Ask an LLM Student

I was a senior associate in the litigation and dispute resolution department of the largest law firm in the Philippines.

Read More About Paula

I was a law clerk to Justice S. Ravindra Bhat at the Supreme Court of India.

Prior to that, I worked as an associate in the technology, media and telecommunications practice at Trilegal.

Read More About Raji

I worked as a judge in Japan for about five years.

I was mainly in charge of criminal trials. As the youngest member of a three-judge panel, I took charge of legal investigations, drafting decisions, and providing instructions to lay judges.

Read More About Takuji

I worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay for almost ten years.

I started as an intern, was appointed legal officer, and then joined the Diplomatic and Consular Service of Paraguay.

Read More About René

Because of its faculty and practical courses, especially in criminal and public law.

I was also drawn to the kind professors and staff and the small size of the LLM class. My classmates are wonderful.

Read More About Takuji

Because of its academic opportunities.

And the collegial feeling I got when I reached out to the Graduate Admissions Office, faculty, and alumni. I knew I made the right decision the second I stepped onto campus; the family-like environment and support system is fantastic.

Read More About Abimbola

Because of the courses in international and comparative law.

I also loved the small LLM class size, and the incredible faculty for constitutional law. 

Read More About Raji

The people. (And I promise it’s not a cliché!)

People are very welcoming from day one, and you get to meet folks from all over the United States and the world around the Law Quad! Faculty members are also super friendly. They are always eager to talk to students to discuss about anything in their offices, in Hutchins Hall’s inner courtyard, in a café—you name it.

Read More About René

The size of the LLM class.

It allows you to get to know all your classmates and have direct contact with professors and the Law School community. It enables you to spend time with people from all over the world and speak in English, which also enriches your study abroad experience. You also get the chance to be at a school that looks like Hogwarts.

Read More About Martín

The collegiality of the student community.

The “Michigan Difference” is due, in large part, to the fact that every student is carefully selected not only based on academic achievements but also on personal qualities.

Read More About Luis

The professors are amiable and chatty.

Japanese professors are generally more scholarly and square—sometimes bureaucratic. I can’t think of having lunch with my Japanese professors or visiting their homes for seminars. In contrast, this is very easy to do at Michigan.

Read More About Takuji

A few things!

First, the strength and loyalty of the alumni network. Connecting with Michigan graduates is very easy; a simple “Go Blue!” in an email makes a difference. The Socratic method and cold calls in class also surprised me because this is not the typical teaching practice in law schools in Argentina. Finally, I was also surprised by how integrated LLMs are with JDs and the attention we receive from faculty members. 

Read More About Martín

The quality of professors and students.

I think everyone here is brilliant and a high achiever. Conversing with students and faculty is an opportunity to learn.

Read More About Abimbola

The family-friendly atmosphere.

The natural environment, athletic and cultural events, excellent public schools—everything is fantastic.

Read More About Takuji

How different it is from other college towns in the United States.

The Law School campus is as beautiful as it can be, and downtown is really busy and full of activity. There are a variety of things to enjoy here throughout the year (when time permits!). For instance, you can go to a nice restaurant on Main Street, catch a movie at the State Theatre, or walk around Nichols Arboretum.

Read More About René

It gives you the experience of living in a real college town, which is something you don’t find in many countries.

The people here are really friendly, and the cost of living is much more affordable than most big cities. Michigan also has a super competitive college football team that plays in one of the largest stadiums in the world; going to football games is a must.

Read More About Martín

Learning how to manage my time.

I made immense strides in managing contemporaneous deadlines and being able to speak up in class and answer cold calls with confidence. 

Read More About Raji

Balancing studying with making the most of all the extracurricular activities and fun school events.

Read More About Paula

Cold calls are rare in Japan, so they made me nervous.

However, almost all professors followed up with me enthusiastically.

Read More About Takuji

Securities Regulation.

This may seem like an odd answer because the subject can be a bit technical and rules-focused. However, I found this class exciting and engaging thanks to Professor Howson, who made securities regulation fun and easy to learn.

Read More About Abimbola

Comparative Human Rights with Professor Christopher McCrudden.

I really enjoyed studying human rights law from a comparative perspective, and the course gave me the opportunity to read and analyze decisions from diverse jurisdictions such as the European Court of Human Rights and the Indian, Israeli, and South African Supreme Courts. 

Read More About Raji

International Law.

It is a foundational course that walks you through the essential aspects of international law in a comprehensive way. If you are interested in pursuing a career in this field, I recommend this course, especially with Professor Ratner.

Read More About René