Holding a Master of Laws (LLM) can open doors that a first degree in law alone may not. By offering advanced or specialized legal knowledge, an LLM allows legal professionals to deepen their expertise and stand out in a crowded market.
Graduates can leverage their degree to transition into new practice areas or accelerate their current trajectory. Whether you’re a recent law graduate in the U.S. or a seasoned international attorney, understanding what you can do with an LLM is the first step toward deciding if it’s the right investment for your career.
What Is an LLM Degree?
A Master of Laws (LLM) is a postgraduate law degree designed for lawyers and legal professionals who have already completed their first degree in law. Programs require a Juris Doctor (JD) or international equivalent to be eligible for enrollment. The curriculum develops expertise in American law or a specialized legal field.
The core of an LLM curriculum deepens expertise in U.S. law, but many LLM programs offer concentrations or specialized paths in areas like:
- Tax law
- Business
- Conflict resolution
- Human resources or employment law
- Compliance and regulation
- AI or intellectual property
- Litigation or criminal law
Most programs range from one to two years of study, but the format can vary, which affects completion time. Some programs are fully on campus, while others are 100% online. Many programs also allow you to choose between part-time and full-time enrollment to fit with the lifestyle that suits you.
Who Should Pursue an LLM?
If your career goals involve U.S. legal practice, specialized legal expertise or credentialed authority in a regulated field, the LLM could be a strong fit for you. An LLM will be most valuable for:
- Foreign-trained lawyers who hold a law degree from outside the United States and need U.S. legal credentials to practice or advise on American law, including those exploring bar exam eligibility in qualifying states
- Post-JD attorneys looking to deepen expertise in a specialized area such as tax, business or employment law
- In-house and compliance professionals with legal backgrounds who need formal credentials to advance into senior roles
- Legal-adjacent professionals such as policy analysts or government advisers with a first degree in law who want rigorous training
If you’re debating between an LLM and a JD, it comes down to your prior experience. The LLM is a graduate credential pursued after a first degree in law (either a JD or one of its international equivalents). If you don’t yet hold a first degree in law but want legal expertise, you’ll need to earn a JD, international law degree, or Master of Legal Studies.
To download a program brochure and learn more about the online Master of Laws in U.S. Law offered by WashU Law, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 314-597-3365.
What Jobs Can You Pursue With an LLM?
LLM degree job opportunities include myriad roles across the public and private sectors. Legal employers recognize the credential as evidence of technical depth and analytical capability, but a degree does not automatically qualify an individual for a specific role or compensation level. Work experience, certifications, location and industry all affect an attorney’s ability to secure these positions.
| Role | Median Annual Salary | Typical Employers |
|---|---|---|
| Law Firm Attorney | $151,160 | Am Law 100 firms, boutique practices |
| In-House Counsel | $185,100 | Corporations, startups, multinationals |
| Compliance Counsel | $183,000 | Financial institutions, health-care systems |
| Policy Adviser | $128,300 | Government agencies, think tanks, NGOs |
| Intellectual Property Lawyer | $191,400 | Law firms, tech companies, universities |
| AI & Technology Law Specialist | $175,000–$225,000 | Tech firms, regulatory bodies, law firms |
Source: Lightcast, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide
Law Firm Attorney
Median Annual Salary: $151,160
Working in a law firm is where many licensed attorneys find themselves, but the highest paying roles with the most interesting cases are highly competitive. An LLM can distinguish a candidate in a competitive lateral hiring market, particularly when targeting specialized practice areas. Large firms often recruit LLM holders for roles that require technical depth beyond general JD training.
In-House Counsel
Median Annual Salary: $185,100
Corporate legal departments value LLM credentials when filling roles that require specialized regulatory or transactional knowledge. In-house counsel typically advise on contracts, employment matters, mergers and compliance obligations across business units. An LLM in a relevant concentration can accelerate placement into senior counsel positions at companies operating in heavily regulated industries.
