Dean Odette Lienau (center) with LLM students.
LLM Program
Law Is Global. So Is Our Reach.
We provide a rigorous education by renowned faculty at a top U.S. university with personalized guidance and mentoring in a friendly and supportive environment.
Why BC Law?
Academic Excellence
BC Law is highly ranked and well known for the quality of its faculty, students, and curriculum. We prepare lawyers for practice in a global environment, and our faculty comprises some of the strongest international scholars and practitioners informed by the latest law and business developments.
Our LLM students enjoy the best of both worlds. They can tailor their courses to their interests by selecting from an array of courses and specialize by taking a concentration in one of our five areas: human rights and international law, business law, environmental law, intellectual property law, and tax. As a BC Law LLM student, you’re poised to have a significant impact on global law development and application.
Our LLM Program also promotes true immersion, giving you a genuine US law school experience with JD students as your colleagues and your classmates. Your courses are taught by full-time faculty.
Individualized Mentoring & Support
The size of our LLM program allows us to provide individualized attention to our students. LLM students are paired with a full-time faculty mentor in their field of interest and a JD “buddy” for support. The LLM team meets weekly throughout the year to advise on academic and career strategies.
Our celebrated culture of collaboration, inspiration, and encouragement builds international professional networks and lasting personal bonds. More than 10,000 BC Law alumni and 120,000 Boston College alumni are on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms.
Career Resources
In addition to our incredibly strong and supportive alumni community, BC Law invites internationally renowned professors, business leaders, judges, and prosecutors to campus regularly to meet with students, discuss global legal issues, and establish important connections for later employment.
LLM students have access to BC Law's extensive Career Services Office programming and network and are provided dedicated career counselors to assist them in finding the right path for the next step in their careers. The BC Law network, name and excellent reputation in the international market makes for unlimited opportunities.
Curriculum
Business & Commercial Law
Our faculty include leaders in the fields of business and commercial law. Professor Kent Greenfield is among the pioneers in the so-called stakeholder school of corporate law, and his most recent publication, in a long list, argues that Corporations are People Too (And They Should Act Like It) for Yale University Press. His research crosses both constitutional law and corporations law. Professor Frank Garcia is an international trade and investment law scholar, and has made several foundational inquiries into the nature of these fields of law, most recently in Consent and Trade: Trading Freely in a Global Market (2018) with Cambridge University Press. Professor Brian Quinn is co-author of a leading M&A casebook, Mergers & Acquisitions: Law, Theory and Practice (West), alongside others, and blogs on legal developments in corporate governance and mergers & acquisitions at the M&A Law Prof Blog. Finally, Professor Natalya Shnitser is a leader in retirement security and the regulation of financial intermediaries.
Environmental Law
International law scholar David Wirth, one of 13 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Alumni Ambassadors, headlines our faculty in this area. Professor Wirth’s extensive work in climate change accompanies a more than two decade-career in international environmental law. In addition, the BC Law Land & Environmental Law Program is a multi-dimensional program for JD and LLM students, designed both to train professionals and encourage service in law, policies and doctrines that work for the sustainability of land, air, and water resources.
Human Rights
Our interdisciplinary Center for Human Rights and International Justice—co-directed by Daniel Kanstroom—together with a range of courses in our concentration in human rights law, seeks to nurture a new generation of human rights scholars and practitioners that can address issues of globalization and inequality, and other pressing contemporary issues. Professor Kanstroom’s work in immigration law includes several extensive monographs, including Aftermath: Deportation Law and the New American Diaspora (Oxford University Press 2012) and Deportation Nation: Outsiders in American History (Harvard University Press 2007). Professor Katharine Young, who is also Associate Dean for Faculty and Global Programs, has undertaking award-winning study, Constituting Economic and Social Rights (Oxford University Press, 2012), which examines the constitutional or international human rights to health care, housing, education and social security. She has also published on women’s rights, including her co-edited collection, The Public Law of Gender (Cambridge University Press, 2016). The law school’s human rights courses include a Human Rights Practicum offered by Professor Daniela Urosa that addresses the Inter-American human rights system, and the interdisciplinary human rights seminar, a university-wide seminar.
