The LL.M in the Law of the United States (LOTUS) Curriculum
“I chose to do my LL.M. at the University of Baltimore School of Law for both the location and price, but it was the faculty and staff that really made my decision easy. They were all welcoming and helpful throughout my studies. Thanks in part to the LOTUS program and its focus on the foundations of the U.S. legal system, I was able to pass the Maryland Bar. I hope that you will also make the decision to go to UBalt. It was definitely a great experience for me!”
Dmitriy Mironov (Russia), Class of 2013
The LL.M. LOTUS curriculum is designed to provide foreign lawyers a first-rate education in the law of the U.S., insights about the American legal profession, and valuable skills in legal analysis, research and writing. The LL.M. program requires completion of 32 credits of coursework. The program may be completed in one year (two semesters) as a full-time student or in two years (four semesters) or more as a part-time student. Classes will be scheduled during the late afternoon and evening.
LL.M. LOTUS students choose one of two tracks of study: U.S. Practice or Elective Concentrations. Both include required courses on Introduction to the Law of the United States, and Legal Analysis, Research and Writing (LARW). The U.S. Practice track requires certain core doctrinal courses that lay the foundation of American legal concepts. The Elective Concentrations track provides for study of specific areas of the law for which course prerequisites have been met. Students will work closely with the Director of the program to ensure that they are choosing the proper track to meet their professional and personal development goals.
U.S. Practice
The course work for students intending to take a U.S. bar examination provides students with the basic principles of U.S. law. Most classes are comprised entirely of LL.M. LOTUS students. This allows students to learn in an environment consisting of students with similar backgrounds. In the fall students enroll in Introduction to the Law of the United States, which serves as an introduction to the legal system of the United States. Students are also required to enroll in Legal Analysis, Research and Writing (LARW), a class which provides necessary practice in basic legal skills. In addition, students take courses that are frequently tested on bar examinations including Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, Property and Torts.
Elective Concentration Track
The Elective Concentration track provides for study of specific areas of the law. In addition to the required courses, I ntroduction to the Law of the United States and Legal Analysis, Research and Writing (LARW), students will usually enroll in several of the U.S. Practice courses in the fall semester to provide a framework of U.S. law and serve as a basis for elective courses taken in the second semester.
The Director will assist LL.M. LOTUS student on the Elective Concentration track in designing a course of study from the law school's course offerings that meets the student's academic and career goals. Students may choose electives from any courses offered by the School of Law for which the student has met the course prerequisites or otherwise has an adequate background. Students may use the electives to concentrate their study of U.S. law in one of the following areas: business law, criminal practice, electronic commerce, environmental law, estate planning, family law, intellectual property, international law, litigation and advocacy, public service, and real estate practice.
Elective course descriptions are available on the law school's website.
Courses may be taken at other area law schools and other colleges within the University of Baltimore with the approval of the Director, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and all appropriate authorities at the receiving school or college. Advanced Legal research (a scholarly independent writing course) is available to students on this track; thesis and externship opportunities also may be available. No more than 10 credits may be earned in non-classroom courses.