LL.M. Transnational Business Practice with Internship
This program shares many of the requirements and focus of the LL.M. program without internship. It is primarily designed for: Recent law school graduates who seek to augment their J.D./LL.B. study with an additional program of graduate work focused on international business law. Experienced foreign or domestic attorneys who want to transition the focus of their practice to international business law, or who want to expand their knowledge and add depth to their practice with a comprehensive program of graduate study, would also benefit from this degree.
The program includes one semester of study on the Pacific McGeorge campus and the opportunity to participate in a 12-week internship with an international law firm.
Program Requirements
- 24 units of study
- Fourteen (14) units to be completed in residence during the fall semester on the Pacific McGeorge Sacramento campus, except that with prior approval up to two of such units may be completed off campus as Directed Research during the spring semester.
- Ten (10) units upon successful completion of an internship of at least 12 weeks during the spring semester followed by completion of the three to five-day post-internship intercultural legal competence workshop.
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.33 on a 4.33 scale
Required Courses
- LL.M. Legal Process (three semester units) — Only for those trained outside of the United States
- International Business Transactions or Transnational Litigation (three semester units)
You may tailor the rest of your academic studies by choosing from a variety of elective courses in substantive areas of U.S. Domestic Business Law and International Law.
Elective Courses 1
| Course | Units |
|---|
International Law Courses
U.S. Domestic Business Law Courses
1 With prior approval, candidates may also be permitted to enroll in other elective courses relevant to transnational business practice not listed above for the purposes of completing the 14 units in the fall semester. Note: Not all electives listed above are offered in every academic year.
2 With prior approval, may be taken in the Spring.
3 Limited to LL.M. candidates from civil law jurisdictions for Fall enrollment only.
The Internship
Candidates are placed in a law firm for a minimum of 12 weeks in one of many countries located around the world. Interns are expected to be fully integrated into the daily work of the host firm. Among the tasks normally assigned to interns are research, preparation and review of documents, client interviews, negotiations, and observing court appearances.
The internship must be completed in a country other than the candidate's own country of law study. While geographic preferences are always considered, a specific location cannot be guaranteed. Placements in some countries require proficiency in the local language.
Pacific McGeorge relies on its strong international network of alumni and professional colleagues for internship placements. In recent years, LL.M. candidates have interned in Austria, mainland China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United States, and Vietnam.
We work diligently with the student to find an appropriate placement and have an excellent record of finding placements for students, but securing a placement always depends upon an appropriate match between individual qualifications and the needs/offerings of host firms. The more flexibility a student has in terms of location and the stronger a student's qualifications, the greater the chances are of obtaining a rewarding placement.
During the course of the internship, students are required to keep a journal and to communicate periodically reflecting upon their experience and observations with the faculty supervising this program.
The internship program closes with a three- to five-day post-internship Intercultural Legal Competence Workshop on the Sacramento campus of Pacific McGeorge in which students compare and evaluate legal cultures and systems in their host and home countries, addressing such questions as differences in legal practice, ethics, and approaches to transactions, negotiations, litigation and other dispute resolution. In rare cases with good cause shown and prior approval, in lieu of attending the post-placement workshop, students may prepare a paper reflecting on and analyzing these topics as illuminated during their internships and prior experience.
Questions?
Contact the Graduate & International Programs Office
Email | 916.739.7353 or 916.739.7019
