International LL.M.
students study at U.S. law schools for many reasons, including learning about
substantive American law and legal practice, improving their English skills,
and expanding their professional network. While teaching these students about
U.S. substantive law, legal skills and ethics, and how to think like U.S.
lawyers, law schools should exceed student expectations with programming that
enhances their professional and personal growth. This includes developing their
professional identity, enhancing their English skills, building an
international network of colleagues, and developing personally. The panel will
discuss their law school’s programming in such areas as:
- Professional identity: Teaching international
lawyers to develop their own professional identities as assertive, ethical
problem solvers and counselors;
- English: Helping international lawyers to
maximize their educational opportunities and to thrive despite their language
difficulties given the high English proficiency requirements of a U.S. law
school;
- International network development: Helping
international LL.M. students to develop a network of U.S. and international
lawyers that they can utilize throughout their legal careers while meeting the challenges
of law school;
- Personal development: Teaching the
interpersonal social skills that students will need both in a U.S. law school
setting and in dealing with U.S. lawyers, clients, counter-parties, or
opponents.