Our LL.M. program attracts accomplished attorneys from all around the United States and the world, all of whom choose to meet the challenges of a globalized legal profession by pursuing their LL.M. degrees at Cardozo School of Law. They bring a diversity of skills, strengths, and interests to the classroom, making Cardozo more dynamic, engaging and productive.
Our Students
Elad Michael
Name: Elad Michael
Country: Israel
Degree(s): LL.B '20, LL.M. in Dispute Resolution and Advocacy '22
Most helpful courses:
"The ADR courses, such as Negotiation Skills and Theories, were helpful to my professional growth as they valuably allowed me to put into practice the skills I acquired in class through many simulation exercises."
Most challenging courses:
"The Conflict Resolution Journal stood out from other classes because the editing work is quite arduous and highly detail-oriented. It was a great opportunity for me to hone my writing and editing skills, and immerse myself in high-quality scholarship. The Journal was ideal for my pursuit of meaningful academic experience by allowing me to publish the student note that I wrote. I was also happy to join a micro-community within Law School."
Clinic/Externship: Divorce Mediation Clinic.
"In this Clinic, I honed my mediation skills with clients under the direct supervision of an experienced mentor, and applied them to resolve matrimonial disputes. I also refined my drafting skills by preparing the clients’ separation agreements."
The Cardozo Community:
"The Cardozo community is bursting with energy and ideas. The faculty members are personable and glad to chat with their students. There are multiple clubs and organizations that represent the diversity of Cardozo. I was on the Jewish Law Students Association which organized many events that made me feel at home where I can celebrate my traditions."
Work Experience:
"I plan on practicing law in NYC after sitting for the Bar exam."
Life in NYC:
"Living in the city affords the opportunity to live a lifetime in a day. It has EVERYTHING, ranging from shows, concerts, sports events, you name it. There is always something calling you.”
Advice:
"Get the most out of this period academically. Assimilate into the legal community by going to events, joining organizations, and pursuing engaging academic endeavors."
Name: Suzanne Pouillon
Country: France/Germany
Degree(s): Bachelor of Laws '18, LL.M. in European Law and Legal Comparison '19, Master's in English and North American Business Law '20, LL.M. in Intellectual Property '22
Most helpful courses:
"Every single one. No matter in which area of law you decide to specialize during your LL.M., every class requires you to learn to communicate with people who have been trained within a context of other doctrines and ways of thinking, leading you to question your own legal system on a daily basis, and to put different mechanisms in perspective in the face of different historical backgrounds. This makes you much more flexible and enables you to progress at an exponential rate. This year clearly provided me with a real mastery of the American legal system, but also constituted a permanent exercise in comparative law, which ultimately allowed me to better understand my own original legal system."
The Cardozo Community:
"The environment at Cardozo is very supportive. You can always reach out to someone, whether it's a professor, administration staff, or other students – both J.D. and LL.M."
Work Experience:
"After taking the NY bar, I will start working in the New York office of an international business law firm in the field of private equity funds and hedge funds."
Life in NYC:
"It has been the most exciting thing I have experienced so far; so much so that I decided to extend my stay after the completion of the LL.M., which was not initially planned."
Advice:
"Don't worry about potential language or cultural barriers when you arrive - they only exist in your head. Cardozo is a multi-cultural and open-minded law school. Participate in the many events offered both inside and outside of Cardozo and enjoy every bit of this once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Name: Yusuke Hisashi
Country: Japan
Degree(s): LL.M. in General Studies '22
Most helpful courses:
"Intellectual Property Licensing & Drafting was most helpful. The class was practical. In this class, I had weekly assignments on drafting and reviewing contracts and writing memos for clients. As I completed the assignments, I was able to learn what practical aspects to keep in mind when drafting documents."
Most challenging courses:
"Legal Writing was challenging for me. In this class, I learned how to research, write legal documents, and analyze cases. Since common law and civil law have different ways of thinking, it took me a long time to get used to the common law way of thinking."
Clinic/Externship: Tech Startup Clinic.
