Introduction
International trade continues to turn increasingly towards international arbitration to resolve cross-border commercial and investment disputes. The White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Program and its preeminent faculty would be delighted to help students open doors to the world of international arbitration.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
The LL.M. in International Arbitration provides a unique individualized educational curriculum and opportunity for a small group of top-quality students from a range of countries, wishing to acquire an in-depth grounding in the field of international arbitration as a platform for a successful career. The program - the only one of its kind in the United States - is ideal for:
Recent U.S. or foreign-trained law graduates, who wish to specialize in this field;
Experienced U.S. or foreign-trained attorneys looking to redirect their careers or deepen their expertise in this field;
Current Miami Law students looking to focus on this field with a joint degree; and
Current students from other law schools in the U.S. or abroad wishing to attend Miami Law as visiting or foreign exchange students and looking to specialize in this field.
Why Miami for the Study of International Arbitration?
Location - The University of Miami School of Law is prominently positioned, academically and geographically, for the study of international arbitration. Miami is a major international trade and finance center at the “portal to the Americas” and a well sought-after venue for resolving international disputes through arbitration. Miami Law has created a unique infrastructure for students to network with international arbitration practitioners in Miami and beyond.
Distinguished Faculty, Unparalleled Curriculum & Personalized Mentorship - The International Arbitration LL.M. Program offers specialized theoretical and practical courses on all aspects of international commercial and investment arbitration. Students are taught by an internationally-renowned faculty, comprised of “world-class arbitrators,” including Jan Paulsson, J. Martin Hunter, and Carolyn Lamm, who frequently are recognized by International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, Chambers & Partners Global-wide, and the Legal 500 in International Arbitration. Admission to the program is highly selective, which allows for heightened attention and effective mentoring from our faculty who help students start or advance their arbitration careers.
International Arbitration Institute (IAI) - The International Arbitration Institute (IAI) is an embodiment of Miami Law’s long tradition of engagement with the law of arbitration. The Institute strives not only for progress through the education of a new generation of arbitration lawyers but also for progress through research in international arbitration. International Arbitration LL.M. students may attend various international arbitration events organized through the IAI, including the annual White & Case Lecture. Students also have the opportunity to work as graduate research assistants with the IAI and individual Miami Law faculty members on cutting-edge research projects related to international arbitration.
Networking & Professional Development - Students receive career advising tailored to each student's individual interests and professional goals. Students also have the opportunity to attend international job fairs, participate in internship opportunities with leading international arbitration firms, compete in international arbitration moot court competitions, attend international arbitration conferences, lectures, and other networking events, published in the U.S. and international legal journals, and get involved in professional arbitral organizations.
Post-Graduation Job Placement and Other Career Options - Graduates of the White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Program work around the globe in prestigious international arbitration law firms and arbitral institutions. Foreign-trained graduates may be eligible for an employment authorization for a one-year period of optional practical training (OPT), allowing them to gain valuable practical experience in the U.S. Foreign-trained graduates also may be eligible to sit for the bar exam in several states in the U.S., the most popular being New York, or opt to enroll in our J.D./LL.M. Joint Degree in International Arbitration; both degrees can be completed in as little as two years and the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is not required.
Study Options
Fall or Spring Program Start
The International Arbitration LL.M. Program requires at least one academic year (9 months) of study. The majority of students start their studies in August and graduate in May of the following year. However, with permission of the program director, a Spring (January) start date is possible, with graduation in December of the same year.
Full-time, Part-time Study Options
International Arbitration LL.M. students may study on a full-time or part-time basis depending on their individual needs. With permission of the program director, part-time students may convert to full-time status, and vice versa. For part-time study, the same minimum number of credits is required for the LL.M. degree. All students must earn their LL.M. degree within two years from the initial date of matriculation.
J.D./LL.M. Joint Degree in International Arbitration
International Arbitration LL.M. students wishing to also obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, and Miami Law J.D. students wishing to also obtain an LL.M. in International Arbitration, should opt for the J.D./LL.M. Joint Degree in International Arbitration. The Joint J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration offers the opportunity to earn both degrees at once, saving both time and tuition expense. Special study options to earn an LL.M. in International Arbitration might be available for current law students of other law schools in the U.S. or abroad who attend Miami Law as visiting or foreign exchange students.
Intensive Legal English + LL.M. in International Arbitration
The newest feature of Miami Law’s International Arbitration LL.M. offerings is a three-semester program, designed for foreign-trained law graduates who did not achieve the minimum required TOEFL of 92 or Academic IELTS score of 7.0 and who need to improve their English proficiency before embarking on studying for their LL.M. in International Arbitration. The Intensive Legal English program starts in the Spring semester (January), and applicants should submit their completed application by the priority deadline of November 1 of the previous year. During the first semester, students focus on achieving the English-language and communication skills necessary to be successful in the LL.M. program. Students take courses in Oral Communication; English for Law; Introduction to Legal Communication and Writing; and Research Skills. After successful completion of their first semester, students will join the incoming International Arbitration LL.M. class in the Fall semester (August) and proceed with the regular course of studies without having to re-take the TOEFL or Academic IELTS test.
