President’s Corner > The Value of Graduate Legal Studies in Washington State

An interview with Professor Anita Ramasastry, associate dean for global and graduate programs at UW Law, about lifelong learning opportunities in the legal profession

By Sunitha Anjilvel

Greetings from your Bar president! This is the season when law students graduate and begin preparing for the bar exam. We congratulate the class of 2025—those who have earned their J.D.s or Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees from Washington’s law schools and are now undertaking the hard work of bar prep.

Of course, legal education can be lifelong. Beyond continuing legal education, lawyers often want to transition into new practice areas or learn about emerging topics such as the role of artificial intelligence in a changing legal practice, as well as in the work of their clients. There are also foreign-trained lawyers residing in Washington who may want to study and requalify as attorneys in the state.

As we congratulate the recent graduates, it is also a good time to reflect on opportunities for lifelong learning. With this in mind, I had the chance to interview Professor Anita Ramasastry, associate dean for global and graduate programs at UW Law, which offer lawyers multiple opportunities to retool or requalify. I asked her to explain the benefits of graduate legal education for lawyers and other professionals in Washington state and beyond.

Q. What do we mean by “graduate legal education” in U.S. law schools?

A. While many think of the Juris Doctor (J.D.) as a graduate degree, it is still the first professional degree in law that U.S. law students earn. A “graduate” degree in law like a Master of Laws (LL.M.), is a second advanced degree for people who already have a first degree in law—either from the U.S. or from a law school in another country, where law can be an undergraduate degree.

Q. What are the benefits of a graduate degree like an LL.M.?

A. Lawyers who want to further specialize or learn about a new practice area can do so by enrolling in a specialty LL.M. program. The University of Washington School of Law, for example, has seven different LL.M. tracks, with a focus on diverse topics such as Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Health Law, Global Business Law, Taxation, and Sustainable International Development. Our oldest LL.M. program in Asian & Comparative Law, which is over 50 years old, provides in-depth training for students interested in transnational legal practice. Each of these programs focuses on areas of strength at UW specifically, and they also represent strengths of legal practice in Washington state—a hub of technology and international trade. Students in some of these programs can also study part-time and modularize their studies, allowing them to continue working alongside their graduate studies. For students who want a more customized pathway, we also have an excellent General LL.M. option.

For lawyers trained outside the U.S., the LL.M. offers students a chance to take a set of approved courses that will allow them to sit for the Washington State Bar Exam and the bar exams of several other jurisdictions. In Washington, there are many foreign-trained lawyers, who may be here as spouses of someone working at a larger multinational, or who have moved here and are working as paralegals or in other fields. The LL.M. offers them a chance to requalify. Many of these lawyers can also help to serve various communities in Washington state. There is a growing need, for example, for lawyers trained in different legal systems and across different cultures, to work as immigration or family lawyers. UW Law offers bar preparation courses and a strong academic support program for all graduate students. Seattle University School of Law also offers an LL.M. program with different specialties.

UW Law and other U.S. law schools also welcome international lawyers from across the globe who want to pursue graduate studies in the U.S. These lawyers are attracted by the high quality of legal education and the chance to earn an advanced degree to enhance their practice in their home countries.

The LL.M. is, therefore, an investment in professional development. One of our recent students is requalifying to become a health law attorney after years as a tax practitioner. In the program I direct in Sustainable International Development, U.S.-trained lawyers often want a career change—to work in global public interest. These graduates go on to work in areas such as the rule of law and justice reform, human rights, or corporate sustainability.

Q. Why would someone trained as a lawyer in another jurisdiction want to earn an LL.M.?

A. For lawyers who have relocated to Washington state, the LL.M. offers them a chance to study and take the required courses to sit for the Washington State Bar Exam and other bar exams. It also gives them an overview of key aspects of the American legal system. In early September, the UW offers a Summer Institute in Transnational Law and Legal Practice, which provides international students with a great overview of important aspects of U.S. law and practice. In addition to being able to qualify to sit for the bar exam, it also allows these candidates to deepen their expertise who previously worked in any number of jobs. It is a real tool for change.

Some of our graduate students may not wish to practice law, but the LL.M. allows them to further demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in a U.S. graduate program. Some of my graduate students, for example, go on to work in international development or human rights work, but do not need a law degree.

Q. Do law schools offer degrees for non-lawyers too?

A. Increasingly, yes. For example, UW offers a master’s degree known as the Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.), which is designed for non-lawyers. This degree allows professionals to deepen their knowledge of different types of law, regulations, and policies. Some students, for example, may work in human resources and want to learn more about labor and employment law. Another professional might be a computer engineer and wish to learn more about intellectual property law and policy. Still other students might wish to learn more about constitutional law or human rights law because they serve as community advocates. The M.J., which just celebrated its 10th anniversary, offers students the chance to learn about core areas of the law from legal experts. Our M.J. alumni include an array of professionals working in technology, health care, immigration, social justice, and many other arenas where knowledge of law and legal process provides an added benefit and opportunity for advancement.

Q. Is there an ideal stage of someone’s career to pursue a graduate degree?

A. It all depends. As you mentioned, lifelong learning—students matriculate at different stages of their lives and careers. Some students pursue a concurrent J.D. and LL.M. program, knowing they want an extra set of courses that will help them stand out with greater competency in areas like tax law. Other students study when they are at an inflection point in their careers and want a new challenge and pathway.

Q. How will lawyers and professionals know if a graduate legal degree will be a good choice for them?

A. I encourage attorneys and prospective graduate students to reach out, visit the area law schools, and talk to alumni and mentors. Prospective applicants can also enroll in the two-week Summer Institute in Transnational Law & Practice to get a taste of graduate legal studies. Similarly, we have had students take one course as a non-matriculated student to gain exposure to studies as a graduate student.

I want to thank Professor Anita Ramasastry for sharing her insights on graduate legal education and the opportunities it presents here in Washington. As we celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2025, it’s also a time to reflect on our own professional journeys. Whether you’re just beginning your legal career or considering a new direction, graduate legal education can be a powerful tool for growth.

Washington state is fortunate to have three outstanding law schools—Seattle University School of Law, Gonzaga University School of Law, and the University of Washington School of Law—each offering a range of programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of our legal community. These programs help lawyers retool, requalify, and pursue new passions while staying rooted in service and lifelong learning. 

If you’ve pursued additional legal education—or are thinking about it—I’d love to hear your story. 

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This article is reprinted from the July/August, 2025 issue of Washington State Bar News with the permission of the Washington State Bar Association. Any other use of this material without the express written permission of the Washington State Bar Association is prohibited.