BU Law Successfully Launches Legal English Certificate Program and Two-Year LLM Track

In September 2014, Boston University School of Law welcomed the first class of Legal English Certificate Program(LECP) students. The inaugural class consists of 29 students, representing 8 different countries: Armenia, Korea, Kuwait, China, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Turkey and the US.

The innovative program, developed in collaboration with BU’s Center for English Language and Orientation Programs(CELOP), is is designed to provide internationally-trained professionals with intense instruction in English communication and legal English skills, as well as graduated, foundational exposure to American legal culture, doctrinal concepts, persuasive advocacy, and academic success skills, with a particular focus on US legal studies.

LECP offers two tracks: a two-year LLM track for international LLM candidates whose admission to a BU Law LLM program is conditional on their completing the one-year LECP; and a certificate-only track, open to foreign professionals—including non-lawyers—who seek to enhance their English skills for the workplace and earn a legal English credential. Among this fall’s 29 students, 27 are pursuing the two-year LLM track.

“I am excited by both the size of our first class and the diverse backgrounds of our current students,” says Director Ian C. Pilarczyk. “Thus far, our students have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback on our curriculum and the opportunities this program affords them, and we have already witnessed a noticeable improvement in their legal English and English language skill sets. I am sure we are providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed as they go on to our LLM programs or return to legal practice.”

Currently, BU Law’s LECP students are enrolled in three courses during their fall semester: Legal English I, Academic Skills for Successful Graduate Studies, and Introduction to US Legal Culture. These courses comprise half of the LECP curriculum. In the spring they take Legal English II, Legal Writing, Persuasive Advocacy, Topics in American Law, and Academic Skills for US Law Studies.

“Developing course content for a year-long program devoted to the study of legal English has been a wonderful and gratifying experience,” says Maria Tomeho-Palermino, a senior lecturer at CELOP who coordinates the legal English faculty in the LECP, teaches Legal English I, and manages and teaches the Summer Legal English Program for pre-LLM students. “This cohort of students is incredibly enthusiastic, and they bring an extremely diverse set of life experiences to the classroom. It’s been a joy to teach in this program, and I look forward to doing so for years to come.”

BU Law has a long-standing tradition of developing coursework and materials aimed at improving the legal English skills of foreign-trained lawyers. In addition to the new LECP and Two-Year LLM programs,Boston University’s current portfolio of legal English programs includes two Boston-based summer legal English programs at CELOP, and several extended LLM enrollment options for the school’s traditional, residential LLM programs.

Assistant Dean John Riccardi shares Palermino’s enthusiasm for the program. “Our new Legal English Certificate Program underscores BU Law’s leadership in legal English as well as the school’s commitment to preparing foreign lawyers for success in LLM studies,” he says. “I am thrilled that this program, which is now the capstone program in our legal English portfolio, is off to such a great start.”

BU Law is now accepting applications for the Legal English Certificate Program/Two-Year LLM track for Fall 2015. Click here for application instructions, or email bullm@bu.edu for further information about the application process. For additional information on the academic content of this program, please contact Zachary Wang, the program’s assistant director.