LLM in Intellectual Property

The UW School of Law is located in one of the world's premier regions for intellectual property production. From aviation to software industry pioneers, from biomedical research centers to game developers, Seattle is a hub for creative minds and entrepreneurial spirit. The IP LL.M. program provides specialized training in intellectual property law, training lawyers to provide legal counsel for scientists, engineers, computer programmers, artists, musicians and writers who hope to change the world through creative work. Students gain expertise in protecting inventions, works of authorship, trademarks and trade secrets, while acquiring advanced skills in advising clients in commercializing intellectual property and litigating intellectual property cases. The IP LL.M. program enables students to explore intellectual property from a variety of perspectives following their interests. Some students will examine the use of intellectual property in the software or biotech industries, while others will learn about its role in research and development or focus on intellectual property in the context of international trade or its impact on public health.

All applicants must have a legal education that meets one of the following conditions: Applicants who received their legal education in the United States must have a J.D. from a school accredited by the American Bar Association. Applicants who received their legal education outside of the United States must have a first degree in law (LLB, BLaw) or credentials to demonstrate equivalent qualification through work experience and their professions. For example, those who have passed a bar exam and are practicing lawyers in their own country are usually deemed to have LLB equivalence for the purposes of admission to this program. We generally prefer LL.M. applicants to have had some professional work experience.