Master in Law Program 2020 – 2021
Law shouldn’t be limited to those who make their careers as lawyers. At the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, our philosophy is that law affects all of us, no matter what field we are in. Our Master in Law candidates are an incredibly diverse and accomplished group of professionals and students who make up an integral part of our collegial and collaborative Law School community. They infuse our classrooms with their experiences as physicians, nurses, technologists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and more. In turn, ML candidates receive an education that immerses them in legal study and illuminates the connections between the law and the wide range of related fields in which they have developed expertise.
Theodore Ruger Dean and Bernard G. Segal Professor of Law
ML PROFESSIONALS
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Master in Law Degree Candidates at a Glance
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Physicians IRB/Grants Engineers Licensing/Transfer Researchers HR Compliance/Privacy Faculty
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DUAL DEGREES
PhD MD MSN MBA
Management
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Analysts
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Ed.D MPA DMD MPH
MA MSW MSSP NPL
MRA MSE MES MSAG
VMD
ADVANCED DEGREES AT TIME OF APPLICATION
34%
14%
1 Advanced Degree 2 Advanced Degrees
42%
10%
Pursuing 1st Advanced Degree along with ML
ML is 1st Advanced Degree
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Years of professional experience at time of application
20+ year
13%
16-20 years
13%
11-15 years
13%
6-10 years
20%
2-5 years
28%
0-1 year
12%
The Master in Law Program
The Master in Law (ML) degree program offers accomplished professionals and talented students the opportunity to immerse themselves in learning the law that impacts their work and day-to-day lives. The specialized curriculum combines a solid foundation in the U.S. legal system with specific knowledge of the legal issues and processes that intersect with many disciplines. ML degree candidates design their own educations. No matter the professional or academic focus, the ML program provides the knowledge and skills to navigate complex issues and effectively manage the risks and needs of organizations as law and regulations continue to evolve. In addition, the ML can be combined with other graduate programs at Penn—many students complement their primary degrees in medicine, business, education, engineering, public policy, and more with the ML degree. The ML program offers a multitude of possibilities. Visit our website to learn more.
ML COURSE OFFERINGS LAWM 505
American Constitutional Law
LAWM 506 Technology Law
LAWM 511
U.S. Law and Legal Methods
LAWM 513
Medical Liability and Negligence
LAWM 515
Contracts and Negotiations
LAWM 522
Corporate Compliance
LAWM 525 Entrepreneurship and Startup Law
LAWM 528
General Business Law
LAWM 529
Navigating the Regulatory State
LAWM 530
Health Law and Policy
LAWM 536
Fundamentals of U.S. Legal Research (online)
LAWM 576
Patent Law (online)
ML Degree Requirements
Sample Curricular Plans HUMAN RESOURCES FOCUS
The program begins with core foundational ML courses that cover the essential areas of law — U.S. Law, Regulatory Law, and Business Law — and equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the law school classroom. ML students then specialize with additional coursework in their areas of interest. After completing the foundational ML coursework, ML students take courses within the Law School’s JD curriculum.
Emma Grigore, PHR Chief People Officer, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
8 CLASSES, FULL OR PART TIME 4 ML REQUIRED CORE COURSES
4 REQUIRED ADDITIONAL COURSES
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (LAWM 511)
1 Upper level JD course
General Business Law (LAWM 528)
3 Additional courses (choose from JD and/or
Navigating the Regulatory State (LAWM 529)
“The Law School’s ML program will give you the confidence to understand and effectively manage the legal issues you might confront in your career. From knowing the particulars of contracts to understanding employment law issues, I found myself applying what I learned in class almost immediately in my HR position.”
ML courses)
1 ML elective (choose from ML curriculum)
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
Employment Discrimination
Corporate Compliance
Fundamentals of US Legal Research
LAW 659
LAWM 522
LAWM 536
Employee Benefits LAW 602
Labor Law LAW 509
PRIVACY/INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FOCUS
HEALTHCARE FOCUS
Sarah Finnerty, ML’18 Assistant Privacy Officer, Office of Audit, Compliance, and Privacy, Penn Medicine “I work with privacy professionals, [and] the best part is that I can now engage in conversations that are more ethical and theoretical with people who have vast experience in this field. Being able to think in a different way — the same way as people who have been in the space as lawyers — has been invaluable.”
