Your LLM Questions Answered
Do you have burning questions about our LLM program? You’re not the only one!
We’ve asked our current and former LLM students to offer an insider’s view on some of the questions we hear most from prospective students.
Don’t see your question? Email us, and we’ll get you the information you need.
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What did you do before your LLM year?
I was a senior associate in the litigation and dispute resolution department of the largest law firm in the Philippines.
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.
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.
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.
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Why did you choose Michigan Law?
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.
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.
Because of the courses in international and comparative law.
I also loved the small LLM class size, and the incredible faculty for constitutional law.
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What’s the best thing about Michigan Law?
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.
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.
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.
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What surprised you most about Michigan Law?
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.
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.
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.
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What’s the best thing about living in Ann Arbor?
The family-friendly atmosphere.
The natural environment, athletic and cultural events, excellent public schools—everything is fantastic.
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.
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.
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What was the most difficult thing about your LLM year?
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.
Balancing studying with making the most of all the extracurricular activities and fun school events.
Cold calls are rare in Japan, so they made me nervous.
However, almost all professors followed up with me enthusiastically.
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What is your favorite class?
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.
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.
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.
Meet Current and Former LLM Students
Rotimi Adejoorin
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Abimbola Adekoya
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Daniel Athias
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Camila Calvo
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Luise Cornelli
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René Figueredo Corrales
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Luis Antonio Diaz
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Fernanda Lopes De Alcantara Gil
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Martín Gualino
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Raji Gururaj
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Erick Guapizaca Jiménez
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Philipp Krämer
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Lennart Levita
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Andrea Leycano
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Xinyi Li
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Sharmila Roy Lovely
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Paula P. Plaza
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Priyanka Pokharel
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Takuji Shimizu
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Mayara Soares
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Nadia Sussman
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Pedro Chirinos Terrones
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Qizhi (Jeffrey) Wu
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Takeshi Yamamoto
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