An LLM from the United States can transform careers. For lawyers seeking to transition into global roles, influence policy, or educate the next generation, the degree brings great value. Recent data confirms the LLM’s impact. As of April 2024, 53% of 2023 law graduates in the US were working in law firms, while 11.1% had joined the government sector.
These figures reflect a strong job market for legal professionals trained in the U.S. While much of this success is driven by the hands-on experience built into JD programmes, such as clinics, moot courts, and casework, LLM students may also access select opportunities that enhance their understanding of U.S. legal practice.
Texas A&M University School of Law takes this model even further. Ranked among the top 25 law schools in the country and in the top 10 for employment outcomes, it offers a rigorous, affordable education grounded in service and innovation.
A recent milestone saw 12 Aggie lawyers — Texas A&M alumni from across the university — sworn into the Bar of the United States Supreme Court, which enables attorneys to argue cases before the nation’s highest court. Their achievement reflects the growing stature and reach of the Texas A&M within the broader legal community.
It’s this reputation that draws talented lawyers from around the world to Texas A&M. But the deciding factor for Nadia Mendieta to apply here was its people.
“When I moved from Colombia to the U.S., I met a few people from Texas A&M,” she says. “They all spoke with such pride about their university and what it meant to be an Aggie. What I saw around Texas and the U.S. reinforced that it is an honour to be an Aggie and that Texas A&M is recognised for its academic excellence.”
One-year, career-changing LLM
The General Studies Master of Laws programme balances legal theory with practical training. Foundational courses cover the structure of the U.S. legal system, legal analysis, and key areas of doctrinal law. A writing or drafting course is mandatory, and an optional colloquium lets students to dive deeper into contemporary issues. Electives include Energy Law, Introduction to Risk Management, and Oil and Gas Law – a wide range that allows students to align their learning with their career goals.
What makes these courses resonate is the Texas A&M Law faculty. Students have access to senior faculty, rather than junior professors or aides — made possible by the school’s small class sizes and a strong culture of mentorship.
Students learn from legal scholars and practising attorneys who are leaders in their fields. The same professors who teach JD students also teach in the LLM programme, ensuring that LLM students receive the same level of academic challenge and professional preparation.
Mendieta recalls one class in particular, Civil Procedure, as a standout. “The teacher challenged all of the students daily,” she says. “The top takeaway for me is that you must understand the organisation of the class to learn and make that knowledge useful in your life as a lawyer.”
The skills she learned went beyond the classroom. She picked up practical tools, like using Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion (IRAC) to structure legal writing, identifying key issues in a case, and writing clearly and concisely. These hard skills translated directly into her work. “All of these skills have helped me save lots of time while working as a lawyer in Colombia and have helped me give my clients a better experience,” she says.
At Texas A&M University School of Law, students get a world-class legal education from a top 25 US law school at an affordable cost. Source: Texas A&M University School of Law
Big opportunities in a growing legal hub
The location is another advantage. Fort Worth sits in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, one of the largest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Students are surrounded by opportunity — law firms, courts, and government agencies are within walking distance. Dallas is just a short ride away. With a lower cost of living than the East or West Coast, there are also multiple cultural and entertainment options within reach of students and graduates.
And it’s not just about where you study, it’s about where the degree can take you. Texas A&M is a Tier 1 research university and one of the largest public institutions in the country. That name carries weight and its nearly 600,000 graduates span the globe. For lawyers seeking international careers, that global network is an invaluable resource.
Mendieta is a clear example of where an LLM from Texas A&M can lead. Today, she is a partner at MestreMendieta Penalistas, a criminal law firm in Colombia. In addition to her work at the firm, she also lectures on criminal and disciplinary procedure and teaches criminal procedure law.
Apply to Texas A&M University School of Law today.
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