Manoj Mittal, MD, ML’18 Physician, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Faculty, Perelman School of Medicine “The ML program has been incredibly rewarding and an invaluable complement to my medical career. I recommend it to physicians and students in healthcare and the sciences to better understand the legal and regulatory underpinnings of their work, enhance their training in this domain, and so be better prepared to practice, teach, and research in today’s complex healthcare environment.” SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
Health Law and Policy Fundamentals
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
LAWM 530
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
Health Care Fraud: Investigation and Prosecution
Comparative Health Systems and Law
Health Care Financing
Drug Product Liability Litigation
Intellectual Property and National Economic Value
History of Privacy and the Law
Patent Law
Intro to IP Law & Policy
LAW 943
LAW 966
LAW 930
LAW 677
LAW 507
LAW 588
LAW 916
LAW 939
Technology Law LAWM 506
EDUCATION FOCUS
FINANCE/CORPORATE FOCUS
Will Matson, Wharton MBA’19, ML’19 CFO and Head of M&A, Alpine Investors “I plan to use the ML education in my future career of building businesses that are measured not only for the profit they generate, but also for their positive social impact… I am motivated to do good for society, while doing well in business, and for me the latter achievement is inextricably linked with the former. I believe that this legal education will empower me to achieve this and, as per the Wharton motto, ‘become a pillar of the state, whether in public or private life.”
Kendrick Davis, PhD, ML’17, MSE’14 Vice President of Policy Research, Campaign for College Opportunity “Not surprisingly, the education system in K-12 and higher education is extremely complex. My ability to effectively recommend policy at the local level required that I have a working knowledge of the legal context in which these decisions need to be made, especially when communicating such recommendations to the Mayor or other cabinet members.”
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
American Constitutional Law
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
LAWM 505
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
Mental Health Law
Immigration Law
Law of the Professor: Continuing Problems in Higher Ed
Discrimination in Education
Corporate Finance: Legal Aspects
Distressed Dealmaking
Bankruptcy
LAW 969
LAW 769
LAW 908
LAW 646
LAW 705
LAW 780
LAW 949
Corporate Compliance LAWM 522
M&A Through the Business Cycle LAW 750
ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOCUS
JOURNALISM FOCUS
Lori Robertson Managing editor, FactCheck.org Annenberg Public Policy Center “As a journalist, I’ve researched and written about legal and policy issues for years. The ML program has been incredibly valuable in deepening my knowledge and understanding of statutes, cases and the legal framework. Also, the engagement with both ML and JD students has been an enriching experience. I highly recommend the program to anyone with an interest in the law.”
Jehan Luth, MPH, ML’20 CEO and Founder of RotoMaire “The ML program enabled me to understand the legal framework underlying my business idea such that I could avoid problems and move quickly to seize the opportunities that arose. I learned what every entrepreneur should know - what questions to ask and how to best utilize counsel. This education was key for the successful launch of my startup.”
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
Health Law and Policy Fundamentals
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
American Constitutional Law
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
LAWM 530
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
LAWM 505
Technology Law
Artificial Intelligence
Patents, Innovation and Value
Election Law
LAWM 515
LAW 613
LAW 979
LAW 676
Public Corruption and the Law
Law and Candidacy
LAW 982
Contracts and Negotiations
Visual Legal Advocacy
LAWM 506
LAW 991
LAW 968
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION FOCUS
HEALTHCARE FOCUS
Kiran Musunuru, MD, PhD, MPH, ML’18 Co-Founder and Senior Scientific Advisor, Verve Therapeutics & Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania “The practical, real world focus of the courses in the ML program has proven extremely relevant. As a cardiologist engaged in research for a treatment with the potential to protect people against cardiovascular disease, the opportunity to take law courses at this important juncture was a dream come true. Going forward, any time I’m doing something in a laboratory, I will always be conscious of the IP implications.”
