TRANSFORM YOURSELF INTO THE LAWYER YOU WANT TO BE
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) study plan has been designed to balance theory with practice and provide a wide-ranging global outlook of key international jurisdictions. Our Comparative Law methodology confers deep insight into different legal systems, while an interdisciplinary approach provides the foundation for a transformative experience that will make you the T-shaped lawyer the future of the industry demands.
The program is structured so you have the unique opportunity to choose a specialization based on your interests since the beginning and throughout the entire learning journey. You can choose any of these specializations: International Business Law, Digital Law and Intellectual Property, International Dispute Resolution or International Taxation. Our program will empower you to embark on a transformational journey that allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the legal landscape.
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CLICK THROUGH THE MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M) STRUCTURE
- Introduction
- LAUNCH WEEK
- 1ST PERIODSEP. – DEC.
- 2ND PERIODJAN. - APR.
- 3RD PERIODAPR. – JUN.
- Add Ons
The academic journey of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) student starts in September with the Opening Ceremony as an introduction of their year ahead. Followed by an engaging launch week with diverse activities, students will start fostering both cohesion and practical skills acquisition. Spanning three periods, the program includes core courses preparing all students with essential legal knowledge. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas during the year:Â
International Business Law, Digital Law and Intellectual Property, International Dispute Resolution, or International Taxation, thereby allowing a in-depth knowledge of their chosen field.
Finally, during the electives period, students will be able to tailor their experience by choosing different classes aligned with their personal and professional aspirations. The program closes with an engaging final project, an opportunity to showcase their acquired expertise and insights. Â
*Please note that our program content is continually updated to remain in sync with market demands. Therefore, we advise you that the content is subject to change and it can be dependent on student demand.
SPECIALIZATIONS
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) specializations provide an opportunity for students to further enrich their learning journey. Whichever of the four specializations you choose, you’ll graduate with an internationally recognized certification to validate your expertise to help you pursue your own vision of your professional future.  Â
These are dynamic and practical experiences delivered in collaboration with top firms in the sector.
IE Law School’s 50 years of teaching experience is rooted in corporate law. Our experience in the specialization runs deep, and we are proud to continue growing and shifting with the times. The world continues to change dramatically—lawyers are now required to gain a theoretical, business and practical understanding of international law to manage clients’ needs and expectations, and the transversal skill set to deliver on them.
International Business Law teaches students to design, structure, manage and complete cross-border corporate transactions, building a well-rounded understanding of legal project management, effective conflict resolution, global business and drafting, as well as the soft skills needed to thrive in a multicultural workplace.
KEY BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LAW SPECIALIZATION
- Acquire a comprehensive overview of inner workings of the international corporate world by combining legal know-how with business administration, accounting and technology.
- Learn to structure, manage and complete highly complex, multi-stakeholder corporate transactions.
- Get to the grips mandatory topics in comparative corporate law, capital markets and cross-border M&A.
- Discover the business and legal expertise needed to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.
- Understand international trade and antitrust legislation.
- Students who choose this specialization will have the option to take part in the Legal Immersion Experience taking place in London and learn about the workings of the industry by visiting top global companies and networking with experts in the legal profession.
- During this specialization, students will take part in the Making a Deal Project where they will be working directly with one of our global partners like Herbert Smith Freehills and EY through a challenge based on an M&A transaction.
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With the Intellectual Property and Technology Law specialization students will benefit from a joint specialization diploma from IE Law School and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), an intergovernmental organization and specialized agency of the United Nations. This is designed to teach students to advise companies on the protection of their IP assets, the building of their IP portfolio, and the legal management and protection of data.
Featuring practical skills and projects, and a mix of mandatory and elective modules, you’ll also gain comprehensive insight into the legal, technical and ethical challenges and opportunities associated with law, technology and innovation.
KEY BENEFITS OF THE DIGITAL LAW AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SPECIALIZATION
- Leverage the opportunity of completing your Master of Laws (LL.M.) through this specialization specifically tailored by IE Law School and our partner the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
- Focus equally on IP and tech law, encompassing innovation law and policy, trade secrets, competition, data protection and cybersecurity.Â
- Learn the secrets of successful patent filings, trademark registration and IP litigation.
- Explore key technological developments and how they intersect with law—from machine learning and automation to cryptocurrencies and blockchain
- The Legal Immersion Experience for students who choose this specialization will take place in Geneva taking them out of the theoretical and into the real practice of laws with diverse networking opportunities alongside our partner the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Defending clients’ rights in a dispute is a lawyer’s quintessential role. However, today’s globalized world has multiplied the variety of forms, settings, jurisdictions and legal systems that attorneys need to navigate in order to make those rights prevail. New talent is required in this specific discipline. That’s why the International Dispute Resolution specialization is a collaboration between IE Law School and the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC, designed to foster the development of new professionals with new mindsets in this important aspect of law.
You’ll test yourself from day one in moot competitions and then dig deeper into legal issues of your choice, such as contract law or damages.
KEY BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION SPECIALIZATION
- Acquire a 360º overview of business dispute resolution, including international commercial arbitration, cross-border litigation in the EU and beyond, investor-state dispute resolution and structured mediation.
- Unique partnership with the ICC and an opportunity to see their work firsthand.
- A study plan that goes beyond dispute resolution to also provide a general overview of important business aspects, useful in any future career path.
