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SKILL SHARPENER
LL.M. Program Soars Due to Service Approach [by Anayat Durrani] USC’s LL.M. Program began only three years ago, yet is known as one of the best in the country. The LL.M. Program officially began in Fall 2002 with 12 LL.M. students. Currently there are 41 students enrolled in the program. The LL.M. class of 2005-2006 is estimated for 50 students. The LL.M. Program is a master’s degree program for students trained in law outside the U.S. This distinctive, rigorous two-semester, full-time program introduces outstanding foreign lawyers to American law and the U.S. legal system and prepares them for leadership roles in the global market. Through the LL.M. Program, foreign lawyers have an opportunity to meet and interact not only with faculty and J.D. students, but also with practicing lawyers from around the world. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be awarded the Master of Laws degree. The program runs from August through May. Due to the popularity and reputation of the
gram distinct from others is its service-ori-
applicants and one of the strengths that USC
school and program, many countries are
ented approach. Ms. Won emphasizes that it
School of Law is known for. USC also has
represented. Program Director Kyong Won
is this aspect that makes the program above
affiliate locations internationally in Tokyo,
states that in the past three years there have
and beyond others. By providing academic
Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Yan
been a total of 22 countries represented
support, language support, networking op-
Zeng, from the class of 2004, stated that the
within the student body: Japan, Korea,
portunities, and cultural immersion events,
program fulfilled her educational purpose as
Taiwan, China, Thailand, Austria, Germany,
the program allows its students to thrive in
well as her networking purpose. “I would say
Czech Republic, Romania, Switzerland,
the U.S. law school environment, rather than
this is one thing USC law school does better
Armenia, Panama, Mexico, Kenya, France,
feeling marginalized or isolated, which can
than other law schools.”
India, and many others.
happen at other programs.
USC Law School’s rigorous academic pro-
“The USC LL.M. Program is developing its
to feel comfortable socially. There are many
gram affords its students a strong founda-
reputation as a program known for strong
social events, from attending USC football
tion in all substantive areas of law. All LL.M.
client services, as well as responsiveness
games to mixers to Lakers’ games, to make
students are required to take two founda-
to the needs and concerns of its students,”
the students form relationships and feel a
tional courses--Introduction to the U.S. Legal
observes Ms. Won. “The USC LL.M. Program
part of the school as a whole.
System and Legal Research--in their first se-
takes a three-pronged approach to address-
Another draw is the opportunity for students
mester. Students will satisfy their remaining
ing the academic, social, and professional
With such a well-rounded approach, it is
course requirements over the two semesters
needs of its students,” she continues.
clear why USC’s LL.M. Program continues to thrive, proving popular with applicants. With
by enrolling in courses and seminars from Rubab Razvi, class of 2003, notes, “The LL.M.
a distinct, service-oriented approach, it will
staff was the best part of the LL.M. Program.
certainly continue be a leader as it continues
First-year courses examine the foundations
As apprehensive as I was when I joined the
to grow.
of the legal system and introduce students to
program, I feel that your helpful and ac-
lawyering skills. Most of the upper-division
commodating attitude make things so much
Ms. Won noted that the LL.M. office also
courses listed are taught every year. Some
easier for all the LL.M. students.” The staff
runs a Southern California American Law
are taught periodically, depending on student
ensures that each LL.M. student has a sup-
and English Program (SCALE) during the
interest and faculty availability.
port system in place to make the transition
summer. The SCALE program is a summer
and experience a positive one. Kenji Hirooka,
program geared towards those who will be
Because LL.M. students can attend law
from the class of 2004, said he really appre-
entering an LL.M. degree program or those
school classes offered to J.D. candidates,
ciated the support at USC. “I believe last year
who would like to learn more about the U.S.
they feel as though they are part of the com-
was the best year of my life,” he continued.
legal system while improving their legal Eng-
stated, “I would say that the good thing about
In terms of academic support, an adjunct
lawyers and business people to the American
the USC program is that it allows LL.M.
professor oversees the immersion to the U.S.
legal system while giving them the oppor-
students to sit in the same class with J.D.
approach to law school, serving as a mentor
tunity to improve their English language
students no matter how difficult the class is,
and support system for the students as they
ability. Classes are taught by professional
and most professors are very understanding
undertake the study of law in a new environ-
ESL teachers from the USC Rossier School of
and cooperative.”
ment. In addition, there are many profes-
Education Language Academy.”
among those offered in the J.D. Program.
lish. Ms Won said, “SCALE helps to introduce
munity. Chikako Morimoto, class of 2003
sional networking opportunities for students What really makes this particular LL.M. ProPAGE 1
once they graduate, which is a real draw for