SMU Dedman School of Law in USA

Introduction

About

Founded in 1925, SMU Dedman School of Law is a top-ranked tier-one private law school located in Dallas, Texas, and is situated in a tree-lined neighborhood, just minutes from the city center. Established in 1949, the law school's graduate degree law programs have played an important role in training some of the foremost leaders around the world. We are proud our global alumni network - more than 2,000 graduatesfrom 80 countries who hold prominent positions in government, legal practice, business, the judiciary, and legal education worldwide.  

Exceptional Graduate Degree Programs

SMU Dedman School of Law offers graduate degree programs for both U.S. and foreign trained lawyers.The LL.M. and S.J.D. Programs enhance careers in the private practice of law, teaching, and public service by teaching analysis and problem-solving skills for meeting the complex demands of our world. The programs increase the student’s understanding of legal theory and policies, broaden the student’s legal horizons, and encourage the development of legal research and writing skills.

 Studying in Vibrant Dallas, Texas

SMU Dedman Law offers international students an opportunity to become part of a vibrant, diverse, scholarly community with the advantage ofstudying in Dallas - not only an international business center, but a dynamic cultural center situated midway between the east and west coast of the United States in a region known for its mild, sunny climate. Dallas is the ninth-largest city and the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex make up the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. It is a sophisticated city with a thriving job market, high quality of life and relatively low cost of living. It is a great place to live and study!

Globally Recognized Faculty

The faculty includes scholars and innovators in a variety of fields, including constitutional law, corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, health law, intellectual property, national security law, oil and gas law, public interest law, and tax law. These scholars regularly engage the world by appearing before congressional committees, working with state and federal regulatory agencies, arguing before state and federal courts, working with corporate executives and nonprofits, and regularly appearing in the media to translate their research or offer commentary on important stories of the day. Studying law at SMU gives students access to an exceptional faculty engaged in timely and cutting-edge research often informed by years of experience.

Learning Experience

In addition to our diverse curriculum, students are invited to take advantage of the many activities outside the classroom. At SMU Dedman Law, your learning experience will be enriched through year-round international conferences and lectures, bringing prominent international figures to campus to discuss current global legal issues. International LL.M. students take classes with American J.D. students and participate in ourInns of Court Program - a program that is introduced during orientation wherestudents connect in small groups with fellow classmates, faculty, student leaders, career advisors, and alumni for a community experience throughout their time at SMU Dedman School of Law. A faculty member will serve as your personal academic advisor. Practicing lawyers from the Dallas Bar Association International Law section also serve as mentors for our students.

Internationally Prominent Alumni

International graduates of SMU Dedman School of Law have made an impact all over the world. Our international alumni network includes more than 2000 graduates in more than 80 countries. These professionals can be found at the highest levels of government, legal practice, and business. SMU’s international alumni represent a broad spectrum of legal systems, including those from Central and South America, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. We strive for global geographic diversity in our student enrollments, and provide a high degree of individual attention and support for each international student.

Sobchok Sukharomna ’81

Supreme Court President, Thailand

Dr. Shen Shiaoming ’81

International Legal Consultant for Mackenzie & Albritton LLP

The Honorable S.M. Krishna ’59

Minister for External Affairs for India (2009-2012)

Siriporn Chaiyasuta ’85

General Counsel, Chevron Europe, Eurasia and Middle East Exploration & Production Limited

Moath Alhussain ’11

Assoc. Counsel, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation

Antonio M. Garza ’83

Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico

Dr. Helmut Sohmen ’66

Chairman and President, BW Group

Dr. Hassan Okour ’07

Former Dean, Qatar Law School

Jinsung Lee ’88

Justice, Constitutional Court of Korea

Yukio Horigome ’71

Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan

Hans Heppe‘97

International Partner, Locke Lord LLP Honorary German Consul

Student Life

The law school is located on the northwest corner of SMU’s main campus – with the classroom buildings, administration building and law library forming what is called the “Law Quad.” This ideal location provides easy access to many of SMU’s wonderful student resources, including dining services, a premier fitness center, and health services center.

Bar Exam Eligibility

International students who wish to practice law in the United States and qualify for admission to the bar in one of the states or the District of Columbia should familiarize themselves with the bar admission requirements in the particular jurisdiction where they plan to practice. Bar admission requirements vary from state to state. Some states require applicants to have a J.D. degree, and others will require only a certain number of course credits from a law school in this country. Texas now allows qualified foreign educated attorneys who have completed an LL.M. degree to sit for the Texas Bar examination.

The UNDERWOOD LAW LIBRARY houses the largest private law collection in the Southwest.

Prominent ALUMNI SMU law graduates include Texas Supreme Court justices, members of the U.S. Congress, an ambassador, a governor, foreign ministers and members of the highest courts worldwide, as well as partners at leading law firms and general counsels at major corporations.

As the first law school in DALLAS, we are fortunate to be in a city with a thriving economy, many corporate headquarters and an outstanding legal community. SMU Dedman School of Law continues to strive to develop the next century of leaders.