Compliance Counsel
Median Annual Salary: $183,000
Compliance counsel interpret and implement regulatory requirements across industries ranging from financial services to health care. The role sits at the intersection of legal knowledge and operational risk, making specialized LLM training particularly relevant. Demand for credentialed compliance professionals has grown steadily as regulatory complexity increases across sectors.
Policy Adviser
Median Annual Salary: $128,300
Policy advisers work within legislative bodies, executive agencies, international organizations and research institutions. An LLM degree signals legal rigor in environments where policy analysis carries regulatory or statutory weight. LLM holders in this space often focus on areas such as trade policy or environmental regulation.
Intellectual Property Lawyer
Median Annual Salary: $191,400
IP law is one of the most technically complex areas of law, with new regulations and laws changing the landscape as digital IP introduces further complexity. IP law commands some of the highest salaries in the legal profession, particularly for attorneys who combine technical backgrounds with formal legal credentials. An LLM in intellectual property prepares practitioners to handle the full arc of a dispute, from the patent office to the courtroom.
AI & Technology Law Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $175,000–225,000
AI is among the fastest-growing areas in legal practice, driven largely by regulators and legislators working to catch up with technology. Attorneys in this space guide clients through the resulting uncertainty. Because the role is still being defined by the market, compensation varies widely but consistently trends toward the upper range of legal salaries.
5 Benefits of an LLM
The LLM delivers strategic career value that compounds over time, offering concrete professional advantages for attorneys at all career stages.
1. Specialize in a High-Demand Area of Law
Legal employers increasingly seek attorneys with demonstrated expertise rather than generalist credentials. An LLM allows you to build concentrated knowledge in fields where demand for specialized counsel consistently outpaces supply.
2. Support U.S. Bar Eligibility in Certain States
For foreign-trained lawyers, an LLM may satisfy the educational requirements needed to sit for the bar exam in select states, opening up the door to U.S. practice. Eligibility rules vary significantly by jurisdiction, and the LLM does not guarantee bar admission. Candidates should review the specific requirements of their target state’s bar authority before enrolling.
3. Expand or Pivot Your Career Path
Not every LLM candidate is looking to deepen an existing practice. Some use the degree to move laterally to different specialties. A litigator may move to compliance or a family law attorney may move into policy or government. The LLM provides a structured way to reposition yourself when a career change requires formal legal grounding.
4. Differentiate Yourself in Competitive Markets
In legal hiring markets where many candidates hold a JD, an LLM in a relevant specialty can be the factor that makes your application more competitive. Employers treat the additional credential as evidence of both commitment and depth.
5. Increase Your Earning Potential
Specialization carries a salary premium in the legal profession. Attorneys who hold an LLM in a high-demand area often earn compensation above the median for general legal roles, reflecting the market value of expertise developed through focused, graduate-level study.
Considering an LLM to advance your legal career?
Explore WashU Law’s online LLM in U.S. Law and find out how the program fits your professional goals.
Legal Skills for Highly Regulated Industries: WashU Law’s Master of Laws in U.S. Law
The LLM in United States Law from WashU Law builds a deep understanding of U.S. law across its core principles, analytical frameworks and practice areas. This legal education is available entirely online, with no GRE requirement and no relocation required. The program can be completed in as little as 12 months.
The curriculum opens with foundational coursework in U.S. legal methods and legal writing, before moving into electives students select based on their professional goals. Six optional concentrations let you focus the online Master of Laws on the area of law that matters most to your practice, which are designed to align with evolving industry demands:
- AI in the Law
- Business Law
- Conflict Resolution
- Employment Law
- Litigation
As a historically top-ranked institution, WashU Law holds a distinct reputation within the legal profession. Employers nationwide recognize the analytical rigor of our curriculum and value the deep technical expertise our graduates bring to complex regulatory and legal environments.
Download a brochure to learn more, or start your application today.