Introduction. The academic journey of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) student starts in September with the Opening Ceremony as an introduction of their year ahead. Followed by an engaging launch week with diverse activities, students will start fostering both cohesion and practical skills acquisition. Spanning three periods, the program includes core courses preparing all students with essential legal knowledge. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas during the year: International Business Law, Digital Law and Intellectual Property, or International Dispute Resolution, thereby allowing a in-depth knowledge of their chosen field. Finally, during the electives period, students will be able to tailor their experience by choosing different classes aligned with their personal and professional aspirations. The program closes with an engaging final project, an opportunity to showcase their acquired expertise and insights.
LAUNCH WEEK. Kick off your LL.M. journey with our Launch Week, an immersive orientation week designed to welcome you to IE Law School and introduce you to the program. Through a variety of engaging seminars and activities, you will begin developing the key skills and knowledge needed for the year ahead. This week lays the foundation for what will be an exciting and transformative year.
1st Period. SEP. – DEC.. Core Essentials 1st Period. INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTS. The aim of this course is to provide students with the skills and tools, as well as the critical mindset and methodology, to effectively negotiate and draft contracts in an international, cross-border scenario. At the end of the course, all students should be able to easily identify and use the sources of International Contract Law, and successfully draft and structure an international transaction that meets both parties’ requirements as well as the applicable rules and regulations.. EU LAW. This course is designed to provide students with the essential skills and competencies fundamental to the successful practice of European Union Law in any substantive area.. INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Today’s corporate lawyers need to be aware of the importance of dispute resolution in transactional practice. The course will cover the essentials of international dispute resolution for a transactional lawyer, as well as dispute resolution mechanisms from a corporate perspective: arbitration, litigation and mediation. Students will then discover the legal framework of each of these methods and in what ways corporate accounting impacts disputes and funding schemes. The class will learn how to plan dispute resolution in commercial and investment contracts and foreign investments, and how to draft basic considerations for dispute resolution clauses.. INTERNET, DATA AND THE LAW. This course is devoted to the study of information privacy law in a global context. The class will begin by surveying privacy theories suitable to the contemporary challenges of data surveillance, tracking and the practices of targeted advertising and campaigning. The course then focuses specifically on the EU and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the global standard for data protection. Students will become familiarized with the EU data protection framework and will learn to compare them with equivalent frameworks from different jurisdictions, including those influenced by the GDPR, like the recent California Consumer Privacy Act.. INTERNATIONAL TAX LAW. The regulatory, practical and ethical foundations of international tax law serve as a framework for learning about both multinational corporations’ international tax planning strategies and the ways in which states seek to collect taxes at a time when international tax competition is becoming increasingly fierce. These issues are constantly evolving and being refined and must be complemented by the study of multilateral efforts to curb tax evasion, including the OECD/G20 BEPS project.. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOR LAWYERS. This course will help students understand how financial statements are created and how accounting decisions affect these statements, helping lawyers to make the most accurate decisions for their clients. Students will learn the theory behind using accounting as a tool for decision-making and problem-solving through analytical, creative and critical thinking.. LEGAL WRITING. During this optional course, students will focus on developing skills that allow them to write clear, concise, and effective legal documents. Students will learn to draft various legal texts, including memos and briefs, while mastering legal research techniques and citation formats.. COMPARATIVE JURISPRUDENCE. This course provides an overview of the fundamental principles, structures, and functions of legal systems, mainly continental systems and common law. Students will explore the development, classification, and sources of law, together with the roles of key legal institutions. The course also examines the interaction between law and society and compares different legal traditions around the world.. Specializations 1st Period. Period One INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LAW. COMPARATIVE CORPORATE LAW. This course will provide students with a functional and practical overview of the regulation of corporate institutions, focusing mainly on the US and the European Union. In addition, it will introduce students to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as a strategic tool to generate growth, enhance a company’s competitive position, transform a company and create shareholder value.. INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION. INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION 1. This course familiarizes students with the fundamentals of today’s international commercial arbitration practice, which has increasingly become the natural forum for the settlement of international commercial disputes.. DIGITAL LAW and INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. INTERNATIONAL IP LAW. This course analyses the international intellectual property system, as well as the major international conventions including WIPO-administered treaties, the TRIPS Agreement, regional treaties like the TPP, NAFTA, USMCA, and the relevant EU Directives and Regulations. It focuses particularly on the roles of international organizations in the European continent: the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante. It also looks at the roles of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in shaping IP policies around the world. Finally, the course covers the protection of traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources.