- The Legal Immersion Experience for students who choose this specialization will take place in Paris where they will learn from world-class professionals in leading Parisian firms.
Our specialization in International Taxation teaches students the comparative and international tax knowledge to develop, structure and confidently manage taxation strategy. You’ll gain a background in the fundamentals of business law and a holistic overview of the taxation landscape, ensuring you understand the tax implications of global business models, as well as enabling you to identify tax risks and opportunities as they relate to corporations.
The comprehensive understanding of the multi-jurisdictional implications of global business models that you’ll receive will build a combined legal expertise covering economics, tax structures and the implications of technology on the taxation landscape. You’ll cover everything from VAT and other indirect taxes to the tax implications of wealth management and double-tax treaties on cross-border income.
KEY BENEFITS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TAXATION SPECIALIZATION
- Develop the skills to forge a career as a specialist in a dynamic, constantly evolving and increasingly critical field with individual and corporate taxation, using a comparative and case-based approach.
- Examine the main methodologies involved in determining arm’s-length values of intra-group, cross-border transactions, and analyze cross-border business strategies and their attendant supply chain considerations.
- Combine legal expertise with economics, tax structures and technology.
- Identify key tax risks and tax opportunities incurred in various jurisdictions in relation to corporations, as well as tax law knowledge.
- Deal structuring: explore the acquisition of companies and the key aspects of due diligence.
- Students who choose this specialization will have the option to take part in the Legal Immersion Experience taking place in London learning face-to-face with leading practitioners of this sector in one of the world’s global financial hubs.
Legal Immersion Experience
As part of your Masters of Laws (LL.M.) students have the option to participate in a hands-on experience outside the classroom. Based on the specialization students choose, they can visit institutions and firms either in Paris, London or Geneva. This is an amazing opportunity for students not only to meet top experts in the legal world but within the field they are most passionate about. From practical workshops and panel discussions to masterclasses and networking sessions, students can get the most practical perspective of the industry.
THE MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.) MENTORING PROGRAM
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) recognizes the value of experience by including a personalized mentoring program alongside curricular studies. In a series of one-to-one meetings over a ten-month period, experienced law professionals offer their insights, experience and support. Students have an opportunity to build a bond with a senior professional who has walked the path before and understands the challenges they’re facing, as well as the chance to enhance their professional network in this globalized, transforming sector.
Master of Laws (LL.M.) participants will benefit from the following aspects:
– Improvement of professional insertion through the creation of professional contact networks thanks to the help of mentors.
– Increased exchange of experience: senior partners are more willing to exchange experience gained in the law firms with new junior arrivals. Newcomers, in turn, are more likely to listen and learn from them.
– Individualized counseling service and effective support to become a successful professional. Improvement of professional insertion through the creation of professional contact networks thanks to the help of mentors.
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM
IE University has agreements with prestigious universities in over 20 countries worldwide. This allows our students to spend a semester abroad which is included in the program fee, enriching their studies while also giving them the option to travel and broaden their perspectives.
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) offers outstanding opportunities for all students to apply for a period of study at one of these partner institutions. An award process applies to these positions, as places are limited to one or two exchange students per partner university.
PRACTICE LAW INTERNATIONALLY
Since the modern reality of law is international, studying our Master of Laws (LL.M.) actually opens doors on the global stage. We have partnered with BARBRI, the number one bar examination review course in the United States, to give our LL.M. students qualified as lawyers the chance to take the California Bar Examination and the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) in England and Wales.
PARTNER UNIVERSITIES FOR THE EXCHANGES
You can customize your program by spending an additional semester at one of our partner universities around the globe.
We offer you the choice of a diverse range of world-leading institutions in higher learning to spend your optional semester learning in another country.
NOTE: exchanges are reviewed on a yearly basis and partners may change. Spots are limited in all exchange programs. Upon acceptance into an exchange program, there is a fee for reserving your place, but tuition at the partner institution is free of charge. You'll only need to cover your living expenses while there.
Bucerius Law School, Germany
Catolica Global School of Law, Portugal
Fundaçao Getulio Vargas - Dereito, Brasil
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Luiss University, Italy
Northwestern University School of Law, USA
Peking University - School of Transnational Law (STL), China
Sciences Po, France
- SNU Law, Seoul National University, South Korea
Tilburg Law School, The Netherlands
UC Law, USA
Università Bocconi, Italy
University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law, Hong Kong
University of Mannheim, Germany
University of Miami Law School, USA
University of Virginia Law School, USA
William & Mary College of Law, USA
FAQ's
Can I study a Master of Laws (LL.M.) course without an LL.B. degree?
No. The Master of Laws (LL.M.) is for individuals who already have a law degree (LL.B) and some professional legal experience. In addition, you will need to pass an entrance exam and an online admissions assessment. Our admissions process is quite competitive, so we recommend applying well ahead of time to have a better chance of obtaining a place in the program.
What is the duration of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree?
IE University's Master of Laws (LL.M.) takes 10 months to complete. The study plan is divided into four periods, with the option to add extra certifications or experiences or complete a semester abroad.
Which specialization is best in the Master of Laws (LL.M.)?
IE University offers four different specializations as part of our Master of Laws (LL.M.), each of which brings equal value to your professional development. You can select the specialization that best suits your professional goals and aspirations: International Business Law, International Dispute Resolution, Digital Law and Intellectual Property, or International Taxation.