Andrew Thum, MSN/ML’18 Nurse Manager, Jefferson Health Emerging Nurse Leader, SEPONL “The ML program has been incredibly rewarding and an invaluable complement to my career. I have already seen the influence of my education at the Law School in my new position as manager of a 32-bed medical surgical unit. I recommend this program to those who desire a better understanding of the legal and regulatory underpinnings of their work.”
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
Health Law and Policy
Health Care Financing
Negotiations in Healthcare
LAWM 530
LAW 939
NURSING 548
Corporate Compliance LAWM 522
Current Issues in Health and Social Policy NURSING 540
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
Intro to IP Law & Policy
Regulatory Law and Policy
Technology Law
LAW 507
LAW 931
LAWM 506
Patent Law LAWM 576
Drug Product Liability Litigation LAW 943
REGULATORY/COMPLIANCE FOCUS
JD Course Sampling* Administrative Law
Copyright
Neuroscience
National Security Law
Advanced Issues in Private Finance
Corp Gov, Ethics, Compliance
General Counsel
Advanced Topics in Technology and Policy
Corporate Finance: Economics and Law
Health Care Financing
Nonprofit Organizations: Law, Governance and Ethics
Anatomy of a Divorce
Corporate Restructuring
Health Care Fraud: Investigation and Prosecution
Animal Law and Ethics
Corporate Taxation
Health Law and Policy
Patents, Innovation and Value
Antitrust: Mergers, IP & Vertical Restraints
Corporations
Immigration Law
Crimmigration
In-House Counsel/Corporate Generalist
Pharmaceutical Regulation and Enforcement
Artificial Intelligence Law Black Lives Matter in Historical Perspective Business Strategy, Private Equity and Corporate Law
Eve Higginbotham, SM, MD, ML’20 Vice Dean for Inclusion and Diversity and Professor, Ophthamology, Perelman School of Medicine
China and International Human Rights Church & State in America: Contemporary & Historical Perspectives Climate Change Law and Policy
“I’m often called to be an expert witness and engage in discussions with lawyers. Those interactions piqued my curiosity about how a seasoned medical practitioner might become well-versed in the law. The ML program has helped me zero in on areas of the law that intersect with my medical practice and corporate board governance responsibilities, administrative law concerns and the regulation of medical techniques and treatments.”
* For a complete and current list, please visit our website.
Crisis Management Cybercrime Deals: Economic Structure of Transactions & Contracting Development and Diversity of American Criminal Law Discrimination in Education Election Law
Commercial Finance - Secured Transactions
Empirical Law and Economics
Comparative Health Systems and the Law
Employment Discrimination
Conflict of Laws Constitutional Interpretation Consumer Financial Regulation
SAMPLE CURRICULAR PLAN
U.S. Law and Legal Methods (required)
General Business Law (required)
Navigating the Regulatory State (required)
Health Law and Policy Fundamentals
LAWM 511
LAWM 528
LAWM 529
LAWM 530
Corporate Governance, Ethics, and Compliance
American Constitutional Law
Fundamentals of US Legal Research
Healthcare Finance
LAW 704
LAWM 505
LAWM 536
LAW 939
Employee Benefits Energy Law and Climate Change
Intellectual Property Transactions Intelligence Law Seminar International Business Transactions International Human Rights International Investment Arbitration International Tax International Trade Regulation Labor Law Land Use Law Law and Candidacy
Oil and Gas Law Patent Law
Power & Privilege in Public Service Private Action: Antitrust, RICO & the Class Action Prosecution and Defense in the 21st Century Public Corruption and the Law Real Estate Transactions Refugee Law Regulatory Law and Policy SEC Enforcement Securities Regulation Social Media Law
Entertainment Law
Law and Commerce in American History
European Union Law
Law and Economics
Family Law
Law of Financial Institutions
Fashion Law
Law of Investigations
Tax Policy Seminar
Federal Income Taxation
Law of the Professor: Cont Problems in Higher Education
Topics in Defamation
Law of the Sea
Trade Secrets Trade War: Economic Laws of National Security
Federal Indian Law Finance, Economics and Law of Financial Crises
Local Government Law
FinTech Challenge
M&A Through the Business Cycle
First Amendment
Mediation Theory and Skills
Food Systems, Sustainability and the Law
Mental Health Law
Foreign Relations Law Freedom, Responsibility and
Mergers and Acquisitions Military, Law, and Society Money Laundering
Sport and Law in Comparative Perspective Structuring Venture Capital and Private Equity Transactions
Trademarks Transformation of the Financial Sector Trusts and Estates Unincorporated Business Entitites Visual Legal Advocacy White Collar Crime
Admissions
We look for professionals and students with strong academic records and professional experience, demonstrating through their application a wellarticulated desire to engage in the rigorous academic challenge that the Law School presents and to contribute to our accomplished, vibrant, and engaged community. Detailed application instructions are found on our website.
