What's the difference between a JD and LLM?

A JD (Juris Doctor) is the foundational U.S. law degree required to become a practicing lawyer, focusing on broad legal principles and bar exam preparation, while an LLM (Master of Laws) is an optional, advanced degree for those already with a JD (or foreign law degree) to specialize deeply in a niche area like Tax, IP, or Environmental Law, offering theoretical depth rather than primary practice qualification. In short, JD gets you into law practice, LLM lets you master a specific part of it.

Is LLM higher than JD?

Neither is strictly "higher"; the JD (Juris Doctor) is the foundational professional degree to become a lawyer, while the LLM (Master of Laws) is an advanced, specialized degree pursued after a JD (or equivalent) for deeper expertise, making the LLM a postgraduate step for specialization, not a replacement for the initial license to practice law. A JD lets you take the bar exam and practice law; an LLM offers focused study in areas like tax or international law for career advancement, with LLM holders sometimes earning more due to specialization, but a JD is the entry ticket to the profession.
 

Do you get an LLM after a JD?

JD and LLM are two different things. LLM is for people who are attorneys in other countries but want to get licensed in a US state. It's a shorter law school program. Or, for US attorneys (or JD students) can get an LLM in addition to their law degree in order to get extra education in a specific area of law.

Is juris Master the same as LLM?

As Kajimoto summarized succinctly, “If you would like to practice law, you should pursue the JD. And if you're already a lawyer and you want to specialize in a particular area of law, then you should pursue the LLM.

Is LLM enough to become a lawyer?

No, an LLM (Master of Laws) (Magister Legum) does not, by itself, make you a lawyer in the U.S.; you typically need a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and must pass the bar exam, but an LLM is an advanced, optional degree for specialization, often pursued after a J.D. for deeper knowledge in areas like tax or IP, though it can help foreign-trained lawyers qualify for the bar in some U.S. states. 

What Is the Difference Between a JD Degree, LLM Degree, and Master of Legal Studies?

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners in large firms, top corporate attorneys, and successful specialists in high-value areas like M&A or IP, while elite personal injury and criminal defense lawyers also reach these levels; however, this is not typical for all lawyers, as the median salary is significantly lower, with the top earners achieving this through experience, specialization, location, and strong business development. 

Can I take the bar with just an LLM?

Unfortunately, for LLMs, there are not a lot of choices! Unlike students who graduate with a juris doctor degree, LLM degree holders face more restrictions on where they can sit for the bar. A handful of jurisdictions, such as New York, permit LLM graduates to take the exam and hold a license to practice law.

Can I call myself a lawyer if I have a JD?

Of course, the concepts of "lawyer" and "attorney" have much in common. They both describe individuals who have received legal training and have earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. However, every attorney is a lawyer, but not all lawyers are attorneys.

What is the salary of an LLM in the US?

An LLM salary in the U.S. varies significantly by specialization, role, and location, but generally shows higher earning potential than a JD alone, with averages ranging from around $120,000 to over $190,000 annually, depending on the source and focus, with specialized roles like Tax or Securities Attorneys commanding high salaries, while general roles might start lower, and tech-focused roles (like LLM Engineer) also see high figures. 

Is JD a real lawyer?

The difference between a lawyer and a JD is that a lawyer has passed the Bar Exam and is now licensed to legally practice law in the state where they passed it. At the same time, a JD is a person who has completed law school and earned a Juris Doctor degree.

Can I call myself a doctor with a JD?

You generally do not call someone with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree "Doctor" in the U.S., despite it being a doctoral-level professional degree; it's more appropriate to use "Attorney," "Counselor," or their Mr./Ms./Mx. title, although some academic settings use "Doctor," and the rule is debated, with other countries often using the title. The tradition in the U.S. is to reserve "Doctor" for medical doctors (M.D.) or Ph.D. holders, not J.D.s. 

Which LLM is most in demand?

Top 10 LLM Specializations in Demand in 2025 – Scope, Salary & Career Opportunities

• LLM in International Law.
• LLM in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
• LLM in Human Rights Law.
• LLM in Environmental Law.
• LLM in Cyber Law / Technology Law.
• LLM in Taxation Law.
• LLM in Arbitration, Mediation & Dispute Resolution.

Has anyone ever become a lawyer without going to law school?

Yes, people have become lawyers without going to law school, but only in a few states (California, Vermont, Virginia, Washington) that offer "reading the law" or apprenticeship programs as an alternative, famously including Abraham Lincoln and more recently Kim Kardashian. This rigorous path involves years of supervised study in a law office or under a judge before one can take the state's bar exam, though it's rare and success rates are lower than for law school graduates. 

Can you practice law with just LLM?

But an LL. M. degree does not qualify one to practice law in the US. That requires slaying a different beast: the bar exam.

What is the highest level of a lawyer?

The highest position for a lawyer depends on the setting, but generally involves Partner (like Managing or Senior Partner) in private firms for leadership and ownership, or General Counsel (GC) and related C-suite roles (like CLO) in corporations for top in-house legal leadership; while prestigious government roles like US Attorney General or Supreme Court Justice are also peaks.
 

Why get an LLM after JD?

An LL. M. is geared towards those whom either have a J.D. degree and want to gain additional training in areas such as tax law or health-care law, or those who earned a degree outside of the U.S. and are looking to break into the U.S. legal market.

How much does a JD make vs a Master of Laws?

The average salary of someone with a JD is $109,651, while those with an LLM earn an average of $142,663. Over time, your LLM may position you for promotions and other opportunities for advancement. You may also be more competitive for specialist roles that require deeper legal knowledge.

What is a good LLM GPA?

What is the typical LLM GPA requirement? There is no universal GPA requirement for LLM programs, but top US programs expect a strong academic record. While 3.0 on a 4.0 scale may serve as a general minimum, competitive applicants often present a GPA above 3.5.

How hard is an LLM?

The course emphasises legal analysis and problem-solving, which requires sophisticated legal terminology. While both a legal degree and an LLM require hard work and attention, an LLM is more difficult due to its concentrated curriculum and high demands for prior knowledge.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?

No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in her most recent attempt (July 2025), though she shared that she came very close and vowed to keep studying, sharing her disappointment and determination to pass in future attempts on her show and social media, as revealed in late 2025. She stated she's "not a lawyer yet" but is dedicated to her law journey, viewing the setback as motivation, per reports from November 2025.
 

Can you have a JD and not take the bar?

To qualify as a JD holder, you must complete three years of law school. After completing law school, many graduates will go on to take the bar exam. However, some individuals forgo taking the bar and are able to find jobs geared at legal experts who prefer not to practice law.

What percent of people quit law school?

Law school dropout rates vary significantly by school type and student demographics, with overall attrition for first-year students often around 6-8% at ABA-approved schools but much higher (over 40%) at unaccredited or California-accredited schools, where minority students, especially women of color, face even greater challenges due to academic pressure, mental health, and financial burdens, with some groups seeing rates over 10% compared to White students' ~5% at ABA schools.
 

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the bar exam, but not on her first try; she failed the Illinois bar initially, felt discouraged, but eventually passed on her second attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School and went on to have a successful legal career before becoming First Lady.
 

What is the highest degree in law?

Let's Sum it Up! The highest degree in law, typically a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) or Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD), therefore, is the pinnacle of legal education.

Which states can I take the bar without going to law school?

Yes, you can take the bar exam without going to law school—but only in a handful of states and only under strict conditions. California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington offer law office study or apprenticeship options as alternatives to law school.