Intellectual Property
Our exciting concentration covers topics in copyright, trademark, and patent law, and incorporates electives in antitrust law, cyber law, and technology licensing. Our faculty includes Professor Alfred Chueh-Chin Yen, who directs our program on Emerging Enterprises and Business Law. With Professor Liu, he has authored Copyright: Essential Cases and Materials, West Publishing in 2008. Professor Joseph Liu is focused in his work on the impact of digital technology on copyright law and markets. Finally, patent law and antitrust law scholar Professor David Olson examines the legal uncertainties in recent patent laws and the market behavior of actors with patent portfolios. He is former founder and Faculty Director for the Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Taxation
Some of the country's most influential tax law scholars give students an important grounding in US and international tax concepts —including Professor Diane Ring, who served as our law school’s Interim Dean from 2021-January 2023. Her work examines cross-border tax arbitrage and international tax relations, and she served as advisor to the United Nation’s 2014 project on tax base protection for developing countries, and the U.N.'s 2013 project on treaty administration for developing countries. She is also Vice Chair for the Tax Section Committee of Teaching Taxation of the American Bar Association. Professor James Repetti is the author of groundbreaking tax equity work, including leader and contributor to numerous treatises, including Comparative Income Taxation: A Structural Analysis.
Other Course Options
With deep connections to Boston College’s Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy, the Clough Center for Constitutional Democracy, and other collaborations, the LLM program has developed significant strengths in constitutional law, including comparative constitutional law, gender and family law, international law, and legal history. LLM students can cross-register for courses in Boston College’s other graduate schools and university departments as well.
Use our Fusion search tool for full descriptions of current courses and to search our faculty by subject area.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete at least 24 credits during the academic year—including our 'United States Legal System' course, and for those students with law degrees from outside the US, the 'Legal Research and Writing for LLM Students' course.
Students must also satisfy a written work requirement in one of the following ways:
- Complete the course Legal Research and Writing for LLM Students;
- Produce a piece of writing commensurate with the school’s upper-level writing requirement for JD students. This can be completed in conjunction with one of our regular seminar offerings or written independently (for two or three credits) under the supervision of a faculty member.
Legal Writing Course
LLM students receive a rigorous introduction to US Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing. Students work on legal problems that require them to analyze the applicable law and learn to write effectively to a legal audience. All students will also engage in hands-on research to become familiar with the major research platforms used by US lawyers.
“As part of my welcome to the LLM class of 2025, I wish to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our LLM class of 2024, who, alongside our graduating and ongoing JD classes, proved the resilience and necessity of global legal education.”
Meet Our Community
Georgia Tsignopoulos Georgia Tsignopoulos '23
Georgia Tsignopoulos
Orientation week is an excellent opportunity to meet the exceptional BC faculty members and all the LLM students.
Prior position: Trainee Lawyer in Athens
What did you do before law school? I've recently graduated from the Law School of the University of Athens (LLB) and during my studies, I've spent a semester in Germany doing research [on European Insolvency Law], and I've been working at a law firm based in Athens as a trainee lawyer for the past 4 months.
Why did you choose BC Law? It was always a plan of mine to receive a high-quality post-graduate education from the United States and pursue a career as a US lawyer. Boston College was always a school that interested me, given its stellar brand recognition and its community-centered approach.
What are some of your immediate professional goals in the year after graduating with your LLM? What about in five years? My goal after completing this LLM program is to pass the Massachusetts bar exam and practice law as a transactional lawyer in Boston, working with commercial law cases.
Rita de Cassia Couto Rita de Cassia Couto '14
Rita de Cassia Couto
JD, Universidade Candido Mendes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
It was a privilege and an honor for me to be part of the BC community, and connect with so many brilliant scholars and students.
Current Position: Senior Manager, Global Mobility & Immigration, DoorDash
How did BC add to your education? Interacting with the BC community, and attending the numerous events that brought experts in different legal fields and well known U.S. and foreign government representatives, added to my education memorable learning, connections and experiences.
Why BC Law? Boston College is home of an incredible team of scholars, and a very dedicated and highly educated and qualified body of student.
Yukiko Fujioka Yukiko Fujioka '15
Yukiko Fujioka
J.D., University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; LL.B., Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
The variety of curricular opportunities available through the Boston College LL.M. Program is astonishing. It gives you practical legal experience that dramatically immerses you in the U.S. legal system.
Current Position: Legal Counsel, Manager, OYO Japan
What was something you did not expect? The faculty is so friendly that students can ask any question-no matter how basic it sounds-at any time, in person.”
Best Experience at BC? There are various chances to experience real legal practice in the greater Boston area. Thanks to BC Law's Pro Bono Program, I had a chance to be a part of the Spring Break Internship at Project Citizenship, an NPO that provides pro bono legal service for immigrants. This experience was invaluable to me; I found another viewpoint to observe American society that I could never have discovered from studying casebooks.
Why BC? There are wonderful faculty and students who have various views and diverse backgrounds. Putting yourself into a diverse environment is critical in handling complex legal issues thoroughly.
Liliana Mamani Condori Liliana Mamani Condori '19
Liliana Mamani Condori
LL.B., Andean University of Cusco, Peru
I came to Boston College because of the school’s emphasis on Social Justice and the opportunity to pursue an LLM with a Human Rights concentration.
