J.D./LL.M. Joint Degree in Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law

The Joint J.D./LL.M. Program in Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law, offers the opportunity to earn both degrees at once, saving both time and tuition expense.

Prospective law students and current Miami Law J.D. and LL.M. students have the opportunity to apply.

Joint J.D./LL.M. students must comply with all academic and distributional requirements for the J.D. degree, as well as with all EASL LL.M. graduation requirements.

Acceptance Information for Prospective J.D. Students

The LL.M. program may offer early acceptance to J.D. candidates with very strong credentials and relevant experience/demonstrated interest.

J.D. applicants who indicate an interest in the entertainment, arts or sports law fields may be contacted for entry into the EASL program’s "Honors/Early Admission Track," and if accepted it would enable completing the J.D. and the LL.M. with only one extra term of study.

If interested, be sure to select EASL joint degree as an area of interest on the J.D. application and the program will be in touch with an applicant should it offer this opportunity.

 “At HBO, I am observing in-depth the legal and business aspects of the television industry. I am participating and engaging in the negotiation of talent agreements (on-screen, writer/producer, and directors)...I am honored to be this year’s Legal & Business Affairs Intern."

Camila Pedraza, J.D./LL.M. candidate in Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law
(On being selected to participate in the Television Academy Foundation’s 2018 Internship Program)

Information and Timing for Current Domestic J.D. Law Students

J.D. students have the opportunity to earn both degrees in only seven semesters, saving time and tuition.

Students take graduate level entertainment, arts, and sports law courses during the third year of their J.D. program, with 12 LL.M. credit hours applied to both degrees.

A total of 100 credits is needed to complete both degrees: 76 credits for the J.D. PLUS 24 credits for the LL.M.

When to Apply

Miami Law J.D. students may apply to the LL.M. Program during fall or spring of their 2L year, but before the end of the spring semester of their second year.

Begin Taking LL.M. Courses

3rd year

Shortest Completion Time

• 7 semesters or
• 6 semesters + 1-2 summers

J.D. Credits Required

76

LL.M. Credits Required

24

Number of Credits Saved

12

"It affirmed my ultimate career goals. As I am getting my J.D/LL.M in Sports and Entertainment Law, I've wanted to get into this sphere, and it has given me direct insight into exactly what this type of law is actually like, and I love it."

Alyssa Levy, J.D./LL.M. Class of 2022
(On her summer 2021 Internship at Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp, New York, NY)

Information for International Attorneys

Foreign law graduates have the opportunity to earn both degrees in even less time. In addition to being able to apply 12 LL.M. credits to both degrees, students may also receive up to 29 Advanced Standing Credits for their foreign law studies to be counted towards their J.D.*

*The specific number of Advanced Standing Credits awarded will be determined by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, based on a review of the applicant’s J.D. application file.

• International Lawyers Interested in Taking U.S. Bar Exam

  For international students interested in completing the joint J.D./LL.M. and sitting for a U.S. bar exam, please view the EASL International option requirements.

• Foreign Students Who Need to Improve Legal English

  Miami Law offers a three-semester program - Intensive Legal English + LL.M. in Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law - designed for foreign-trained law graduates who did not achieve the minimum required TOEFL or Academic IELTS score and who need to improve their English proficiency before embarking on studying for their EASL LL.M.

• Current LL.M. Students Who Are Foreign Attorneys: Application Requirements for Admission to the J.D. Program

  Current Miami Law EASL LL.M. students should submit an application for admission to the J.D. program during the Fall semester of their LL.M. studies and no later than November 1.

  It is recommended that students discuss their intention to apply to the J.D. program with their LL.M. program director early on in their LL.M. studies to make sure their course selection enables them to complete all graduation requirements effectively.

  Please refer to the J.D. application overview page for further information.

  A separate admissions committee will review the application and determine eligibility to enter the J.D. program.

  The admissions committee takes into consideration grade point average in the classes taken with J.D. students while in the LL.M. program. In addition, because performance in basic U.S. law courses has been shown to be the best predictor of success in the J.D. program and passage of a U.S. Bar exam, the committee will take a close look at the character of the courses taken during the LL.M. year.

  It is strongly recommended that LL.M. students thinking about applying to the J.D. program take at least one 1L class and/or one basic U.S. law course during each semester of their LL.M. program such as:

  • Business Associations
  • Administrative Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Trust & Estates
  • U.S. Income Tax Law
  • Evidence
  • Substantive Criminal Law