LLM in Practice Skills

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About the Program

The LL.M. in Practice Skills helps J.D. graduates meet increased demand for skills as an essential component of practicing law. Program participants will have the opportunity to develop and hone their skills in critical areas such as client interaction, document drafting, negotiating, litigating, and running a law firm, with a focus on any of the following core areas:

  • Transactional Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Criminal Practice

Hands-On Learning: Program courses either simulate or engage students directly in a real-world environment, with multiple opportunities for performance, feedback, and self-evaluation.

Transferring Units

Students may transfer up to 8 qualifying units from their JD program upon approval of the program director.

Curriculum

The LL.M. in Practice Skills involves a core of required courses in addition to a variety of electives. Students must earn a total of 24 units in qualifying skills courses.

Required Courses: 18 units

  • Client Interviewing & Counseling (2 units)
  • Contracts Drafting (2 units)
  • Civil Motion Practice (3 units) *
  • Criminal Motion Practice (3 units) *
  • Law Practice Management or Solo Practice (2 units)
  • Negotiation Theory & Skills (3 units)
  • Trial Practice (3 units) or Advanced Trial Advocacy (3 units) **

Elective Courses = Select 6 units

  • Advanced Civil Discovery Practice in California
  • California Pre-Trial Preparation
  • Advanced Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Clinic – Small Business Clinic (may include Nonprofit & Small Business, Trademark and Patent) Clinic - Veteran's Legal Assistance
  • Deposition Practice
  • Externship
  • Intro to Mediation
  • Litigation & Technology

* A qualifying externship or clinical experience may be approved in lieu of one of these classes.

** Students who have not already completed Trial Practice (e.g., via transfer units from JD Program) may earn units in both Trial Practice and Advanced Trial Advocacy

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will demonstrate:

  1. Competency in client interaction, including interviewing, counseling, and cultural competency;
  2. Competency in negotiation and conflict resolution;
  3. Competency in drafting either litigation or transactional documents; and
  4. Competency in the organization and management of legal work.

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