An Overview, Tips for Applying and Finding Funding Sarah Gonzales Assistant Director Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Pepperdine University School of Law Copyright © Gonzales 2014

Law School – usually sit within universities 200+ law schools Approximately 141,000 law students 47% of law students are female Legal Education System

Accreditation Regional vs American Bar Association (ABA) VS

Before Applying Do you want to be a lawyer? If so, where do you want to practice? US, UK or elsewhere? Do you want to be something other than a lawyer? If so, is law school the best means to that end? Not sure if law school is right for you? Consider working before going back to school

Degrees Offered Juris Doctor (J.D.) Post-bachelors degree Three-year Master of Laws (LL.M.) Post-JD or foreign law degree One-year Doctor of Jurisprudence (S.J.D.) Three to five years PhD equivalent

JD Degree First Degree of Law Needed by US Candidates to Practice in the US Comparable to an LL.B. in Law 3 Years of General Law Education That Can Include Criminal Law, Contracts, Real Property, Torts, Corporations, Wills and Trusts, Remedies, Evidence, and more.

LLM Degree Advanced Masters Level Law Degree for Attorneys and Judges Open to US and International Candidates Depending on University Ability to Create an Area of Specialty or Learn About US Law Possible Topic Areas(general w/emphasis or specialized degree) General LLM for International Attorneys Taxation Dispute Resolution Intellectual Property Environmental Law International Law And More…

SJD Degree Doctorate of Law For Candidates Looking to Enter Academia Focus on Research and Writing Can Have A General Focus or Area of Specialization Look out for LLM to SJD Transfer Programs

Emergence of Non-Law Degree Options Landscape of Law School Are Changing Alternative Degree Options Emerging for human resources, labor, business, and other non-law fields. Bachelor’s Degree can be in other areas Not eligible to practice law Examples: Masters of Dispute Resolution - Pepperdine University Masters of Studies in Law (MSL)– Wake Forest Masters in Legal Studies – Arizona State University Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) – UC Hastings Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) – Yale

J.D. vs LL.M. Degrees: How to Choose the Right Program J.D. Graduate level: post Bachelor degree General Studies 3-year program Designed to allow for U.S. Practice & Licensing LL.M. Graduate level: post first law degree General/Specialized Studies 1-year program Designed to provide specialty knowledge Note that different career opportunities may be available depending on whether you have a JD or a foreign law degree with an LLM

LLM to JD Transfer Program Start with a LLM and Transfer Into a JD Program JD / LL.M. Joint Programs Earn Both an LLM with a JD in Three Years 2 Year JD for International Attorneys Hybrid Program Options

Choosing Schools Take a look at… Location Reputation of school and faculty Course selection and areas of specialty Availability of clinical programs Any special characteristics that are important to you Then, Select a range of schools that you would be happy to attend

Finding a School (J.D. and LLM programs) and (LL.M. programs) Check for ABA accreditation (over 200 ABA-approved schools) ABA Guide to Law Schools Check for U.S. Dept. of Education accreditation

What to Expect in the Classroom Differs Per Program Frequently, J.D. and LL.M. students take courses together Wide age-range of students Socractic method: heavy reading load, participation is expected and required Professors are approachable, accessible Entire course grade may be based on written final exam

In the U.S., you must be licensed in the state in which you intend to practice Resource: (Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admissions, updated annually) Becoming Licensed to Practice United States Law

Will my degree qualify me to sit for a US bar exam? If it will not, can I get an LL.M. and then sit for a U.S. bar exam? Education Given twice per year Two days (except CA) The Bar Exam MPRE Character and Fitness Pro Bono In addition to the Bar Exam Becoming Licensed to Practice United States Law

Application process Rolling admissions APPLY EARLY! Or Strict Deadlines Prepare a timeline for your application process: LSAT Recommenders Transcripts Essays Any other components: Resume, optional statements, etc.

The Personal Statement What should you address? Motivation Career goals Interest in the legal profession Experience in leadership, service, or diverse environments Suggestions Identify and address most critical issues Polish and proofread! Consider tailoring to fit different schools Support with details Add addendums if needed Avoid legal analysis

Application Examinations Examinations- English Proficiency Exams May Be Waived for Native English Speakers May not be required for some JD programs with LSAT exam TOEFL IELTS LSAT – Required for JD Program Not required for LLM programs

Letters of Recommendation Be Strategic Think about what you are trying to communicate Academic, Work Experience, Potential in the field? Don’t Just Focus on Titles Law schools prefer letters from someone who is impressed with you; not someone whom you believe will impress the school.

Law School Admission Council lsac.org

Evaluation Agencies Some Universities Accept Transcripts Directly Many Universities Use Third Party Evaluation Agencies to Provide Reports and Verify University Transcripts. Translation of Grades Ranking of School/Program Verification of Degree Completion Check With Your Intended University To See Which Services They Use or Accept.

Sources of Funding Internal Scholarships External Scholarships Fellowships University Scholarship/Grants Third Party Organizations Regional Scholarships Subject Based Scholarships Organizational Scholarship Look out for differing deadlines!

Pepperdine University School of Law Pepperdine JD M.D.R. or LL.M. in Dispute Resolution Faculty Scholars Award Full Tuition plus $5,000 living stipend Dean’s Scholarship ¼ to Full Tuition Diversity Scholarship ¼ to Full Tuition President’s Award $2000 Award Partial Scholarships Consider at the Point of Admission Full Tuition Beijing Arbitration Commission (BAC) Scholarship Full Tuition JAMS Scholarship Full Tuition Seegmiller Law Firm Scholarship Scholarships Available

Sources of Funding Internal Scholarships External Scholarships Fellowships University Scholarship/Grants Third Party Organizations Regional Scholarships Subject Based Scholarships Organizational Scholarship Look out for differing deadlines!

Some External Scholarships Fulbright Program for Foreign Students JAMS Foundation- Weinstein International Fellowship Program The Rotary Foundation Organization of American States IIE Iraq Scholars and Leaders Program Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships COPOCYT-CONACTY Annual Scholarship Program American Association of University Woman Fellowship and Grants P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund for Women Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship for Leadership Development Canadian Federation of University Women TOEFL Scholarship Program

Free Scholarship Listings

Pepperdine University School of Law JD Degrees Granted JD JD/MBA JD/M.D.R. JD/Masters in Public Policy Accelerated 2 Year JD Program/Cert in DR Special Programs Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship & the Law Nootbaar Institute on Law, Religion & Ethics Global Justice Program Pepperdine-Union Rescue Mission Legal Aid Clinic Special Education Advocacy Clinic Asylum Clinic University of Copenhagen Exchange Program University of Augsburg Exchange Program

Certificate Masters in Dispute Resolution (M.D.R) LL.M. in Dispute Resolution with Concentrations available in: Dispute Resolution Programs General LLM in Dispute Resolution Mediation Arbitration International Commercial Arbitration Litigation International Commercial Law and Arbitration

Why Study at Pepperdine? Wonderful location! Established Reputation Ranked #1 for 10 consecutive years by US News & World Report Diverse Student Body Practical Experience Creative Scheduling Established Faculty

Sarah Gonzales Assistant Director, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Pepperdine University School of Law | Skype: StrausInstitute