University of San Francisco School of Law

Introduction

The University of San Francisco School of Law, founded in 1912, and accredited by the American Bar Association, offers a rigorous education with a global perspective within a diverse, supportive community. USF is located in the center of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The San Francisco Bay Area’s legal and business markets offer unparalleled training and career opportunities. Home to Silicon Valley’s leading international law firms and corporations, the region is the business and financial capital of the West Coast of the United States and is a rich environment for observing American law in action. In addition to being able to immerse themselves in the legal profession in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, LLM students have the opportunity to thrive in an intellectually demanding and intensely personal education experience; engage in innovative legal programs that provide invaluable practical experience and service to communities near and far; and graduate prepared to be successful, effective practitioners and leaders in their chosen fields. Whatever your plans are once you receive your degree, USF will prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and professional networking opportunities to help get you there.

Programs

ICL and IP students attend classes taught by experts, develop hand-on experience, and access extensive networking opportunities. All foreign-trained students must complete the American Legal System I and American Legal Writing and ALS II courses that provide a strong foundation in the structure of the American legal system. The courses also teach the practical skills lawyers need to succeed, including fact gathering, legal analysis, legal research and writing, problem solving, and oral advocacy. Students attend hearings at the California Supreme Court and the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, a local jury trial, and a guided tour of San Quentin Prison. All LLM students benefit from individual counseling with a faculty member and career planning services, and mentor relationships with USF law school alumni who are practicing attorneys specializing in a variety of legal fields. The Office of Career Planning offers an array of services to all LLM students, including individual career counseling, résumé and cover letter review, interview preparation, networking events, and programs with practitioners regarding diverse areas of law.

LLM in Taxation and MLST students attend classes taught by experts, develop hands-on experience, and access extensive networking opportunities. For example, the Annual Tax Law Lecture Series features prominent tax and accounting practitioners and the opportunity to hear from and meet an array of other tax and accounting professionals. Students have a dedicated career and academic adviser who offers a range of services, including individual career and academic counseling, résumé and cover letter review, and interview preparation.

For more information, visit LLM Programs.

The Faculty

An accomplished faculty of dedicated teachers and noted scholars is the foundation of the USF School of Law’s academic program. USF professors bring to the classroom the highest educational credentials, substantial practical experience, and an underlying dedication to teaching, scholarship, and service. They are respected authors, researchers, and legal theorists who write books, casebooks, practice guides, law review articles, and book reviews. Faculty members have achieved numerous scholastic accomplishments—graduating from elite law schools, earning honors, and serving as editors of prestigious law journals. They have substantial practical experience and continue to be involved in service to the profession and the community. Their zeal for teaching comes to life in the classroom, in clinics, and in informal conversations with students. They create an intellectually challenging, but supportive, atmosphere in which each student thrives.

The full-time faculty is complemented by a large group of adjunct, visiting, and emeriti professors. They include federal and state judges, attorneys from public agencies, partners in leading international law and accounting firms, in-house counsel for national and multinational firms and corporations, and private practitioners.

Entry Requirements

The LLM ICL and IP Programs are open to applicants who have obtained a first degree in law or have completed in a foreign country the university-based legal education required to take the equivalent of the bar examination in that country, or are qualified to practice law in a foreign country, or are otherwise determined sufficiently qualified by the LLM Admissions Committee.

The LLM in Taxation program is open to applicants who have earned a JD or have completed a JD equivalent outside the US.

The MLST Program is open to applicants who have obtained a college or university-level degree in accounting, finance, or business administration or are otherwise determined sufficiently qualified by the Admissions Committee. There are no GRE or GMAT exams required.

Strong English language ability is a prerequisite for admission. For foreign students whose native language is not English, this requirement may be satisfied by

1. having completed basic legal studies in an English-speaking country in a university where instruction is in English or
2. by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)/International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or
3. successfully completing the USF LLM English Language Program (ELP).

