Here are three benefits of the program:
- Gain knowledge in the rapidly expanding cross-border practice of law. All students receive an in-depth education of transnational practice. In addition to the foundational Transnational Practice Skills courses, students take courses focusing on the increasing legal interconnectedness of the world. TLP students learn the law in bot traditional lectures and by engaging in supervised simulations meant to mimic transnational practice.
- Become a global attorney in New York City. Students benefit from St. John’s location in New York City. Our students can attend events focused on transnational practice, such as events at the New York City Bar Association, panels at major conferences like International Law Weekend, and visit the United Nations. We also bring esteemed practitioners onto campus to provide real-world insight to our students.
- Improve your legal English skills. The TLP program places a strong emphasis on communicating in legal English, and works with non-native English speakers to enhance these skills. TLP students take specialized courses focused on legal research, writing, and analysis. They also present during role play simulations and work on weekly writing assignments to improve their English. Our students leave TLP with an enhanced ability to work in English.
Students who wish to pursue admission the New York Bar Exam can meet the educational requirements for admission and learn the substantive information tested on the exam through the Bar Track. This is a good fit for students who want to be admitted as an attorney in New York, the most popular jurisdiction for foreign-educated attorneys.
- Degree Type
- LLM
- Area of Interest
- Law, Policy & Government
- Associated Colleges or Schools
- Program Location
- Queens Campus
- Required Credit Hours
- 24
Curriculum
Our Transnational Legal Practice Program has two tracks: one for students who opt to not take the New York Bar Exam (which includes students in the Collaborative Degree Programs with Université Catholique de Lyon and Beijing Institute of Technology), and a track for students who choose to take the New York Bar Exam (including the Collaborative Degree Program students who choose to remain for an additional semester).
TLP – Without Taking the New York Bar (Track 1)
Required Courses:
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing for International LL.M.s I and II (5 credits)
- Introduction to U.S. Law and Lawyering (3 credits)
- International Law (3 credits)
- International Business Transactions (3 credits)
- TPS – International Business Transactions
Elective Courses:
- International Commercial Arbitration
- International Environmental Law
- International Human Rights Law
- International Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- International Trade Law
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing for International LL.M.s I
- National Security and the Law
- Space Law
- TPS – International Law
- Transaction in Emerging Markets
- Transnational Legal Practice – Public International Law and Institutions
- Transnational Legal Practice – Cross Boarder Transactions and Dispute Resolution
Additional Electives:
Students may consult their academic advisor at the beginning of their program and at least once per semester about their academic goals to identify available elective courses. If a student wishes to enroll in courses outside of the courses set forth above, they will be required to seek approval from the Director for Graduate Academic Programs or the Dean for Academic Affairs.
TLP – With taking the New York Bar (Track 2)
Required Courses:
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing for International LL.M.s I and II
- Introduction to U.S. Law and Lawyering
- Professional Responsibility or Professional Responsibility: Global Context
Bar Tested Courses
Students must complete a minimum of 6 credits in courses in subjects tested on the New York bar examination or the New York Law Examination:
- Business Organizations
- Civil Procedure
- Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure: Adjudication
- Criminal Procedure: Investigation
- Evidence
- Family Law
- Foundational Doctrine & Skills: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure
- New York Civil Litigation Practice
- New York Criminal Practice
- Property
- Torts
Skills Courses
Students must complete a minimum of 3 credits in skills-based courses:
- Advanced Interviewing & Counseling
- Drafting: Contracts
- Drafting: Practice Documents (Fall and Spring)
- Introduction to Advocacy for LL.M.
- Lawyering Across Borders
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing for International LL.M.s I
- TPS – International Business Transactions
- TPS – International Law
Elective Courses
- Foundational Doctrine & Skills: Real Property and Civil Procedure
- International Business Transactions
- International Commercial Arbitration
- International Environmental Law
- International Human Rights Law
- International Law
- International Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- International Trade Law
- National Security and the Law
- Space Law
- Transaction in Emerging Markets
- Transnational Legal Practice – Public International Law and Institutions
- Transnational Legal Practice – Cross Boarder Transactions and Dispute Resolution
Additional Electives:
If a student wishes to enroll in elective courses outside of the courses set forth above, they will be required to seek approval from the Director for Graduate Academic Programs or the Dean for Academic Affairs.
Collaborative Degree Program with Université Catholique de Lyon and Beijing Institute of Technology
Students in the Collaborative Degree Program completing 12 credits must satisfy the following requirements:
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing for International LL.M.s I
- Introduction to U.S. Law and Lawyering
The elective courses listed for Track 1 are available electives for the Collaborative Degree Program students, in addition to International Business Transactions and TPS – International Business Transactions.
Students in the Collaborative Degree Program seeking eligibility for the New York bar exam must complete the requirements for Track 2.
Dual Diploma: LL.M. in International Trade and Investment Law/LL.M. in Transnational Legal Practice
St. John’s University School of Law and Lyon Catholic University Law School offer a dual LL.M. International Trade & Investment Law/LL.M. in Transnational Legal Practice program starting in September. The program, entirely taught in English, is designed specifically for students interested in working in international trade, customs, and investment positions. Topics include regional trade agreements (NAFTA, CAFTA, TPP), EU trade law, trade and development, TRIPs agreement, trade preferences, international banking regulation, and bilateral investment treaties.
The students will spend the Fall semester in Lyon (France) from September to December, and the Spring semester in New York City (U.S.A.) from January to May. This gives the unique chance to be immersed in two distinct linguistic, cultural and legal contexts.
All students enrolled in this track receive a dual diploma (an LL.M. in European and International Trade and Investment Law by Lyon Catholic University and an LL.M. in Transnational Legal Practice by St. John’s).
Interested students apply directly to UCLy. For more information, please visit UCLy's website.