Current Position: Immigrant Services Attorney at DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended), Inc. Adjunct Faculty at Boston College Woods College of Advancing Studies
Why BC Law? I came to Boston College because of the school’s emphasis on Social Justice and the opportunity to pursue an LLM with a Human Rights concentration. The broad range of courses offered allowed me to focus on Human Rights while also taking classes in many different areas specific to the U.S. legal system.
What impressed you about the LLM Program? Many of my LLM classmates were international students, and the conversations we had in class allowed me to develop a more global perspective of the law. Additionally, many of the professors at BC are also practicing attorneys, and they incorporate an applied perspective into their teaching that prepared me for the practice of law following the LLM program. My professors were open to meeting with me to discuss anything that might be on my mind, and their network with local organizations is how I landed my first U.S.-based attorney position in Boston…The students and faculty are dedicated to the pursuit of justice and the common good.
How did BC add to your education? I felt cared for individually while a student at BC’s Law School…While Law School was a place to learn, it was also a place to develop an understanding of justice and work toward that ideal. There were always engaging conversations happening about our roles as lawyers in society and how our profession could be used for social change. The faculty would ensure that our conversations moved beyond the textbook and into the world around us. They encouraged us to use our education to serve others, and I felt as though the student community held each of us to account for that mission. Witnessing this dedication in my fellow students was inspiring, if not a bit intimidating, given their level of commitment. It was exciting to be a part of that environment and gave me hope that what I do as a lawyer can make a difference.
Sergio Rodríguez Sergio Rodríguez '10
Sergio Rodríguez
LED, Facultad Libre de Derecho de Monterrey, Monterrey, N.L., México
BC Law qualifies as one of the best options for international students who are looking for one of the most enriching experiences in their lives.
Current Position: Commercial Legal Manager, Femsa Servicios
What did you do before law school? I did various things. Among them, I was In-House Counsel at Vector Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V., a leading financial institution in Mexico, and I spent four years as Legal Counsel to the Ministry of Finance of the State of Nuevo León. I was also active in local politics, having served as Chairman of the Municipal Committee of Internal Processes of the Political Council for the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI).
What did you study at BC Law? Commercial, corporate and financial law.
What impressed you about the LLM Program: It offers its students a wide range of courses in all areas of the law, and a very interesting mix between the international LL.M. students and J.D. students in the same classrooms. The law school also offers a roster of very capable and specialized law professors.
Adedotun Opeyemi Olusanya Adedotun Opeyemi Olusanya '21
Adedotun Opeyemi Olusanya
LL.B., Babcock University
All the professors are outstanding professionals and in the characteristic BC Law way, they always exceed the usual expectations. They make a genuine and sincere attempt to know their students as a person.
Current position: Lecturer Of Law at Afe Babalola University, Nigeria
What did you do before law school? I practiced law in leading law firms in Lagos, Nigeria. I also served as Lecturer-in-Law, Criminal Law and Conflict of Laws, at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
What impressed you about the LLM Program? BC's LLM program is tailored to suit the genuine needs of each candidate and addresses those concerns in an astonishing and empathic manner…All the professors are outstanding professionals and in the characteristic BC Law way, they always exceed the usual expectations. They make a genuine and sincere attempt to know their students as a person. Not even border closure, political unrest in your home country nor technological glitches can stop the extraordinary lengths they take in order to make sure that you are in a completely stable mental state to achieve your academic and career goals. Professors Kent Greenfield, David Wirth, Alfred Yen and Susan-Simone Kang have made me feel truly welcome here.
Why BC Law? I submitted applications and received admission offers to over 50 US law schools, but the special attention the BC Law admission team gave me was beyond convincing. Despite the numerous difficulties during the pandemic, with border closures and constant flip-flopping of government travel policies during this period, the team was proactive and explored every legal means to guide me through the admission process and applying for a student visa.
Ahmad Rasikh Ahmad Rasikh '12
Ahmad Rasikh
LL.B., Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan
The entire university stands ready to help and support you, whenever and whatever you need. If you are thirsty for learning, what BC offers is limitless.
Current Position: Senior Scrum Master & Technical Delivery Manager, KPMG US
What did you do before law school? I have eleven years’ experience as a manager for technical assistance programs in Kabul and most recently was the Operations Director for a Johns Hopkins University public health research project.
Why BC Law? BC is a great legal learning environment: a place with high academic standards, a passion for law, and faculty who are very helpful, friendly and accessible. In addition, attending classes with J.D. students, networking and sharing experiences with them, is both fun and rewarding.
