Global Trade and Maritime Law LL.M.

Charleston School of Law offers one of the few specialized LL.M. programs in Global Trade and Maritime Law in the United States—located in Charleston, South Carolina, home to one of America’s largest and most active container ports. The program equips foreign-trained and U.S.-educated lawyers with practical expertise in admiralty law, international trade, and maritime commerce through a combination of full-time faculty instruction and mentorship from active industry practitioners.

Why Study Maritime Law at Charleston

Charleston is not incidentally connected to maritime commerce — it is one of the country’s most active seaports. The Port of Charleston ranks among the nation’s top container ports, handling millions of TEUs annually through international shipping lines, freight forwarders, rail, and intermodal logistics partners.

Program Overview

• Degree: Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Global Trade and Maritime Law
• Credits: 24 total credit hours
• Core curriculum: Minimum 14 credit hours in global trade and maritime law
• Elective hours: 10 credits from the general curriculum
• Duration: Typically, one academic year (two 12-credit semesters); may extend up to two calendar years
• Tuition: $30,000 per year; merit scholarships typically awarded at acceptance
• Application deadline: June 1 for fall admission

Curriculum

The curriculum progresses from foundational principles in maritime and admiralty law through advanced sub-specialties in global trade and shipping. Areas of study include:

• Admiralty law and jurisdiction
• Maritime torts and personal injury
• Shipping contracts and charter parties
• International trade law and customs
• Marine insurance
• Cargo liability and freight claims
• Global trade regulation and compliance
• Intermodal and Transportation Law 

International students and foreign-trained lawyers may enroll in foundational U.S. law courses and may be eligible (see comment below to make wording consistent) for the New York Bar Examination upon completion — making this program a recognized pathway for foreign lawyers seeking U.S. admission credentials.

Faculty and Practitioners

Full-time faculty with scholarly and practice expertise in the maritime and trade law program, supplemented by local legal practitioners who maintain active careers in Charleston’s maritime industry. This practitioner component ensures that coursework reflects current developments in shipping law, port regulation, and international trade policy.

Career Paths

Graduates of the Global Trade and Maritime Law LL.M. pursue careers in:

• Maritime litigation and personal injury
• Shipping and logistics counsel
• International trade compliance and customs law
• Port authority and government regulatory roles
• In-house counsel at shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics companies
• International arbitration in maritime disputes

Application and Admission Process

Charleston School of Law begins reviewing files as they are completed and continues until all seats in the program are filled. The application deadline for the LL.M. program is June 1 for fall admission. An application to Charleston School of Law LL.M. program requires the following:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• J.D. from an ABA-approved law school, except for international students.
• International applicants with law degrees from schools outside the United States must obtain the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to ensure that the degree-granting school is the equivalent of an ABA-accredited school.
• Completed and signed application for admission. Applications are available at LSAC.
• LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (LL.M. CAS) Law School Report. Registration for the LL.M. CAS is available at LSAC.
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation, at least one from a law faculty member, a lawyer, or a judge. Applicants should use the LSAC Letter of Recommendation (LOR) service.
• Personal statement. Personal statements should be uploaded as attachments to your LSAC application. The admission committee considers many applicants with strong credentials and makes difficult decisions regarding whom to admit to the limited number of seats at Charleston School of Law. Applicants should provide a candid self-evaluation, detailing any information they believe will assist the committee in evaluating their application. Applicants should provide evidence of their abilities and strengths, including examples of leadership, maturity, organizational skills, and motivation to study law. Applicants may also wish to provide, as an addendum, information regarding any educational and financial obstacles that have been overcome or disabilities that may have affected academic performance.
• Current resume.
• Transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools attended. Transcripts from the degree-granting institution(s) must indicate the degree(s) earned and the date conferred. All transcripts should be submitted by the school(s) directly to LSAC.

LL.M. Admission Policy

The primary factors considered in admitting candidates are law school GPA and letters of recommendation from a law faculty member, a lawyer, or a judge.  In addition, other factors considered include the quality of the J.D. (or equivalent degree) program, significant work experience in the legal field, public service and/or community activities, and other outstanding and/or unusual characteristics that would enhance the variety of experiences and perspectives in the entering class.

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Charleston School of Law is mandated to issue an Annual Campus Security Report outlining School of Law security policies and reporting campus crime statistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the LL.M. in Global Trade and Maritime Law at Charleston School of Law? It is a 24-credit post-J.D. graduate degree combining maritime law, admiralty law, and international trade law. Offered in Charleston, South Carolina — a major U.S. seaport city — the program is taught by full-time faculty alongside practicing maritime lawyers and active industry professionals.
• How long does the program take to complete? Most students complete the program in one academic year: two semesters of 12 credit hours each. Students may take up to two calendar years to complete the degree.
• Who is eligible to apply? U.S. applicants must hold a J.D. from an ABA-approved law school. International applicants must hold the equivalent of a J.D. as determined by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Foreign-trained lawyers are encouraged to apply.
• What does the program cost? Tuition is $30,000 per year. The program typically awards merit scholarships at the time of acceptance.
• Can international students apply? Yes. Charleston Law welcomes applications from foreign-trained lawyers. Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL scores. The program includes foundational U.S. law coursework options, and graduates may be eligible for the New York Bar Examination.
• What career paths does this LL.M. support? Graduates pursue maritime litigation, in-house shipping counsel, international trade compliance, port authority roles, maritime arbitration, transportation law, and customs law. Charleston’s active port creates direct networking opportunities with local and national maritime employers.
• How does Charleston’s location benefit maritime law students? Charleston is home to one of the nation’s largest container ports. The Charleston Maritime Law Institute, established in 2004, connects students with senior maritime lawyers and Port of Charleston officials. Students participate in port visits and gain exposure to real maritime operations and legal practice. (Just align this with the content above)
• Is the LL.M. recognized for bar admission? Students should verify requirements in their target jurisdiction. Foreign-trained LL.M. graduates may be eligible for the New York Bar Examination. Charleston Law directs students to the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and jurisdiction-specific bar websites for current requirements.