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Programs

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LLM

LLM FOR FOREIGN LAW SCHOOL GRADUATES

Campus Full time 1 year August 2017 USA Dallas

A primary goal of the LL.M. for Foreign Law School Graduates program is to provide law students with an understanding of the United States legal system, give a frame of reference for dealing with transnational business and legal interests, offer an appreciation of the role of law in national and internal development and equip them with the analysis and problem-solving skills needed to meet the complex demands of the world. [+]

The LL.M. degree for Foreign Law School Graduates is a one- year, full-time program for students who hold a basic law degree from a recognized international law school. Students enrolled in this degree program must complete 24 credit hours including the required two-credit course in Perspectives of the American Legal System. The remaining courses are elective and offer a wide range of choices. Students have the freedom to choose from a wide array of classes and can design their LL.M. degree to meet their needs and goals in studying in the United States. Students desiring to take a bar examination in Texas, New York or California can take classes required to qualify to sit for those exams. Other students may want to specialize in international studies or in other areas of the law. A primary goal of the program is to enhance the international student's legal skills so that he or she may become a more effective lawyer and member of society. In this respect the program seeks to develop: an appreciation of the role of law in national and international development the ability to identify, through comparative and international studies, policy considerations of various legal rules an appreciation of the role of the lawyer in social and economic change legal analysis and problem solving abilities to enable the student to meet the complex needs of our modem world a basic understanding of the U.S. legal system, as studied from a comparative perspective a frame of reference for dealing with... [-]

LLM Tax Law

Campus Full time Part time August 2017 USA Dallas

The Masters in Taxation program (LLM Tax Law), for full-time or part-time students, is a comprehensive, advanced-degree program designed for attorneys intending to specialize in tax practice. It focuses not only on technical mastery of the tax laws but also on wider issues of tax and fiscal policy. Most of the courses in the curriculum provide survey level instruction in subjects typically not addressed in J.D. level tax courses. [+]

LLM in Tax Law The law school has a long tradition of strength in the area of federal taxation. The graduate taxation program, for full-time or part-time students, is a comprehensive, advanced degree program designed for attorneys intending to specialize in tax practice. It focuses not only on technical mastery of the tax laws but also on wider issues of tax and fiscal policy. Most of the courses in the curriculum provide survey level instruction in subjects typically not addressed in J.D. level tax courses. In addition, advanced courses develop in depth, practice oriented expertise. Courses are taught by the law school's faculty and by adjunct professors and lecturers who are experienced, practicing tax specialists in Dallas area law firms and corporate law departments. To accommodate employed students, many tax courses are offered in the early morning, the late afternoon, and during the evening. Degree requirements To receive the LL.M. (Taxation) degree the student must meet all of the following requirements:   (A) Residence in the School of Law for no fewer than two terms if a full-time student and no fewer than three terms if a part-time student. Full-time students in this program may begin their studies in the fall term or the spring term.   (B) Completion of 24 term-hours in courses, seminars, or research and writing. Of these 24 term-hours, 18 credit hours must be in the taxation area. Mandatory courses are Tax Accounting, Taxation and Fiscal Policy, and Tax Practice and Professional Responsibility.  With prior approval of the... [-]

Master of Laws (General)

Campus Full time Part time 36 - 60 months August 2017 USA + 1 more

The general LL.M. program offers law graduates an opportunity to broaden their backgrounds in certain specialized areas of law by enrolling in advanced courses and seminars and by engaging in specialized research. Most students seeking this degree concentrate in areas such as corporate and commercial law, international law, intellectual property law, legal practice and procedure, natural resources law, or property law. [+]

The general LL.M. program offers law graduates an opportunity to broaden their backgrounds in certain specialized areas of law by enrolling in advanced courses and seminars and by engaging in specialized research. Although the School of Law awards no specific subject designated LL.M. degrees under this program, most students seeking this degree concentrate in areas such as corporate and commercial law, international law, legal practice and procedure, natural resources law, or property law. For degree requirements To receive the general LL.M. degree the student must meet all of the following requirements: (A) Residence in the School of Law for no fewer than two terms if a full-time student and no fewer than three terms if a part-time student. (B) Completion of 24 term hours in courses, seminars, or research and writing recommended by the student's academic adviser. A student entering the program must have an average of C or 2.00 on all courses taken. The requisite G.P.A. of C or 2.00 must be obtained in the first 24 credit hours. A student will not receive credit for a course or seminar in which his or her grade is below D or 1.00. With prior approval of the Committee on Graduate Legal Studies, a student may take four of the required 24 term hours in graduate programs of Dedman College (SMU's school of humanities and sciences), in Perkins School of Theology, or in the Cox School of Business. The student will receive law school credit on completion of all work to... [-]

PhD

Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)

Campus Full time Part time 5 years August 2017 USA + 1 more

The degree of Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) is the highest post-graduate law degree offered by the Dedman School of Law. The S.J.D is primarily a research and writing degree (as opposed to a course-oriented degree such as the LL.M. degree) during which the S.J.D. candidate conducts extensive postgraduate-level legal research with a view toward submitting an acceptable doctoral dissertation of publishable quality within a five-year period. This program is intended for highly qualified candidates seeking a legal academic career or a high level, policy-oriented governmental or inter-governmental position. Within a five-year period from first matriculation as an S.J.D. candidate, the S.J.D. candidate must satisfy the following requirements: Completion of the two-year probationary period described above. Submission of a doctoral dissertation of at least 80,000 words but no more than 100,000 words (including footnotes, but excluding Bibliography, Front Pages, Table of Contents and any Annexes or Appendices) on a coherent, analytical, and focused theme of a substantially legal nature; or submission of an equivalent doctoral dissertation in the form of a series of interrelated articles/chapters on a more general topic, but which collectively comprises a topically coherent volume. The dissertation must constitute the original work product of the S.J.D. candidate. The dissertation must represent and show evidence of substantial doctoral-level research work. The dissertation must display significant legal analyses on a doctoral-level subject. The dissertation must be of a publishable quality according to acceptable U.S. law review standards. The dissertation must make a substantial contribution to the advancement of the... [-]

Contact

Bobbye Heine, Assistant Director for Graduate Legal Programs, Email: bheine@smu.edu

Address	3315 Daniel Avenue, Dallas TX 75205
Website	http://www.law.smu.edu/smu-dedman-school-of-law
Phone	+1 214-768-2658