Maritime law is the area of the law that addresses legal issues that relate to the world's oceans and waterways. A student who wishes to become an expert in maritime law frequently completes his or her studies by receiving a maritime law LL.M., or Master of Laws degree. An LL.M. degree is a masters of law and is an additional step above and beyond the education required to become an attorney in general. The requirements for receipt of a maritime law LL.M. will vary somewhat by jurisdiction; however, there are a number of similarities.
Anyone who aspires to accomplish a maritime law LL.M. must first receive a bachelor's degree in the major of his or her choice. While most law schools will consider applicants with an undergraduate degree in any major, a student who plans to practice in maritime law may wish to consider a business or science undergraduate degree. An undergraduate degree in international studies is also an excellent foundation for a future practice in maritime law.
After graduation from undergraduate school, a student who plans to ultimately pursue a maritime law LL.M. must usually apply to an be accepted at a law school. While the requirements for acceptance into an LL.M. program vary, almost all require the applicant to be a licensed attorney in the jurisdiction where he or she resides. In the United States, and many other countries, this requires completion of three years of law school culminating in the receipt of a doctor of jurisprudence degree.
Prior to applying to a maritime law LL.M. program, most applicants must also be licensed to practice law in his or her country of residence. In the United States, an applicant must successfully complete the bar examination and the multi-state professional responsibility examination (MPRE). A thorough background check is also frequently necessary before receiving a license to practice law in the state of residence.
Once licensed, an applicant is ready to apply to a maritime law LL.M. program. Maritime law is a highly specialized area of the law which makes the receipt of an LL.M. a wise career choice for anyone who plans to practice maritime law. While most attorneys are allowed to practice in any area of the law he or she chooses once licensed, some areas of the law, such as maritime law, are so specialized and international in nature that additional education is advisable even if not technically required. In most cases, a student will need to attend school in another state, or even another country, in order to complete a maritime law LL.M. as there are a limited number of universities that offer the degree.
