There are countless law school rankings out there, and we cover just about every single one of them here at Above the Law. But what about rankings for LL.M. programs, advanced degrees that allow law school graduates to sharpen their skills, specialize in a particular practice area, or add an impressive new credential to their resumes?
Thankfully, the National Jurist has once again released its LL.M. ranking, which refers to its list as an “honor roll,” perhaps to sate lawyers’ desire to make the grade and come out on top. The new ranking recognizes law schools with standout programs across a wide range of specialties.
Before we examine the schools that made the grade, let’s take a look at the methodology. Programs were evaluated based on academics, career opportunities, practical training, and student offerings. Here’s how the National Jurist broke things down:
Beyond Recall And Precision: Strategic Oversight Of AI Managed Review
AI can accelerate document review, but metrics alone aren't enough. Learn how Managing Attorney oversight turns AI-driven review into a more adaptive, strategic and defensible process.
For academics, we look at the number of courses offered (15%), and the number of professors (15%). Career opportunities consist of networking opportunities (8%), recruitment programs (8%), and whether there is a dedicated career counselor (14%). Practical training includes whether there is a live client guarantee (7%), externships opportunity (4%), and simulation courses offered (4%). Student offerings include journal participation (4%), moot court participation (4%) and student group options (7%). We reserve (10%) for other.
This year’s honor roll includes programs in business, criminal law, entertainment law, environmental law, health law, human rights, intellectual property, international law, technology law, and more. UCLA Law was the honor roll’s biggest overachiever, appearing across 16 specialty categories, far more than any other law school.
Once again, we’d like to concentrate on taxation, arguably the most useful postgraduate degree a lawyer can pursue. So, which law schools made the honor roll for their tax LL.M. programs this year?
- Georgetown University Law Center: Taxation
- UCLA Law: Business Law – Taxation Track
- University of Houston Law Center: Tax Law
PI Firms Don’t Need More Tools. They Need Fewer.
Every new tool a PI firm buys solves one problem and connects nothing. The real fix isn't another purchase — it's keeping the whole case in one place, from accident to resolution. Here's how.
That’s it. Just three schools landed on the podium for tax law.
This is quite a change from the National Jurist’s 2023 honor roll, which recognized tax programs at Boston University, LMU Loyola, Northwestern, UCLA, the University of Florida, the University of Houston, and Wayne State. Georgetown, long regarded as one of the best tax law schools in the country, was conspicuously absent from that list. It has finally received its due.
Beyond tax, several schools made repeated appearances across the honor roll. Arizona State University earned recognition for programs in business law, entrepreneurship, criminal law, health law, science and technology law, and general studies. The University of Texas was honored for programs in business law, environmental and energy law, human rights, international law, cybersecurity, and general studies. LMU Loyola, Georgetown, Houston, and Miami also placed for programs in multiple specialty categories.
As LL.M. offerings continue to expand, law schools are increasingly emphasizing flexibility, practical experience, and subjects that reflect the modern legal marketplace. Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, technology, sustainability, and international business are no longer niche interests. They are rapidly becoming essential parts of legal practice, and law schools are responding accordingly.
Click here to see all of the LL.M. programs that made the National Jurist’s 2026 honor roll, and congratulations to every law school that made the cut.
LL.M. Honor Roll: Law schools are expanding LL.M. offerings [National Jurist]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.