The Law School Community
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, the power of diversity at the Law School creates a supportive and inclusive community where collaboration and teamwork are valued. We appreciate differences and are willing to engage colleagues and faculty in ways that respect and celebrate the many differences in philosophy and experience that appear in a community as rich in ideas and backgrounds at Penn Law. Jennifer Caughey DMD/ML ’19, Mohammad Mousavian DMD ‘19/ML’18
In addition to the rich, interdisciplinary curriculum, ML degree candidates are encouraged to take advantage of the varied co-curricular opportunities at the Law School, including pro bono and public service program, centers and institutes, and student affinity groups.
Emily Largent, JD, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine
Master in Law Faculty Perspectives
“I appreciate the range of personal and professional experiences that the ML students bring to my classroom. Their unique perspectives guide our learning, enrich our discussions, and highlight the significant—and sometimes surprising—role of law and policy in all our lives.”
ML lecturers are renowned academics and practitioners who have many years of experience in their fields, bridging legal principles and practice. With an understanding that students come in without a law background, our lecturers make legal concepts digestible while providing students with a solid foundation for their future JD courses.
Andrew Kandel, Esq.
As an ML degree candidate, you will also have the opportunity to take classes and interact with renowned academics teaching in the JD curriculum. For more about our distinguished faculty, visit www.law.upenn.edu/faculty.
Chief Compliance Officer & Co-General Counsel, Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.
“The Master in Law program provides a unique opportunity to teach not just the law, but the real life and practical application of the law. In addition, my course greatly benefits from the diverse experiences of a mix of graduate students, undergraduates, faculty and other practicing professionals.” Donyale Reavis, Esq.
Founding Partner, Reavis & Associates, PC
“No matter how fast or how often the face of traditional and start-up businesses change, bandwidth and capacity are timeless. As an ML student, you are trained to analyze, identify and assess threats and opportunities through the lens of legal compliance and protection, and as a result, leave with exponentially greater bandwidth and capacity around assessing threats and developing protection strategies.” Gary Sangha, Esq.
Founder and CEO, LexCheck
“Awareness of the legal issues surrounding business decisions is a critical skill for any professional. The Master in Law program trains students to think through the potential consequences on the decision-maker and the wider organization.”
Michael Gerhardt
Burton Craige Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence, University of North Carolina School of Law, Scholar-in-Residence & Director of Content, National Constitution Center
“As a constitutional scholar, having been called to testify several times before Congress regarding Constitutional interpretation, I enjoy interacting and sharing these experiences with ML students as we analyze the Constitution and how it shapes our daily lives and the political life of this nation.”
Contact the Master in Law Program Visit our website at www.law.upenn.edu/admissions/master-in-law/ or scan QR code:
Email: master@law.upenn.edu Catharine Restrepo, Esq. L’93 Executive Director, Master in Law Program Michael Knoll Theodore K. Warner Professor of Law Academic Director, Master in Law Program Natalie D. Green Associate Director, Master in Law Program Kait Johnstone Program Coordinator, Master in Law Program