2nd Period. JAN. - APR.. Core Essentials 2nd Period. * Students must choose one class between Litigation Skills and Transactional Skills.. NEGOTIATION. This course intends to improve participants’ negotiating skills. Under the supervision of course instructors, students will work in teams on case studies. By the end of the course, participants will know how to prepare for negotiations, achieve goals, satisfy interests more effectively and ensure the enforceability of agreements.. LITIGATION SKILLS. This course develops practical skills for effective advocacy in the courtroom. Emphasis is placed on developing oral and written advocacy techniques and understanding procedural rules to competently represent clients in civil and criminal cases.. TRANSACTIONAL SKILLS. Students will obtain the practical skills needed for structuring and executing business transactions. Topics include contract drafting, negotiation techniques, due diligence, risk assessment, and deal structuring.. SPECIALIZATIONS 2nd Period. Period two INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LAW. CAPITAL MARKETS LAW. This course addresses the regulation of capital markets, with a focus on EU law with reference to US securities law. The cornerstones of the course are the prospectus, transparency and market abuse rules. It also tackles public and particularly private enforcement.. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE. In this course, students are introduced to the concept of corporate governance and its key features and goals. It tackles the regulation and practice of actors in corporate governance, focusing mainly on shareholders and the board of directors, but also with reference to other bodies including gatekeepers like auditors, and their role in corporate governance.. CROSS-BORDER DEALS. The course studies the complexities of the main types of business deals such as Mergers & Acquisitions and corporate divestitures, together with the main steps to be followed in each of them.. ACCOUNTING & TAXATION OF CROSS-BORDER DEALS. The students will acquire a deep knowledge on matters that are relevant in the tax structuring on the acquisition of companies and on main Due Diligence aspects. The objective of this course is to develop a self-autonomy on the future development of this area of practice in their careers.. INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION. INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION 2. The course tackles the main issues related to international commercial arbitration, including the arbitration agreement, jurisdiction of arbitrators, conduct of the proceedings, the role of arbitral tribunals and national courts, and the challenge, recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards, combining theory and practice mainly from the perspective of the counsel’s strategy.. BUSINESS MEDIATION & ADR. First-hand acquaintance with alternative resolution methods is becoming a must for any law practitioner in the field of business disputes. Through this course, students will receive high-quality, hands-on training in the field, becoming equipped to naturally incorporate learned tools and skills into their future practice.. INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT LAW & ARBITRATION. This course provides an overview of the substantive and procedural aspects of international investment law and dispute resolution. With reference to positive and customary public international law, the ICSID Convention, the network of bilateral and multilateral investment agreements, and landmark arbitral awards, students will become acquainted with substantive standards of protection such as fair and equitable treatment, full protection and security, prohibition of undue expropriation, umbrella clauses and more, as well as issues from attribution to state defenses. They will also understand the complex issues at stake regarding jurisdiction, admissibility and procedure in the field.. INTERNATIONAL LITIGATION. This course addresses the main normative tools necessary to navigate the often-troubled waters of cross-border disputes. The class will learn to deal strategically with cross-border litigation, judicial cooperation, parallel arbitral, civil or criminal proceedings and international insolvency situations by applying international treaties—like the New York Convention, the Hague Choice of Court Agreements Convention or the Hague Judgments Convention—and the considerable procedural acquis that the EU has developed in its quest to become a genuine area of freedom, security and justice.. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & TECHNOLOGY LAW. DATA PROTECTION. Data protection and information privacy centers on how we, as individuals and organizations, distribute, manage, store, and secure the data we generate, use and collect. Special attention will be given to the Data Protection Act and to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), and how the international legal framework places clear responsibilities in connection to personal data.. COPYRIGHT LAW. This course offers a comprehensive examination of EU, international and comparative copyright law. The subject matter and scope of copyright protection, economic and moral rights, exceptions and limitations, as well as the notions of authorship and originality are among the topics covered in this course. In addition, the course reviews the history and theoretical justifications of copyright law, and the global conflicts and tensions in view of the technological revolution of the past decades. It also looks at copyright laws’ relevance in specific sectors, like education and access to knowledge, broadcasting and music, and the software industry. Finally, the course covers contemporary developments in the field, specifically how copyright laws apply to computer-generated experiences and creations, such as virtual, augmented reality and AI technologies.. TRADEMARK LAW. Trademark Law is the third large pillar of Intellectual Property Law. This course focuses on trademark registration and the enforcement of the exclusive rights that trademark law affords. The course reviews the laws of a number of jurisdictions: the Spanish system, the route and requirements to acquire an EU trademark from the European Intellectual Property Organization (EUIPO), and the international system with particular emphasis on the Madrid System and Union, and the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks. In addition, the course provides an overview of trademark law in the US introducing the Lanham Act and focusing on trademark infringement and rules, and precedence against false advertising and unfair competition. Additionally, the course explores issues particularly related with online activities and e-commerce, including the relationship between trademark registration and domain names. Finally, this course will cover geographical indications and the main methods of protection.. CYBERSECURITY. Demand for cybersecurity is on the rise as the world becomes more connected and individuals, businesses and governments rely more on digital systems that are inherently vulnerable. