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Inaugural class will begin in Fall 2025

VILLANOVA, Pa. (January 28, 2025) – Beginning in fall 2025, the �������� Charles Widger School of Law will offer a new LLM in US Law for Foreign-Trained Attorneys, expanding the law school’s professional offerings.

This one-year, in-person program is designed for individuals who have obtained a primary law degree (such as an LLB) outside the United States and will allow them to gain proficiency in the law, the legal system and its practices in the US. The program will also help individuals qualify to practice law in the US in those jurisdictions that allow foreign attorneys to sit for their bar exam upon meeting specific educational requirements. Graduates who return to their home countries will be well-equipped to advise on US law and provide expertise to international companies and organizations, expanding �������� Law’s audience and reach while better serving the global law community.

To earn the LLM in US Law, students must successfully complete at least 24 credits of coursework, with two required courses in the program: Introduction to US Law and the US Legal System and Legal Writing & Research for the US Legal System. Students may satisfy their remaining course requirements by choosing courses and seminars from those offered in the JD program, including intellectual property, business and corporate law and taxation. An LLM thesis is not required for the degree.

“Launching a program specifically for foreign-trained attorneys at �������� is an exciting opportunity,” said Mark C. Alexander, the Arthur J. Kania Dean of �������� Law. “Students will gain a broader, engaged understanding of the intricacies of US law and expand their skills to serve as experts in US law in other countries. The program will also allow us to continue building academic and professional relationships internationally.”

Applications for the LLM in US Law for Foreign-Trained Attorneys are due by May 1, 2025. Classes will begin in August. More information is available on the program’s website.

About �������� Charles Widger School of Law: Founded in 1953, the �������� Charles Widger School of Law provides broad-based legal education that is grounded in academic rigor, practical hands-on training and a foundation in business that prepares graduates for diverse and rewarding legal careers. The Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association, offers several in-house clinics and hundreds of externship opportunities that immerse students in the real-world application of their legal skills. �������� Law is home to Centers of Excellence—the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy; the David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance; the John F. Scarpa Center for Law and Entrepreneurship; and the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law—which provide students the opportunity to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary legal fields through study, practical experience and mentorship.

About ��������: Since 1842, ��������’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the �������� School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the �������� Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, �������� supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.