As technology continues to reshape our culture and economy, businesses are facing an increasing demand for specialized lawyers who grasp both the commercial and legal dimensions of technology. Lawyers equipped with a thorough understanding of the tech industry are becoming vital, particularly those who can navigate the chimera of bringing new products and companies to the market.
This call has been answered by Cornell Tech’s Master of Laws (LLM) in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, an unprecedented degree program that endeavors to cultivate business and leadership skills tailored to the requirements of tech and tech-intensive industries. From joining a heavyweight law firm to spearheading your own start-up, the LLM program equips trainees with the necessary business, legal, and technological knowledge to succeed.
One of the program’s many success stories, Cornell Tech LLM alumnus John DeFelice, attributes his foray into entrepreneurship to the diversity of perspectives the program offered him. DeFelice, co-founder of Meili Tech, recalls his decision to join the Cornell Tech LLM as a means to cement his ambition of establishing a tech start-up, and formalize his legal and venture training.
Daswell Davis, another Cornell Tech LLM graduate, emphasizes the program’s real-world usefulness. Serving as Senior Corporate Counsel at Akoya, Davis highlights how the program’s interdisciplinary, tech-focused learning environment directly impacts his ability to provide strategic legal guidance to the fintech company.
Indeed, the program promises much more than classroom instruction; it opens up opportunities for networking and widening career prospects. The career outcomes of the LLM program are impressive, with nearly 100% of respondents that sought employment securing jobs related to their Cornell Tech experience within nine months of graduating. Davis and DeFelice are just two examples of many success stories borne from the program.
Located in the heart of New York City, Cornell Tech’s location benefits its LLM students by situating them within minutes of some of the world’s best lawyers and events. Moreover, they are exposed to esteemed faculty and guest lecturers from nearby law firms and corporations.
The year-long LLM program encourages students to delve into legal studies and transactional skills needed for emerging companies to thrive in the nuanced digital economy. Applications are open to practicing attorneys and recent law grads, regardless of geographical boundaries, with an interest in technology.
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