In this clinic, I provided pro bono legal services to startup companies in New York with the support of the professor. The content is varied, for example, entity formation, funding questions, intellectual property issues, etc. I learned how to handle legal issues for startup companies.
The Cardozo Community:
"Cardozo community is very supportive. I had a lot of concerns about living in the U.S., but they introduced me to some alumni before I enrolled, and I received a lot of support from them."
Work Experience:
"After graduation, I will work for a law firm that has Japanese clients. The law firm handles many intellectual property matters, and I believe that I will be able to utilize what I have learned at Cardozo."
Life in NYC:
"I really like the diversity environment in NYC. NYC is a place where I can be myself just as I am.”
Advice:
"Professors and staff at Cardozo are very supportive. If you have any questions and send email to them, you will get a response right away. Please do not hesitate to take advantage of Cardozo's great environment."
Name: Imelda Agalliu
Country: Italy
Degree(s): Laurea in Giurisprudenza '19 and LL.M. in General Studies with a concentration in Corporate, Commercial and Securities Law '22.
Most helpful courses:
"I loved engaging in all the doctrinal courses. Nonetheless, I found particularly inspiring the class of Legal Writing and Research, a transversal discipline where the law is treated not only as a science, but also as an art. Analyzing judicial opinions in-depth, drafting legal documents, acquiring an effective writing style, preparing for oral advocacy is indeed the very essence of the practice of law."
Most challenging courses:
"Lacking a business education, I was a complete novice to the economic concepts that intimately accompany the universe of Corporate Law. For this reason, the subjects of the concentration were initially the most challenging to me. But they also turned out to be the most beautiful intellectual adventure, making me grow up both as a jurist and as an individual."
The Cardozo Community:
"Studying at Cardozo also means diving into New York City: located in 5th Avenue, the beating heart of the most vibrant city in the world, Cardozo observes the complex and incessant evolution of reality and analyzes it under the critical prism of the law.
Another distinction at Cardozo is the belief that we don’t learn only from the books, but also from the people: during this year, I’ve had the privilege to be continuously inspired by my professors, my LL.M. fellows and the J.D. students."
Advice:
"My heartfelt advice for students (not only LL.M.s) who are about to embark on this journey at Cardozo is to be voracious and try to absorb every single ounce of beauty that this unique opportunity has to offer."
Name: Alexandre De Lespinasse
Country: Haiti
Degree(s): LL.M. in Intellectual Property '22
Most helpful courses:
"Intellectual Property Licensing & Drafting was an opportunity to learn from a pioneer in the world of Fashion Law about how lawyers negotiate to maximize the value of their clients' Intellectual Property assets. Professor Jetter's enthusiasm to share what she had learned throughout her career was contagious. Also Trademark Law - although I was already familiar with subject (as a trademark lawyer in Haiti), the professor's insightful questions helped me improve my ability to grasp the nuances of the law and in turn provide clearer advice to my clients."
Most challenging courses:
"Securities Regulation and Corporate Finance challenged me to concurrently apply many of the skills required of business lawyers, such as contract drafting, case reading, and statutory interpretations. The professor's practical approach to the subject helped me keep the big picture in mind as the semester went on."
The NY Bar:
"Look at it as an opportunity to sharpen your legal reasoning and writing skills."
The Cardozo Community:
"The environment is inspiring because the school has a sense of pride as a relatively younger school. Young lawyers from Cardozo can hold their own against lawyers from any of the most prestigious law schools in the country."
Work Experience:
"I intend to expand my family's Intellectual Property practice to NYC in a few years. The goal is to provide legal services to the sports and entertainment industries."
Life in NYC:
"I was inspired by a city intent on regaining its high energy.”
Advice:
"Attend as many events as you can, whether online or in person, to learn how practicing lawyers think and carry themselves."
Yoriko Sakai '08 LL.M. is an associate at AMPACC Japan. She focuses her practice on negotiating intellectual property transactions, including license agreements and open source agreements, and provides strategic guidance to clients seeking to monetize their intellectual property.