December 13, 2012

UCLA School of Law, USA, Launches LL.M. Specialization in Law and Sexuality

Source: UCLA

UCLA School of Law, California, USA, has launched an LL.M. specialization in law and sexuality—the first program of its kind in the US. The new specialty is designed to provide rigorous training to emerging lawyers and scholars working in the field of sexual orientation and gender identity law, while enhancing the breadth and depth of legal scholarship related to LGBT issues.

“Similar courses and education programs on law and sexuality remain rare in many regions of the country and world,” says Lara Stemple, director of graduate studies at UCLA School of Law. “As law and policy on LGBT issues continue to unfold in our courts and legislatures, this program will provide young lawyers with the tools they need to engage in this dynamic and rapidly changing area of the law.”

UCLA Law’s LL.M. in Law and Sexuality will build on the prior work of its faculty and internationally-recognized Williams Institute, a think tank at the law school dedicated to sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.

“With recent projects in Latin America, Africa, the Balkans and South Asia, the Williams Institute's work is increasingly international,” says Brad Sears, Roberta A. Conroy Scholar of Law and Policy and executive director of the Williams Institute. “Students in the new program will gain experience and exposure by working with the Institute and they will greatly enhance our work.”

The program will include coursework on comparative and/or international law, focused on sexuality issues, including a course on Law and Sexuality and a Sexual Orientation Workshop. Students will also have the opportunity to take classes offered by faculty members and scholars associated with the Williams Institute, as well as participate in a range of Williams Institute activities, such as its speaker series and annual conference, moot court competition and Dukeminier Awards journal.

The program, which is open to both U.S. and foreign-trained lawyers who have a J.D. or equivalent law degree, is now accepting applications. For more information, please visit the link below.