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the current global cybersecurity challenges. It introduces cybersecurity as a global risk, and focuses on challenges related to public and private law aspects of cyber regulation, at a national, regional (supranational) and international level. The course introduces cybercrime, and focuses on a variety of topics, including industry standards and principles of cybersecurity, the relationship between cybersecurity,and data protection, national security plans, surveillance, fake news and deep fakes, cyber-terrorism and the dark web. Finally, the course covers war and military organization in cyberspace, focusing on famous cases of cyber-operations and attacks, the notion of cyber-defense in international law, and on the Tallinn Manual and international cooperation. Students will investigate the global fight against cybercrime and surveys the laws, institutions and international cooperation in this field. It focuses on the EU and explores the recent eIDAS regulatory framework promoting trust services and electronic identification, as well as the role of Europol and the European Cybercrime Centre. Additionally, the course examines the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in the US, and takes note of the transatlantic cooperation in this field.
3rd Period. APR. – JUN.. ELECTIVES. During the electives period you will have the opportunity to tailor your learning journey to suit your specific interests and career goals. You can choose from over 60 electives ranging from diverse topics either related to your specialization or for you to explore complementary disciplines. Some of the areas you can choose your electives from are Business Law, Well-being & Skills, Digital Law, Business Management, Dispute Resolution, Taxation, European Studies and Sustainability. From this comprehensive range, you can craft a truly enriching and personalized educational experience. *Note: Classes will only be taught if the number of enrolled students meets the subject’s requirements . FINAL PROJECT. Depending on their specialization, students will develop a hands-on project with the collaboration of a company or institution (capstone), a research project (thesis), or a Moot Court competition (https://www.ie.edu/law-school/knowledge-exchange/moot-court-competitions/), all of which they will have to defend during the final period of the program. With the hands-on Capstone project, students will be able to work in the simulation of an M&A deal, under the expert guidance of practicing lawyers from prestigious firms such as EY and Herbert Smith Freehills, among many others. The defense of this final project will be through a presentation. The research project final thesis serves as a key step, enabling students to delve into a specific legal topic with originality, independence, and precision. This experience entails the creation of a comprehensive paper to showcase students’ analytical prowess and make significant contributions to the legal field. This final project will have an oral defense. An additional option for the final project is the participation in a Moot Court Competition. These simulated legal exercises allow students to present oral arguments and written briefs on hypothetical cases before a panel of judges. They offer invaluable experience in legal analysis, public speaking, and courtroom procedures, helping students sharpen their advocacy skills in a realistic and competitive environment.
Add Ons. You can further enrich your studies through a wealth of add-on experiences such as training, workshops, and certificates. You also have the option to complete a semester abroad at one of our partner universities around the globe after your third and final semester in Madrid. These additional experiences add invaluable practical know-how in areas that interest you specifically.. CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Since the beginning of your program you will have access to personalized advising sessions, learning resources and development tools to support your career journey guided by our Talent & Careers team . Whether it is to fine-tune your resume, master the art of networking, or sharpen your interview techniques, you will have the perfect opportunity to brush up on essential skills and develop the confidence to succeed.. CERTIFICATE IN SUSTAINABILITY. IE University’s Certificate on Foundations of Sustainability is an optional program you can use to complement your master’s degree and showcase your individual commitment to incorporating sustainability into your professional work. The Certificate takes a dynamic, holistic approach that will shape your thinking and give you the highly in-demand skills to address today’s most pressing challenges. The program will provide you with a highly sought-after set of skills and knowledge that are required to tackle the challenges our institutions, corporations and societies are facing today.. CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. The Master of Laws (LL.M.) is committed in helping you get a well-rounded profile and become the lawyer you want to be. The development of complementary business skills and knowledge is key to achieve this, hence the program also includes the optional Certificate in Foundations of Business Management, issued by IE Business School .