The recommended TOEFL score is 90 iBT and the IELTS is 7.0. Applicants with slightly lower scores will still be considered for admission.

Application Procedure

LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law and LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law applicants must submit the following:

• Application form
• $70 application fee
• Personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Certification of finances (for foreign-trained lawyers)
• Transcripts
• TOEFL/IELTS scores (as needed—see Entry Requirements above)

LLM in Taxation and Master of Legal Studies in Taxation applicants must submit the following:

• Application form
• $75 application fee
• Personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• Certification of finances (for foreign-trained lawyers)
• TOEFL/IELTS scores (as needed—see Entry Requirements above)

For more information, visit LLM Admissions.

Tuition and Fees

Visit Tuition and Fees for additional information.

Financial Aid

For the ICL and IP LLM Programs, financial aid may be offered to a few international applicants demonstrating financial need and outstanding academic achievement who would otherwise be unable to pay for the LLM Program.

For the Tax LLM and MLST Programs, special financial aid packages may be offered to qualified applicants demonstrating financial need and outstanding academic achievement who would otherwise be unable to pay for the program.

US Citizens or Permanent Residents needing financial aid may submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 for federal aid and scholarship eligibility.

Location

The USF School of Law is housed in the Koret Law Center, which comprises Kendrick Hall, where classrooms and faculty offices are located, and the Dorraine Zief Law Library. Kendrick Hall features a rotunda skylight, spiral stairways, and circular configurations that enhance the natural light and offer informal gathering spaces for students and faculty. Classrooms offer power and wireless connections at every seat. Administrative offices are located in Kendrick Hall to provide easy access to services and staff. Office space for student organizations and clinical programs, a student lounge, and a café are all found here as well.

Linked to Kendrick Hall by a soaring glass atrium, the Dorraine Zief Law Library is a modern, technologically advanced study building that features a comfortable, flexible, fully accessible, and fully wireless environment for student study and research. It houses an extensive collection and connects to countless online resources. The library also features individual and group student rooms equipped with audiovisual equipment, computer classrooms, and research rooms.

The USF School of Law is located in a classic San Francisco residential neighborhood, complete with ornate Victorian homes and Golden Gate views. The city is an extension of the campus and plays a vital role in the overall educational experience. The law school is located minutes away from the Civic Center, home to federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as federal and state courts, including the California Supreme Court. The San Francisco Bay Area provides unsurpassed learning, externship, and service opportunities to complement the LLM academic program. When it’s time to unwind, our backyard is Golden Gate Park—a favorite spot for running, cycling, studying in the afternoon sun, or attending an outstanding music concert. Cafés, restaurants, and clubs as well as limitless entertainment options await, from ballet, opera, theater, and symphony to the Chinese New Year Parade and other cultural events. Entertainment options are limitless!

The LLM Tax and Graduate Tax Programs are located at USF’s downtown campus, in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District, making it convenient for working professionals to take courses and develop a supportive network. Courses are also offered online.

Student Life

Our students and faculty form a diverse, supportive, intellectually vibrant community that allows each student to excel. With one of the most diverse faculty and student body populations in the country, small class sizes ensure a high level of individual attention while activities and services offered by the law school and university community will enrich your educational experience. The law school sponsors frequent panels, guest speakers, and special programs that provide opportunities for students to network with faculty, alumni, members of the bench and the bar, and visiting dignitaries from around the world. LLM students are also encouraged to join the many student organizations sponsored by the law school, such as the Business Law Association, Environmental Law Society, Intellectual Property and Cyberspace Association, International Law Society, and Women’s Law Association.

Our students enjoy the cultural, recreational, and social programs and services available to the wider university community. The University of San Francisco sits on a stunning 55-acre campus and features a main library and learning center, several dining facilities, and the outstanding recreational and fitness facilities at USF’s award-winning Koret Health and Recreation Center complete with an Olympic-size pool, basketball courts, and fitness equipment.