Curriculum: LL.M. in Maritime Law

 

The Maritime Law LL.M. Program comprises of a rigorous study and training experience in the field through a focused theoretical and practical curriculum. The program requires 24 credits completed with a grade point average of 2.3/4.00, of which a minimum of 12 credits must be maritime law courses.

Required Maritime Law Core Concepts

In addition to the courses below, foreign-trained law graduates are required to take two additional courses: An Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Communication and Research. These courses provide foreign-trained law graduates with a foundation in American common law doctrine as well as legal writing and research.

Admiralty Law

This course studies the problems of the maritime industry; the admiralty jurisdiction in the federal system; carriage of goods by sea; charter parties, general average; rights of seamen and maritime workers; collision; salvage, maritime liens; and limitation of liability.

Coastal Law

This course examines the competing interests in the coastal zone, the problems of public and private ownership rights and the conflicts of legal jurisdiction. Shifts in federal policy, as well as varying policy considerations, are explored in depth. Specific state and federal statutes along with environmental concerns are integrated with the policy questions.

International Law

This course examines the law that governs the activities of nations. Included are such topics as what international law is and how it contrasts with domestic law, how international law is created, who is governed by and has rights under international law, how international disputes are resolved, and the role of the United Nations.

Law of the Sea

This course deals with legal regime of the maritime zones recognized by international law and the uses of the oceans while providing an overview of the public international law of the sea. It focuses on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, customary law and recent agreements supplementing the Convention. After a historical introduction, such topics as: the territorial sea, straits, archipelagos, the exclusive economic zone, the continental shelf, maritime boundaries, the high seas, the international seabed area, navigation, fisheries, marine scientific research, pollution and settlement of disputes will be examined.


Doug Gaston"There was no question that Miami Law was the place to go...It was exactly what I was looking for – a program that combines a great law school with an excellent marine school."
Doug Gaston, LL.M. '17
JD, Villanova University


Elective Maritime Law Courses

Students can choose from various other maritime courses such as:

  • Maritime and Coastal Legal and Policy Issues in Miami
  • Marine Insurance
  • Maritime Personal Injury
  • Marine Ecology and the Law
  • The Legal Environment of the Cruise Industry
  • Environmental Law
  • Piracy, Terrorism, and Drug Smuggling in the Maritime Domain
  • Protection of Living Marine Resources

Practical Learning Opportunities

Research Assistantships & Directed Research

Positions to work closely with a Professor from the program are available. Students may also undertake a directed research project focusing on a maritime law topic under the direction of a faculty supervisor.

Maritime Law LL.M. Externships

Students in the past have been selected for externship placements at: The United States Coast Guard District Seven Legal, Svitzer, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International.

Maritime Law Society
The Maritime Law Society has sponsored discussions on "Navigating a Career in Maritime Law" with the ABA's Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee.

UM Maritime Law Society

One of Miami Law's most active student organizations, The Maritime Law Society was founded in 1987 to serve as a forum where students, professors, and alumni could discuss maritime related issues as well as participate in Miami’s vast maritime culture.

Moot Court

LL.M. students will have the opportunity to participate in Moot Court Competitions such as the Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition.

Other Relevant Courses

Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

The Maritime Law LL.M. Program is flexible and provides a variety of paths toward completion. Students have the opportunity to take graduate-level courses at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) and may also choose from a variety of other courses relevant to the practice of Maritime Law from Miami Law's vast general course curriculum. For a full listing of upcoming courses, visit Miami Law's course catalog on CourseLink.

Examples of recently offered RSMAS courses:

  • Ocean Policy and Development and Analysis
  • Legal Environment and Business Planning in Aquaculture
  • Coastal Zone Management
  • Port Operations and Policy
  • International Ocean Law and Governance