Graduate tax program bu law’s graduate tax program, established in 1959 as one of the first graduate tax programs in the nation, continues to be one of the best: bu law currently ranks 5th in the nation in tax studies, according to u.s. news & world report’s 2013 rankings, among american law schools that offer an ll.m. in taxation. for over 50 years, our commitment has been clear—to give students the nation’s most rigorous training in the complexities of tax law and equip them with the professional expertise and skills that advance their careers, whether in the private or public sector, in the u.s. or abroad. our graduates—over 3,000 strong— consistently tell us that their bu ll.m. degree has been an essential ingredient to their professional success. one world-class degree— three paths to earning it
daniel m. berman
director, graduate tax program professor of the practice of tax law a.b., magna cum laude, harvard college j.d., cum laude, harvard law school
The GTP’s director, Professor Daniel M. Berman, brings over 25 years of experience to the classroom. “Sharing my experience and background and leading students to become the next generation of outstanding tax practitioners as the GTP’s director has been rewarding beyond belief for me,” he says. An international tax expert, Professor Berman has worked in both the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government, serving as legislation counsel to the Joint Committee on Taxation of the U.S. Congress and as deputy international tax counsel to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In private practice, he was a partner with Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP and Thelen LLP, both in Washington, D.C. He has taught at the International Tax Academy of the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation in Amsterdam; at Georgetown University Law Center; and at Harvard Law School’s International Tax Program. He currently teaches Making Tax Law in the GTP.
The Graduate Tax Program (GTP) attracts a diverse and distinguished student body. Our domestic students range from recent law school graduates to seasoned attorneys from both the public and private sectors, many of them from the nation’s leading law and tax consulting firms. International students include academics, practitioners and government officials.
To accommodate the different needs of our students, the GTP offers three paths to completing the 24 credits required for the BU Law LL.M. in Taxation: • Full-Time Residential
Our full-time residential program option is designed to be completed in one academic year. This option is ideally suited for recent J.D. graduates seeking to gain both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for a successful career in tax law. It is also beneficial to established lawyers looking to change their careers. Our residential program options—both full- and part-time—are celebrated for offering one of the most expansive curricula available at any law school in America. The curriculum’s five required courses and more than 35 challenging electives ensure that students receive a solid foundation in essential tax subjects and also the opportunity to concentrate in such sub-specialties as Estate Planning, International Tax, General Business Taxation and Financial Services.
• Part-Time Residential
The part-time residential option is designed for experienced practitioners who work in the Greater Boston area and hope to augment their current knowledge base in tax law. We are committed to accommodating the needs of working professionals interested in pursuing advanced tax studies, as they bring invaluable experience to the classroom. All residential classes are therefore scheduled during the late afternoon and evening. Part-time students may enroll for up to eight consecutive semesters to complete the degree requirements.
• Online
BU Law is pleased to announce that, beginning in Fall 2012, we will offer our LL.M. in Taxation online. This innovative platform provides the same challenging course of study as our residential program options, delivered in an award-winning online format. The online option is ideal for domestic and internationally trained tax lawyers whose jobs preclude them from attending classes held on our Boston campus. Students can begin the program in any of the three online sessions—fall, spring or summer—and enroll in an attractive variety of tax courses, all taught by the same highly experienced instructors who teach our residential courses. Students can complete the degree in as few as four sessions.
Faculty Spotlight
matthew d. schnall
A member of the GTP’s acclaimed adjunct faculty since 2003, Matthew D. Schnall has extensive experience with corporate and partnership tax issues, international taxation, and state and local taxation. As a partner in the Boston office of Bingham McCutchen LLP, Mr. Schnall represents clients in tax controversies, transactional planning, administrative practice and tax regulatory compliance. He is a 1993 graduate of Harvard Law School and has served as chair of the Boston Bar Asssociation Tax Section and of its State and Local Tax Committee. In the GTP, Mr. Schnall teaches State and Local Taxation to both residential and online students.
gtp faculty: leading professionals, outstanding instructors
The GTP’s faculty primarily consists of leading tax professionals drawn from law firms, accounting firms and tax consulting firms throughout New England and from federal and state government revenue departments. We select instructors not only for their professional achievements, but also for their outstanding teaching abilities, accessibility and interest in student success, inside and outside the classroom. This is a defining element of the GTP’s culture.
our commitment to your professional development
our residential program options are automatically considered for this merit scholarship; no separate application is required. In addition, domestic applicants to our residential program options are eligible to apply for the Frederic G. Corneel Scholarship, which provides partial scholarship awards based on merit and financial need. Online students are not eligible for scholarship support at this time.
and helps connect students outside of class through a range of speaker events, social gatherings, dinners and other special events. GTP students network with lawyers from around the globe through multiple events that bring together the School’s entire LL.M. student body—consisting of nearly 200 lawyers from 35 countries. Online Students Online students are part of the BU Law community—no matter where they are based. Our Web-based course environment offers rich opportunities for interaction among students. To support their online studies, students can contact their student services coordinator, the course facilitator or their course instructor with questions about registration, coursework and other related matters. This team-based approach to online student service ensures that students have the support they need, when they need it.
for more information
You can learn more about the Graduate Tax Program, including degree requirements, the application process, and tuition and financial information, at BU Law’s Web site, www.bu. edu/law. Prospective students may also contact the Graduate Tax Program’s office at:
An advanced degree is a powerful credential in the specialized world of tax law—and BU Law’s LL.M. in Taxation is universally recognized by employers as among the nation’s finest. Both during and after the Boston University School of Law program, residential and online students Graduate Tax Program receive career and job search support from a 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1670 full-time assistant director for professional Boston, MA 02215 candidate qualifications development who works exclusively with Telephone: 617.353.3105 Candidates for the GTP must hold a J.D. LL.M. students and alumni. Students receive Fax: 617.353.2368 degree from an American Bar Associationone-on-one counseling on job search E-mail: gradtax@bu.edu accredited law school or an equivalent first strategies, interviewing skills, résumé and degree in law from a comparably recognized cover letter preparation and other aspects of For inquiries about the online program law school or law faculty outside the U.S. professional outreach. They also receive option: 877.308.9945 Admission is competitive and largely bi-weekly e-mails with the latest tax-related depends on outstanding performance in job postings on BU Law’s exclusive internal previous law studies, particularly in the field job board. Our annual participation in the “the faculty is extremely of taxation. International applicants must be Tax Attorney Recruiting Event (TARE) held in highly proficient in English, as demonstrated Washington, D.C.—a job fair dedicated to accessible and they strive through TOEFL, IELTS or ILEC exam scores. recruiting for positions in law firms, governto help students in any Online students are held to the same ment agencies, corporate legal departments way that they can.” admissions standards as residential students. and the “Big 4” accounting firms—connects students to a broad range of employers. scholarship support kristen sorbera Each year, BU Law’s LL.M. Scholars Program
the supportive world of bu law
Dedicated student support is one of the hallmarks of the GTP.
Residential Students For students studying on-campus, the GTP’s staff provides individual guidance and support on all matters large and small,
recognizes a small number of LL.M. applicants who have demonstrated outstanding academic and professional achievements. Acknowledgement includes a generous scholarship award and designation as an LL.M. Scholar. All applicants for admission to
ll.m. in taxation, 2011 j.d., pace law school, 2010 after the gtp: tax consultant in the business tax services group, deloitte tax llp in new york