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University at Buffalo: School of Law
The University at Buffalo School of Law -- the only law school in the State University of New York system -- is a premier public law school situated on the campus of a flagship public university. As one of the oldest law schools in New York State, UB School of Law draws on 137 years of experience and innovation in legal education offering a variety of graduate law programs. As New York State’s public law school, we are committed to ensuring access to a high-quality education at an affordable price. UB School of Law’s mission is to promote justice and cultivate socially responsible lawyers in all areas of practice. Our students learn to view the world with compassion, knowing that regardless of where they ultimately choose to work, they have a moral responsibility, as lawyers and leaders, to use their skills and knowledge to serve justice
Advanced law students come to Buffalo to work closely with leading scholars in many areas of scholarly inquiry and practice: cross-border business transactions and trade, criminal law and procedure, environmental law, labor law, constitutional law, civil litigation, tax, human rights, intellectual property, and more. They come to work in clinical programs that make a difference in local communities at the same time that they are taught to be practice-ready lawyers. They come to immerse themselves in the language and foundations of United States and New York law. And they come to join a community that shares their enthusiasm for confronting the challenges of ensuring justice and fairness in the global practice of public and private law.
Location
The Buffalo-Niagara region is a major metropolitan area with a diverse blend of communities, each with its own distinct character and all united in a rich panorama of life.
Within downtown Buffalo you will find United States District Court, United States Immigration Court, United States Bankruptcy Court, New York State Supreme Court, Erie County Court, Buffalo City Court, Family Court and Integrated Domestic Violence Court.
Additionally, Buffalo’s proximity to Canada provides access to a network of alumni engaged in cross-border legal practice and the opportunity to learn from practitioners on both sides of the border. And UB School of Law is the only law school within a two-hour drive of Buffalo, allowing our students exclusive access to the local legal community.
Degree Programs
The University at Buffalo School of Law offers five programs for students who already have a first degree in law.
The General LL.M. provides professionals with the flexibility to create a highly specialized course of study that draws on the School of Law's excellence in research, classroom instruction, and experiential learning. LL.M. students have access to nearly all the courses offered at the law school and can spend their time focusing primarily on the wide range of subjects offered each semester (including those students who need an LL.M. to become eligible to sit for the New York bar exam). Students can engage in research, working closely with a faculty member on a master’s thesis or an independent study. And they can take advantage of the many opportunities to learn law and the legal profession through pioneering clinical programs, externships, and judicial clerkships. Admitted students receive one-on-one academic advisement in the selection of their courses to help them navigate through the range of course offerings and practical learning opportunities.
The Criminal Law LL.M. builds on the law school's strength in the interdisciplinary study of criminal law and the work of the Buffalo Criminal Law Center. The Criminal Law LL.M. was the first of its kind in the United States and continues to be one of the only such programs. This program has attracted lawyers and professors from all over the world who intend to teach, do policy work, or serve as prosecutors or judges in their home jurisdictions. Several Criminal Law LL.M. students in the past three years have had prestigious Fulbright scholarships. Criminal Law LL.M. students are advised by Professor Luis Chiesa, an internationally known criminal law scholar with extensive experience in Spain and Latin America.
The innovative Cross-Border Legal Studies LL.M. Program, one of the first of its kind in the United States, recognizes the increasingly global nature of legal practice and the need for skilled attorneys to guide clients through their cross-border interactions. Located just 20 minutes from Canada, the U.S.’s largest trading partner, the School of Law is uniquely situated to provide students with exposure to cross-border legal issues both inside and outside the classroom. A strong network of alumni based in Buffalo, New York and Ontario, Canada engage in a wide range of cross-border legal practice including trade, tax, immigration, real estate, and corporate and transactional work. These practitioners serve as community partners in the program and informal mentors to LL.M. students throughout the course of their studies. In addition, each student is assigned an academic advisor to provide one-on-one guidance throughout the program.
The Two-Year J.D. for Internationally Trained Lawyers allows professionals who already have a first degree in law to earn a J.D. in two years rather than three. It provides a more thorough and immersive experience in U.S. law and legal education than a one-year LL.M. program can provide. Admitted students take the first-year curriculum and are part of the incoming J.D. class. In the second year, students take mostly electives in research, classroom instruction, and experiential learning.
The Doctor of Juridical Science is the law school’s most advanced degree. It makes full use of their creative and interdisciplinary faculty to prepare students for careers as law professors, judicial and other public offices, as well as high-level policy positions in international organizations. In the doctoral dissertation, the successful J.S.D. student will produce an original, innovative piece of scholarship that makes a contribution to the understanding of law. The J.S.D. degree can typically be completed within three years – one year in residence of full-time study with coursework, followed by a period of research and writing (generally an additional one to two years).
Tuition
The School of Law offers an affordable tuition rate for New York State and non-New York State residents. The tuition rates and fees listed below are for the 2024-25 academic year.
Note: Successful in-state applicants are required to provide proof of New York State residency post-admission. Refer to UB Student Accounts for the most current information regarding New York State Residency.
· LL.M. & J.D. Tuition (Non-resident): $31,470*
· LL.M. & J.D. Tuition (NYS Resident): $26,170*
· J.S.D Tuition (Non-resident): $24,990*
· LL.M. Tuition (NYS Resident): $11,310*
*Tuition rates are subject to change.
Learn more about tuition and fees here.
Application Process
Admission to the LL.M. and Advanced Standing JD programs require a first-degree in law that qualifies an applicant to be admitted to the bar in their home country. All applications must be submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and all foreign credentials must be evaluated through the ITAES evaluation service. Additionally, non-native English speakers must submit proof of English proficiency via TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score reports. Contact our office today to learn more about the application process!
Contact
Office of Admissions
University at Buffalo School of Law
409 O'Brian Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260 USA
Phone: +01 716 645 2907
Email: law-admissions@buffalo.edu
Available courses
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