LL.M. Programs
Lawyers looking to take their career to the next level will find challenge, choice and flexibility at the School of Law where our students come from around the globe.
Our innovative Cross-Border Legal Studies LL.M. Program, one of the first of its kind in the United States, recognizes the increasingly global nature of legal practice and the need for skilled attorneys to guide clients through their cross-border interactions.
Located just 20 minutes from Canada, the US’s largest trading partner, the School of Law is uniquely situated to provide students with exposure to cross-border legal issues both inside and outside the classroom. A strong network of alumni based in Buffalo, New York and Ontario, Canada engage in a wide range of cross-border legal practice including trade, tax, immigration, real estate, and corporate and transactional work. These practitioners serve as community partners in the program and informal mentors to LL.M. students throughout the course of their studies. In addition, each student is assigned an academic advisor to provide one-on-one guidance throughout the program.
Requirements: Admission to the Cross-Border Legal Studies Program requires a first degree in Law (JD or LLB). Students must take a minimum of 24 credits to complete the Cross-Border Legal Studies LL.M. degree, including a minimum of three credits of experiential learning. Courses qualifying as experiential include externships, clerkships, clinical programs and practicum, as well as a variety of in-class courses. International students will additionally take a two-credit legal research and writing class and a two-credit course that introduces the United States legal system.
Cross-Border Legal Studies LL.M. students must complete:
- The Cross-Border Legal Studies experiential capstone course
(In 2025-2026 a fall course will be required in lieu of the usual Spring capstone) - At least twelve (12) credits from an approved list of classes
The remainder of the students’ coursework will comprise electives from the entirety of the law school’s course offerings.
Students interested in taking the New York Bar Exam will be advised on the courses needed to satisfy the Bar’s requirements.
A list of approved classes may be found online, or received from the Cross-Border Legal Studies LL.M. Director, or the law school’s Records and Registration Office.