This post comes to us from Boston University School of Law
BU Law’s Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law is the oldest LL.M. program of its kind in the United States. Since our inception in 1984, we have trained more than 2,000 lawyers for leadership positions in both domestic and foreign banking and financial services industries. Our graduates span the globe and hold influential positions in government, law firms, corporations, financial institutions of all types, and multilateral and non-governmental organizations. The program’s faculty of highly experienced practitioners—a group of distinguished experts from the upper echelons of their fields—teach the skills that meet the evolving needs of employers in the financial services industry. And the program’s co-curricular activities give students first hand exposure to the practical aspects of working in a dynamic field that is at the center of the global economy.
Is this program for you?
The program is designed specifically for lawyers who seek advanced training in the rapidly evolving field of financial services law. Ideal candidates are established lawyers looking to enhance their skills in the field, as well as US- and foreign-trained attorneys seeking new career direction. For either group, our mission is clear: provide a relevant and practical education that equips students with the skills to make immediate and effective contributions to their clients and employers.
What sets us apart?
In today’s quickly evolving global marketplace, it seems as though law schools launch new programs every day, in order to equip students with the specialized skills needed to succeed in their fields. Even in this climate, our program remains unique: we are consistently evaluating our curriculum to ensure that it meets the needs of today’s financial services lawyers, while remaining committed to the theories that have prepared our students for success since conferring our first degree in 1984. Here are the ways in which our program remains unique, forward-thinking and student focused:
1. Our curriculum: Our course offerings are forward-thinking, designed to give students a thorough understanding of financial services law from important regulatory, transactional, and business-oriented perspectives. The program offers six optional concentrations:
2. Our faculty: Our courses are taught by nationally and internationally recognized experts from law firms, banks, financial institutions, government agencies, accounting firms and academia, with several serving in such senior roles as general counsel, chief regulatory lawyer, and chief compliance officer. The deep industry experience our faculty brings to the classroom ensures that your training will be relevant and practical
3. Our commitment to student success, inside and outside of the classroom: Our program is administered by dedicated professionals, who are committed to ensuring that your year at 
BU Law is the best year of your life. You will receive personalized academic advising sessions with the program’s director or assistant director, and you can contact the program’s coordinator for advice on personal or academic matters, large or small.
4. Professional Development Support: We are resolutely committed to our students’ professional success. The LL.M. Professional Development Office works exclusively with LL.M. students, offering individualized guidance on job search and networking strategies, resume and cover letter drafting, interviewing skills, and self-marketing campaigns. We also offer Financial Services Law Internships, which enable you to work at a law firm, financial services organization, not-for-profit organization, or regulatory agency.
This list contains just a few of the many reasons our Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law Program is unique and special. For a comprehensive overview of our program, I encourage you to visit our website.
Application Instructions
We look forward to receiving your application! Detailed information about the application process is available here. We are currently accepting applications for the spring 2015 and fall 2015 semesters. Candidates for admission may apply via the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Web site. All completed applications are thoroughly reviewed and viable candidates receive telephone interviews with the program director or assistant director.
Visits and Additional Information
Should you have additional questions about the Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law, or any of the other LL.M. Programs at BU Law, please feel free to contact our office at any time. If you have questions on the application process, our Graduate Admissions Specialist can be reached at bullm@bu.edu.
If you would like to visit BU Law, let us know. We would be more than happy to schedule an appointment with an admissions officer and also arrange for you to visit a class. We would gladly put you in touch with alumni from your home country, as well.
We look forward to receiving your application and to being in touch throughout the admissions process!
