Charleston School of Law

Introduction

The Charleston School of Law is rooted in tradition. Its origins can be traced all the way back to the 1825 formation of the Forensic Club by a group of Charleston attorneys for the “creation of a regular Law Institute in the City of Charleston” and to establish “a Lecture-ship on the Law.”

Today, the Charleston School of Law teaches the law as a profession and believes the chief aim of that profession is to provide public service. Students at Charleston Law are among the very few in the nation who are required to perform a minimum of 30 hours of public service before graduation. This commitment to “give back” is the bedrock of Charleston Law’s mission. The School of Law does not see the two objectives—building a prosperous life for yourself and bettering the lives of others—as mutually exclusive; rather they are dual, complementary strengths. Charleston Law provides its students with the expertise to be a great lawyer so that they may use their skills for the greater good.

Located in one of the South’s signature cities, the Charleston School of Law is part of a thriving legal community and is conveniently located near the historic “four corners of the law” and the federal and county courthouses. The open intellectual environment at Charleston Law complements the progressive nature of the city of Charleston. With its diverse economy, rich cultural heritage, thriving tourist industry, and nature amenities, the city—home to one of the nation’s busiest ports—is a hub of activity.

Housing

The Office of Admission works with incoming and continuing students to find housing in the Charleston area, but the school does not offer on-campus housing. Charleston offers many options for off-campus living. Whether students opt to live in the downtown historic district, at one of the nearby beaches, or in one of the many convenient neighborhoods and communities, they will find that carriage houses, apartments, or rental houses are available.

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

The LLM Program in Admiralty and Maritime Law aims to bring together students with the most experienced practitioners, judges, and professors in a broad range of maritime specialties; and with the nonlawyer maritime professionals that make Charleston’s port such a success. The program requires 24-credit hours, which may be completed in one academic year. When students graduate, they receive an LLM degree in Admiralty and Maritime Law.

The LLM program also benefits from the Sir Francis Drake Admiralty American Inn of Court. The Charleston School of Law’s charter was awarded by the American Inns of Court on September 20, 2011. This Inn of Court is the only one dedicated to the subject of admiralty and maritime law, and it serves as an important source of mentoring for the students in the LLM program.

CREDIT HOURS, TUITION AND COURSES

Application Deadlines and Admission Requirements

The Charleston School of Law begins to review files as they are completed and continues to review files until all seats in the program are filled. Applications for the LLM program are available through your LSAC LLM Account, and the priority deadline is March 1.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• JD 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
• LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) Law School Report
• At least two letters of recommendation; at least one from a law faculty member, a lawyer, or a judge
• Personal statement
• Current résumé
• Transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools attended

Contact Information

For additional information, please visit Charleston School of Law’s LLM Program website, or contact:

Professor Jennifer North
Charleston School of Law Admiralty LLM Program
PO BOX 535
Charleston, SC 29402
USA

Phone: 843.377.2451
Email: admiraltyllm@charlestonlaw.edu

Special Programs

The Charleston Maritime Law Institute was established in 2004 and serves as an advisory council to support our maritime law program. This group includes senior maritime lawyers from law firms around the country and chief counsels to major maritime industries as well as senior State Ports Authority officials and local industry leaders from Charleston. With the support of these outstanding people, students participate in trips to the various port facilities to see the subjects of their studies in action, from port direction and management to the movement of cargo and vessels.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, is a high-volume, expanding port and a world-class resort city. By combining both historic preservation and vital maritime commerce, Charleston is the perfect place for an LLM degree in admiralty and maritime law. Charleston is consistently ranked among the top cities in the world. The Charleston School of Law is located in the historic peninsula of the city within view of 18th-century church spires and the busy waterfront.