The LL.M. in Dispute Resolution and Advocacy offers international and domestic lawyers a unique opportunity to learn from dispute resolution thought leaders in the heart of New York City. Through theoretical study, intensive skills training, clinical work, externships and opportunities for scholarship, LL.M. students will form a strong foundation from which to build a career in dispute resolution in the United States and beyond.
The LL.M. Program is led by Professors Andrea Schneider and Robyn Weinstein who oversee the Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law.
Dispute Resolution and Advocacy LL.M. Degree Requirements
- A minimum of 24 credits overall
- A minimum of 14 credits of coursework in dispute resolution and advocacy
- A minimum of 60 hours of experiential learning in dispute resolution. This can be completed through one of the following:
- Participation in one of four in-house dispute resolution clinics.
- An approved externship with a local dispute resolution organization.
- Participation in an approved dispute resolution competition.
- Completion of a 20-page research paper focusing on a topic in dispute resolution, either developed in a course or through independent study under the supervision of a Cardozo faculty member.
- Graduates of foreign law schools who plan to take the NY Bar must take Introduction to U.S. Law, Professional Responsibility, Advanced Workshop in Legal Research and Writing (two semesters), and a minimum of six credits in NY Bar subjects
Flexible start times allow LL.M. students to study full-time or part-time and begin their studies either in the spring (January) or fall (August) terms. Merit scholarships are available to domestic and international students. Learn more here.
For further information, contact the LLM Admissions team at LLM@yu.edu.
J.D./LL.M. Program in Dispute Resolution and Advocacy
This joint degree program makes it possible for Cardozo J.D. students (and students earning a J.D. from another law school who visit Cardozo for two semesters) to receive both degrees in seven consecutive full-time semesters rather than the eight semesters that are normally required. Applications for the J.D./LL.M. joint degree in Dispute Resolution and Advocacy should be submitted to the Office of Admissions during the fifth or sixth semester of a student’s J.D. studies.
Concentration in ADR for LL.M.
Cardozo L.L.M students may elect to obtain a concentration in Dispute Resolution. Students must complete a minimum of eight credits from a list of approved dispute resolution and advocacy courses. More information about obtaining a concentration in ADR is available on the LLM Registration and Curriculum Guide available here.
Dispute Resolution Clinics
Extracurricular Offerings
In addition to taking outstanding classes from acclaimed faculty, students supplement their education with a full complement of extracurricular offerings, including an intraschool negotiation competition and the Cardozo Dispute Resolution Society, as well as conferences, symposia and panel discussions. For further information, contact the LLM Admissions team at LLM@yu.edu.
Participation in Moot Court Competitions
LL.M. students have the opportunity to represent Cardozo Law School at the LL.M. International Commercial & Investment Arbitration Moot Court Competition next April in Washington, D.C. This is an annual competition organized by the Center on International Commercial Arbitration of the American University and is created specifically for LL.M. students around the country. There will be a round of interviews, and four students will be selected for the team. If interested, please apply by sending your curriculum vitae and a letter of interest on why we should choose you to represent Cardozo Law School for this competition to lcostell@law.cardozo.yu.edu before 11:59 ET on Friday, September 20, 2024.
Additionally, students can be part of the 2024 Africa Arbitration Day - New York Arbitration Moot Competition that takes place on November 1st at the New York City office of White & Case LLP. The purpose of the competition is to help develop the next generation of arbitration practitioners in Africa-related arbitration, and we will be using the Vis Moot Court problem for this year's competition. To apply, please submit a letter of interest, not exceeding 500 words, and a curriculum vitae to Prince-Alex Iwu at piwu@diazreus.com no later than 11:59 pm ET on Friday, September 20, 2024. Your letter should include your name, your law school, and degree program, and should describe your interest in Africa-related arbitration. There is no fee to participate in the moot. Please find more information here.
Hear from DRA LL.M. Alumni
“The LL.M. program at Cardozo Law School offered the right combination of ADR coursework for a foreign-qualified attorney. I had the opportunity to learn from world-renowned faculty in dispute resolution, and my fellowship with the Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution provided me with the experience and expertise for my current position at the AAA-International Centre for Dispute Resolution.”
“My LL.M. degree gave me an advantage when I returned to Italy, because few attorneys in Europe have access to such specialized education with a practical component. I took back not just the skills but the experience and mindset necessary to connect with and assist the dispute resolution community. Anyone interested in the international practice of dispute resolution should study at Cardozo.”
“I wanted my LL.M. to give me an advantage in the Sports Legal field and Cardozo gave me tools to improve it upon entering. The success of the LL.M. in Dispute Resolution and Advocacy at Cardozo Law School is not only that you can tailor the program to your needs and wants but also that New York provides the best setting for it; there will always be an event, an opportunity to network, or a person who knows a person who will change your life.”
“The people I encountered at Cardozo comprise an exceptional community that has profoundly enriched me personally and professionally. The LL.M. program equipped me with essential skills to seamlessly transition into the job market post-graduation, securing internships at the Office of the Ombudsman for the United Nations Funds and Programmes, as well as the Mediation Office for the Southern District of New York.”
"The LL.M. Program at Cardozo Law offered a wide variety of ADR-related courses that have helped me to become a skilled neutral. Importantly, the Divorce Mediation Clinic provided students with practical experience as mediators facilitating family disputes. This was critical to my professional development. I am extremely grateful for my time at Cardozo."
"The LL.M. in DRA gave me the opportunity to come in contact with personalities that have shaped and are shaping the ADR landscape in NY. During the LL.M. I was able to gain great practical experience through advanced clinics in the field, but I still had the opportunity to structure my course of study so that I wouldn’t miss out on more general courses necessary for the understanding of the US judicial and legislative system."
"Cardozo Law and the LL.M. Program provided me an invaluable experience with coursework and real experience mediating family law matters in NYC. One of the most special parts of the LL.M. program was the international and religious diversity that Cardozo offers to a domestic student. Developing relationships with people and learning to negotiate with cultural sensitivity are priceless skills which I use in my practice as an attorney, mediator and as a professor of law in Rhode Island."
"The LL.M. program at Cardozo Law School elevated my professional journey as a lawyer and litigator. Its emphasis on dispute resolution and advocacy skills sharpened my abilities in negotiation and courtroom practice. Since the program furthered my interest on subtopics, I pursued further learning and career opportunities in New York and abroad. The program's expert faculty and dynamic learning environment fostered my growth, enabling me to excel in my legal career and become a more effective advocate."
"Cardozo's LL.M. in Dispute Resolution and Advocacy propelled me into a career in international arbitration, emphasizing the strategic value of proficiency in several legal systems. The Divorce Mediation Clinic was to me a powerful reminder that, as attorneys, our work directly influences the lives of our clients - a crucial perspective easily overlooked in the day-to-day challenges of legal practice."
"Cardozo Law School's LL.M. in DRA is a great way to dive deep into the dispute resolution field. With role-play simulations, events, and top-notch scholarship led by global experts in negotiation theory and skills, this experience was pivotal for me. Specifically, I liked being a Staff Editor for the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution. The program has significantly shaped my skills and knowledge, not only for legal practice in NYC but also for various other professional endeavors."
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Dispute Resolution Course Descriptions