Global Trade and Maritime Law LL.M.

Charleston, South Carolina, is home to the nation’s ninth-largest container port and provides access to global markets through intermodal partners, including international shipping lines, freight forwarders, motor carriers, rail transportation, and supply chain logistics companies.

Located on the Charleston peninsula, the Port of Charleston and Charleston School of Law provide an incomparable experience for students seeking advanced legal study in global trade and maritime law. The program is staffed by full-time faculty and local legal practitioners who maintain close ties to the local trade and maritime industry.  

The course of study leading to the award of the LL.M. degree consists of twenty-four (24) credit hours. At least fourteen (14) credit hours must consist of classes satisfying the global trade and maritime curriculum. The remaining ten (10) hours may be chosen from the general curriculum of Charleston School of Law.

The course offerings will provide each student with the opportunity to advance in any of these various sub-specialties and to tailor their studies beyond the basics to their individual professional interests. The flexibility of the curriculum allows foreign-trained lawyers to also enroll in foundational U.S. law courses that make them eligible to sit for the New York bar exam.

The degree can be completed in one academic year, consisting of two twelve-credit-hour semesters. Ordinarily, this will be a Fall-Spring course sequence. Completion of course requirements in one academic year is not required; some students may wish to complete the required 24 hours over a longer period, but no longer than two calendar years.

The aim of the program is to provide both variety and depth in the courses offered, covering the field from the general, introductory level to the sub-specialties comprising global trade and maritime law.

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.