Courses: Georgetown offers more courses for LL.M. students than any law school in the world. As part of our extensive course offerings, the curriculum includes a selection of courses specifically designed for students who want to improve their skills in legal communication. Courses include:
U.S. Legal Discourse I
U.S. Legal Methods
Introduction to U.S. Contract Drafting
Writing for International Trade Practice
Writing for Tax Practice
Writing for Law Firm Practice
Presentation Skills for Lawyers
Other Programs: In addition to our extensive for-credit course offerings, the Center offers a wide array of non-credit programs that are open to all foreign-trained LL.M. students. These Workshops occur throughout the fall and the spring semesters and include the following:
Academic Support for Foreign-trained LL.M. Students
- Understanding the U.S. Law School Classroom
- Preparing for Law School Exams
- Interviewing Techniques for U.S. Law Firm Practice
Georgetown Law's Language Center provides you assistance with oral and written communication in English. Our linguists and legal experts can help you become more proficient in all aspects of English usage and legal communication.
The Language Center offers two separate programs. The English in Context conversation groups give you a forum for practicing your oral communication skills. The Writing Workshop Series writing groups can assist you with enhancing your academic writing skills.
Both programs are designed to foster a supportive, collegial, and rigorous small group environment.
English in Context Conversation Groups
English in Context is a small, non-credit conversation group that meets for an hour each week. During that time you will work on enhancing your comprehension and use of English in the U.S. context. Discussion topics will emerge from your group's interests and questions. Activities include individual feedback on general English conversation skills in all areas, including usage, pronunciation, and grammar.
Writing Workshop Series
The Writing Workshops are a series of non-credit sessions that meet for 1.5 hours each week to concentrate on a specific area of legal written communication.
Workshop topics include:
- Planning your Legal Academic Writing Process
- Refining your Seminar Research or Memorandum Scope
- Utilizing Legal English Vocabulary
- Implementing Legal Research Writing Methods and Practices
- Writing a Working Draft via an Iterative Process
- Understanding U.S. Legal and Academic Writing Culture
- Demonstrating Coherent, Cohesive, and Concise Written Communication
- Editing and Proofreading your Final Draft
Writing Center Workshop Descriptions
Two-Year LL.M. Program and Certificate in Legal English
Georgetown offers a unique two-year LL.M. program designed for students who would like to devote particular attention to enhancing their legal English skills. In the first year of the program, students take a set of required law courses taught by law faculty that focus on legal analysis, legal writing, and other legal skills. Additionally, all students take English for International Lawyers, a course taught by a Ph.D. Linguist that combines ESL instruction with law-related readings, writing, and discussion. In the second year of the program there are no required courses and students select courses from our regular LL.M. curriculum. For more information about this program go to http://www.law.georgetown.edu/graduate/twoyearllm.htm.
