The Center for Tax Law & Employee Benefits
Enhance Your Marketability with an LLM in Employee Benefits
Established in 1998, our LLM in Employee Benefits is the only ABA-approved program in the nation, attracting students both locally and nationally. Given the amount of regulation and legislation in this area of law, we are constantly adapting the curriculum to the changing practice with continuous input from our faculty and advisory board. As an LLM candidate, our transactional approach to employee benefits law will ensure that you develop the skills necessary to successfully practice in this area of law.
Our curriculum reflects the tax, labor, and employment aspects of employee benefits plans, as well as the interplay of these rules on the administration and maintenance of such plans. Courses are taught by knowledgeable employee benefits practitioners, as well as current and former members of the IRS's Office of Chief Counsel. A mentoring program between our candidates and regional practitioners, designed specifically to make the transition from academia to legal practice smooth and productive, provides exposure to a variety of practices and specialties within employee benefits law before graduation.
Degree candidates can also earn our LLM in Employee Benefits entirely online through John Marshall's eDegrees distance education.
Requirements
LLM in Employee Benefits candidates must complete 24 credit hours in order to earn their degree. In addition to required courses, you will select elective courses and externships/practicum opportunities.
After completing 10 credit hours in the LLM program, you have the opportunity to apply for one of the employee benefits externships or practicum. These programs provide first-hand experience in the practice of employee benefits law. LLM candidates are only allowed to take up to six credits in externships/practicum. Center director approval is required
Our program attracts recent law graduates and practicing attorneys who desire a better understanding of employee benefits. To accommodate the diverse needs and experiences of degree candidates, the program may be pursued full-time and completed over two semesters or completed part-time in less than five years. Classes are held in the late afternoon and evenings, and on Saturdays. One-week accelerated courses are also offered during the academic year.
Proposed Schedule
Summer Session |
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Employee Benefits Law (3 Credits) |
Year One, First Semester |
Fundamentals I of Retirement Plan Issues (3) |
Survey of Executive Compensation Plans (2) |
Survey of Welfare Plan Issues (2) |
Tax/Employee Benefits Research (2) |
Employee Benefits Elective (2) |
Year One, Second Semester |
Fundamentals II of Retirement Plan Issues (3) |
Employee Benefits Externship or Practicum (4) |
Employee Benefits Electives (4) |
This proposed schedule is based on a one-year degree track. LLM in Employee Benefits candidates must complete their degree within five years.
Curriculum
- Employee Benefits Law (EB 360, 3 Credits)
- Fundamentals I of Retirement Plan Issues (EB 361, 3 Credits)
- Fundamentals II of Retirement Plan Issues (EB 362, 3 Credits)
- Survey of Executive Compensation Plans (EB 365, 2 Credits)
- Survey of Welfare Plan Issues (EB 363, 2 Credits)
- Tax/Employee Benefits Research (EB 333, 2 Credits)
Please review each course description to determine what prerequisites apply.
- Cash or Deferred Arrangements (EB 354, 2 Credits)
- Compensation Law: Taxation & Other Legal Issues (EB 344, 3 Credits)
- Contemporary Benefit Issues (EB 367, 2 Credits)
- Employee Benefits in Corporate Transactions (EB 376, 1 Credit)
- Employee Benefits Litigation (EB 358, 2 Credits)
- Employee Benefits Practice & Procedure (EB 357, 2 Credits)
- Employee Benefits Public Policy (EB 378, 2 Credits)
- ERISA Fiduciary Law (EB 356, 2 Credits)
- ERISA Responsibilities for Financial Institutions & Service Providers (EB 352, 2 Credits)
- ESOPs (EB 355, 1 Credit)
- Executive Compensation Benefits: Advanced (EB 369, 2 Credits)
- Externship or Practicum (EB 390, 3-4 Credits)
- Graduate Seminar: Employee Benefits Law (EB 368, 2 Credits)
- Independent Employee Benefit Research (EB 394, 1-3 Credits)
- International Employee Benefits (EB 388, 1 Credit)
- Lawyering Skills IV: Drafting - Employee Benefits (EB 377, 3 Credits)
- Specialized Employee Benefit Plans (EB 366, 2 Credits)
- Welfare Benefits Plans: Advanced Issues (EB 364, 2 Credits)