Meet the LL.M. Graduates

“My overall experience at UVA Law was great. During the yearlong LL.M. program I had exposure to real American life in Virginia, the birthplace of the U.S. and a state that has had a key role on its history.

“Additionally, you can have the big campus experience, with the opportunity to attend to film and book festivals, concerts and sports events. I will never forget celebrating with my LL.M. fellows when UVA won the NCAA basketball tournament. Without a doubt that experience strengthened the bonds among us.

“In the classroom my experience was even better. Before the LL.M., I worked almost five years in capital markets, doing deals involving the U.S. market. In six months, I gained more insight and knowledge about securities regulation here than my previous years studying and working in my country.

“Finally, almost each week there were events, conferences, debates and speakers addressing legal, political and social issues. One remarkable moment was to attend the interview of retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.”

“UVA Law met every expectation I could have had in my pursuit of an LL.M. degree. Apart from being a top-tier law school in the U.S., UVA provided a springboard for the development of my professional, academic and social skills.

“UVA has definitely provided me with what I needed to achieve a new level in my legal career. As a lawyer of a law firm with a strong international profile, thanks to UVA I have gotten extra tools to provide better assistance to my international clients.

“I also feel ready to contribute to the Brazilian legal community. An LL.M. candidate at UVA enjoys a great variety of courses offered each semester, featuring traditional legal courses with innovative research developed by its skilled faculty. I will never forget the debates proposed by Dean Risa Goluboff in many of my Constitutional Law classes, nor the insightful thoughts about the stock market made by Professor Quinn Curtis in corporations classes.

“In addition to a rigorous schedule and long hours studying at the library, an LL.M. student at UVA will also enjoy a community ready to embrace international students. Being part of UVA student groups and sharing social activities with J.D.s and the local community helped me build a solid network and enhance social skills in an international environment. I have no doubt I have made friends for life at UVA.”

“At UVA, you get the best of both worlds: Amazing academic opportunities surrounded by incredibly beautiful nature. The professors are genuinely interested in their students and are always available for questions and to give advice. The small classes allow for a lot of discussion about legal questions in the broader societal context. This creates a great environment for professional, but also personal development. As an additional benefit, Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains offer amazing hikes and views for a change of pace on the weekends.”

“We study with J.D.s in the same classes, with the same requirements, and are graded with the same standards. We have to study all the time, much harder. However, the excellent and available professors, the diverse and high-quality courses, and the cohesive and friendly atmosphere make everything worth it.”

“I had a wonderful journey in the UVA LL.M. program. UVA Law has leading scholars in various fields. Taking business law as an example, the courses in this area are widely diverse. Students have access to learn from the top business law scholars and successful lawyers. That said, students can have comprehensive theoretical and practical training. 

“The faculty members here are also super approachable. All the professors are perfectly friendly and can always provide constructive advice, either on academic questions or career development.  

“For the record, I LOVE the cookie day every Friday. I feel healed every time I have cookies at the end of the week.  

“It is my privilege to have my time at UVA. I will miss everyone and everything here. ” 

“Every LL.M. applicant has a deep desire to pursue a graduate program at an institution that stands out for its academic excellence, stunning campus and renowned reputation, which, hopefully, serves as a solid bridge toward future professional goals.

“While UVA’s boutique program more than satisfies every aspect of this determined search, it adds a beautiful touch through its matchless identity: a true community experience. Without a doubt, UVA’s community is its most attractive and incomparable asset. Close interactions with outstanding professors that extend from their courses to school-sponsored lunches and dinners, and constant exchanges with the J.D. students that are not only part of class discussions but are broadened in Charlottesville’s restaurants and bars and Virginia’s wineries and hiking trails, are part of UVA’s essence.

“Unlike many other institutions, the professors will know you by your name, and maybe by your favorite meals and hobbies, and the J.D.s will become long-lasting friends. All of that is aside from your LL.M. peers, who together form a unique orchard of diverse, brilliant lawyers of various jurisdictions from all over the world, and whose commonality is open minds and engaging hearts. So, make sure you leave plenty of room in your luggage because it will surely be filled with tight professional and academic relationships and close friendship bonds that no other LL.M. program will guarantee as much as UVA’s. ”

“The days I spent at the University of Virginia School of Law in beautiful Charlottesville are the treasures of my life. I really enjoyed studying here very much.

“I chose UVA Law because it offers a wide variety of courses taught by outstanding faculty. Indeed, every course was very interesting, and all of the professors were kind, passionate and helpful. I learned a lot from amazing lectures, lively classroom discussions and team assignments. Each class brought a new sense of excitement and wonder. I had never experienced the thrill of learning in this way before. I also enjoyed having dinner with students at professors’ homes; I was grateful for their warm welcome to international students.

“Additionally, I chose UVA Law because it has a smaller number of LL.M. students than other law schools, hoping that LL.M. students would get to know each other better and would have more opportunities to befriend and study with J.D. students. Happily, this turned out to be true.

“I was able to get to know both LL.M. and J.D. students from all over the world and create strong friendships with them throughout the year. I will always cherish these close friendships.

“One of the most fun events at UVA Law was playing softball. The LL.M. students formed a team. The practices and the games were joyous. It didn’t matter if we won or lost; what mattered was that we bonded and became friends — and made precious memories that will last a lifetime.

“Also, Charlottesville is beautiful, rich in nature and a great place to live. I woke up to birds chirping and sometimes encountered beautiful deer while I ran, and enjoyed hiking and trail-running in the mountains.”

“The program efficiently exposes foreign-trained lawyers to the basic structure and dynamics of the U.S. legal system. The classroom environment and the Socratic method promote debate and enhance the student’s argumentative skills — which is extremely valuable.

“Students are constantly exposed to group assignments, which fosters academic and professional exchange. The small size of the program encourages students to build personal connections, which is also crucial in expanding their horizons.

“It is worth pointing out that LL.M.s are considered part of the UVA Law community and academic life. Having the opportunity to take every course together with the J.D. and exchange students was a rich experience that only a tailored program for a small group of students could provide. 

“Within this context, professors are always available for questions, for a coffee to discuss your professional goals and career, or even just to know a little more about their students.

“Finally, the John W. Glynn Jr. Law & Business Program was a delightful surprise for me as a transactional lawyer. Under this program, many corporate law-related courses are designed to integrate business and legal analysis into the law school classroom. I will always remember Professor George S. Geis’ discussions in his Corporations class, where students were constantly provoked to think of the business motivation behind each case discussed. This teaching method builds a valuable bridge between the law and the real problems encountered in the business practice. ”