch offices, affiliations, and best friends relationships.  To respond to the demands of the marketplace, businesses have become global entrepreneurs and in-house legal departments, mini-U.N.’s, employing thousands of lawyers from different legal traditions. Individuals are migrating from foreign country to foreign country, forging the flat-world perspective of global citizenship.

 Today’s accomplished lawyer must be able to navigate the complicated terrain of the common law system and the U.S. regulatory framework in order to negotiate business transactions and resolve disputes.  St. John’s University School of Law will provide you with the tools you need to practice law in the Twenty-first Century.  Our LL.M. curriculum is specifically designed to immerse you in the fundamental building blocks of the U.S. legal system, while at the same time providing an ample opportunity to study areas of particular interest and learn the professional skills needed for a successful career.  We will work with you closely to maximize your chances of success on a state bar examination, if you are interested in obtaining that credential.  We will give you solid advice on course selection and curricular activities to enhance your career opportunities.

 I know that you have many options for study in the United States.  I urge you to enroll in St. John’s LL.M. program.  We have a well deserved reputation for graduating students who become leading cross-border practitioners.  Moreover, you will be joining a vibrant, welcoming community.  Both your professors and J.D. colleagues stand ready to greet you and smooth the way for your full integration in the U.S. legal community.  Our New York City location in the borough of Queens, the most ethnically diverse borough in the United States, is an added plus.  You can take advantage of an unrivaled multitude of cultural and culinary opportunities, while receiving the finest legal education.

 I look forward to your joining the St. John’s legal community in the years to come.
 

Mary C. Daly, Dean, School of Law