PLEASE NOTE: THE M.LL.P. IS NOW A ONE-YEAR PROGRAM
Program Description:
U.S. students are selected for the J.D./Master of German and European Law and Practice (M.LL.P.) on the basis of their academic records and fluency in German. Students spend the first two years studying at Cornell Law School, followed by one year at Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin. Upon successfully completing the program, students receive the Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School and the M.LL.P. from Humboldt.
About the M.LL.P.:
It is designed to impart a profound basic knowledge of German and European law at both an academic and a practical level. Courses are in the framework subjects of German law. Students in the program complete a series of law firm or institutional clerkships in Berlin or elsewhere over the course of the one-year program.
Admission to the Program
Applicants must be completely fluent in German. It is possible to apply at either of two points. First, one may apply in conjunction with the initial application (pdf) to the Cornell J.D. program. Alternatively, or in addition (for those whose pre-law school application to the program was unsuccessful), following admission to Cornell Law School, one may apply during the Spring semester of the first year, in response to an invitation circulated to the first year class.
See the First Year Application Form.
First and Second Year Curriculum At Cornell Law School
Third Year Curriculum at Humboldt-Universität:
In the third year, the students study the basics of German private and criminal law, constitutional law, business law, and European Union law. They write a Master’s thesis and undertake two internships in Berlin or elsewhere.
Please see the M.LL.P. program description here.
Following the award to the students of the M.LL.P., Cornell Law School will evaluate their performance and grant an additional 24 credits in advanced standing toward the Juris Doctor degree.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Applicants admitted by Cornell pay full Cornell tuition and fees during the first two years of study at Cornell, as well as during the third year at Humboldt. Students may continue to receive financial aid during the year in Berlin. Their package will reflect the expenses of living in Berlin as opposed to Ithaca.
Bar Examinations/Admission
Program graduates have the necessary legal training to qualify for the bar examination in the United States, but further study would be necessary to take the German First State Examination. It also should be noted that graduates should expect to take the February bar examination in the U.S. .
For a somewhat dated English-language description of the requirements for qualifying as a German lawyer, see Philip Leith, Legal Education in Germany: Becoming a Lawyer, Judge, and Professor, first published in Web Journal of Current Legal Issues (1995).
Program Administration
(for information and inquiries, contact Larry Bush)
Cornell Law School
Professor Claire M. Germain
Edward Cornell Law Librarian and Professor of Law
Director, Dual Degree Programs
Paris and Berlin
Professor John J. Barceló III
William Nelson Cromwell Professor of International and Comparative Law and Elizabeth and Arthur Reich Director
Leo and Arvilla Berger International Legal Studies Program
Larry S. Bush
Executive Director
Clarke Center for International and Comparative Legal Studies
Humboldt
Prof. Dr. Christine Windbichler
Dr. Helena Münnichová
Internationale Programme
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Juristische Fakultät
Tel.: +49-30-2093 3336
Fax: +49-30-2093 3414
website: www.rewi.hu-berlin.de/int/