What is next? I hope to play the role of a highly educated justice sector reform specialist and technical expert, perhaps establishing a good governance institute that carries out research and training programs for civil servants.
Wenjing Peng Wenjing Peng '12
Wenjing Peng
LL.B., East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai, China.
Whether you want to pursue an American dream or build your own dream, BC Law is a wise choice.
Current Position: Partner, Dentons Shanghai Office
What was your focus at BC Law? I focused on business and commercial law, with a particular emphasis on venture capital and entrepreneurship. I plan to return to law firm practice in China, but also dream of building my own business.
What did you do before BC law? I practiced for three years in Shanghai, doing M&A, public offering, and other international transactional work for financial services companies. I also volunteered for the Shanghai Pudong Legal Aid Center.
Why BC Law? The supportive faculty, friendly community, international exposure and global perspective. Also, BC Law’s location in Boston, strong alumni ties and prestigious reputation create many opportunities.
Guillermo Lopez Mirau Guillermo Lopez Mirau '20
Guillermo Lopez Mirau
M.A., College of Europe
Whatever your goals are, a BC LLM will be rewarding.
Current position: Associate in the Corporate and Latin America practices of Paul Hastings, based in the firm's New York office
What did you do before law school? Before joining the BC LLM Program, I served as Chief Judge of the Salta City Court, Salta, Argentina.
What was something you did not expect that you experienced at BC Law? The BC community is unique. Collegial and friendly, while also professional and dedicated. Faculty are always willing to interact, and students are very supportive.
What did you get out of your academic experience? There's a great variety of courses covering every possible legal practice. I can’t imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the US Legal system and culture.
Alex Bado Alex Bado '23
Alex Bado
Choosing BC Law meant joining an international and diverse community to me.
Current position: Member of AfricArb
What did you do before law school? I graduated with a Master's Degree in Arbitration and International Commercial Law from the Sorbonne Law School and I did interships in law firms and companies including Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP, Groupe Audiens, and Clifford Chance. I am currently a member of AfricArb, an association of international arbitration practitioners focused on the promotion and development of arbitration in Africa.
Why did you choose BC Law? I chose BC Law for my LLM Program mainly because of the tailored and individualized education BC Law offers, which is reflected by the purposefully small LLM cohort.
What are some of your immediate professional goals in the year after graduating with your LLM? What about in five years? After graduating with my LLM I will be taking the New York Bar Exam. My main goal is to start a career as an international arbitration and business dispute resolution lawyer.
Victoria Cota Victoria Cota '25
Victoria Cota
LLM Class of 2025
Undergrad: University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne
Before BC Law: I was pursuing a dual degree in English and French Law, more precisely, my masters degree in Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne.
Something Unexpected About BC Law: I did not expect the warm welcome from professors and staff. They are truly here for you to make the most of our time, to get involved and to adapt.
Best Experience so Far: Every week there’s an exceptional experience. But the first experience that really surprised me was in my introduction to corporate law class, with a 'Shark Tank' simulation. I found it so authentic--and the best exercise to learn and practice.
Post-Graduate Plans: I want to pass the NY Bar in July 2025, and hopefully work in a Biglaw firm in NY.
Shrishti Singh Shrishti Singh '25
Shrishti Singh
LLM Class of 2025
Undergrad: O. P. Jindal Global University
Why BC Law? Boston College Law School's reputation for academic excellence, coupled with its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community, made it the ideal choice for me. The school's rigorous admissions process, which attracts a talented and diverse student body, further solidified my decision. Additionally, BC Law's focus on practical legal education and its strong connections to the legal profession were key factors in my selection.
Experiences between college and law school: Prior to joining BC Law, I gained valuable experience as a litigator, where I honed my skills in legal research, analysis, and advocacy. Subsequently, I transitioned to a role as a Legal Associate at a Fintech Company, where I had the opportunity to work on cutting-edge legal issues related to financial technology and innovation. This diverse background has equipped me with a solid foundation for my legal studies and future career.
What do you plan to do after graduating? Upon graduation, I intend to sit for the Massachusetts Bar and pursue a career in intellectual property law and technology. My goal is to leverage my legal knowledge and experience to protect and advance innovation in these dynamic fields. I am particularly interested in working at the intersection of law and technology, where I can contribute to shaping the legal framework for emerging technologies and addressing the challenges they present.
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News & Features
International Reach
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A delegation from the Filippines meets with Dean Odette Lienau and faculty
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Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor speaks to the BC Law community
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Commissioner F. Scott Kieff of the International Trade Commission meets with professor David Olson
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Turkish Court of Cassation Justice Ilyas Sahin at a celebration for his book, written while he was a visiting scholar at BC Law
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