UC Law's Entering LLM Class Largest to Date

There’s lots of good news to share as the

College of Law

kicks off fall 2015. With 102 students, the JD’18 class is the largest entering class in the last three years at the College. Adding the 18

LLM students

—the largest class to date—120 new faces will now call UC Law their second home. 

“We’re excited to welcome the Class of 2018 to the College,” said Al Watson, senior assistant dean and director, Admissions and Financial Aid. “They’ve made a great decision to come to law school, and UC Law in particular. We look forward to seeing them grow and mature as professionals.”

The JD students represent 64 different colleges and more than 30 undergraduate majors. Interestingly, about 40 percent of them are from outside Ohio. Watson believes that the higher number of out-of-state students can be attributed to the new lower non-resident tuition and fees for non-residents. Tuition rates and student indebtedness are below national averages, increasing the value of a UC law degree even more.

Students are entering law school at a time when employment prospects are high for our recent graduates. UC students are employable and employed. 

“Eighty-three percent of the Class of 2014 obtained JD-required jobs – they are law firm associates, EEO managers, disability claims adjudicators, providing international tax services and conducting patent examinations, among other positions,” said Mina Jones Jefferson, assistant dean and director, Center for Professional Development.   “Recognizing that one’s professional career begins the first day of law school, we work hard to make sure they are equipped to succeed as professionals.  Our law school continues to be a school of choice for employers.”  

LLM Program Launches Third Year with Biggest Class to Date

The third class of

LLM students

began their legal studies last week with a week-long orientation program. This year, 18 students are participating in the program, representing 10 countries: Saudi Arabia, China, India, Ukraine, Cameroon, Uganda, Nepal, Philippines, France and Iran.

“We’re very excited about welcoming this group of students to the country, Cincinnati, and UC Law,” said Nora Burke Wagner, program director. “It was a pleasure recruiting them and I look forward to working with them throughout the year. Their insight and experience certainly will add to classroom discussion. I know our law students, faculty and alums will benefit from meeting and learning alongside them.”

All of the LLM students are attorneys who have earned law degrees outside of the United States.  Experienced professionals, some have worked in law firms, for companies and for NGO type organizations.  Frinwi Achu has experience working as an elections observer with Transparency International Cameroon. Arnold Agaba represented Uganda and made it to the final in the Jessup International Moot Court competition in Washington, DC.

Saqer Alqasmi of Saudi Arabia worked as legal coordinator in the Passports & Immigration Section of the Saudi Ministry of Interior. And Amanda Arigaba of Uganda has a LLM as well as a Diploma of Law in Human Rights.  She has worked for a law firm and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, as well as interned at the Uganda Human Rights Commission.  She was also active in local politics and sees the LLM program has part of the education she needs in order to play a leading role in sustainable change in her home country.