Law

Meet Our Students

Students come from all over the world to work and study in Cincinnati Law's LLM program. LLM students take classes alongside JD students and enjoy access to all the law school has to offer—from renowned faculty thought-leaders, to unique institutes and clinics. Read on to learn more about the experiences our students have.

For the second time in a row, our LLM program was included on the honor roll for International Jurist's Best LLM Programs, recognizing the affordability of our program. Be sure to read the story in the latest issue of International Jurist.

An attorney with law degrees both in Europe and in the U.S. has an incredible competitive advantage in the context of multinational company work and/or international litigation.

Francesca Gottardi, LLM'18


The Law of Possibility: Mohammed Alharthi’s focused pursuit to a Corporate Legal Career

Mohammed Alharthi (LLM, ‘19) walked into his first day as an attorney brimming with excitement. It was August 2024, and the past two months had been a cascade of good news. Weeks after receiving a job offer from Saudi Airlines, Mohammed and his wife discovered they were also expecting their first child. It was perfect timing. The job offer meant they would be moving closer to their parents, soon-to-be grandparents.

One of Mohammed’s top career goals as an attorney was to one day be able to provide for a family. This opportunity seemed to come at just the right time. Then, just five days before his start date, their daughter Heba—whose name means “gift” in Arabic—arrived a month early. 

“I became an aviation legal counsel and a father at the same time—it was very exciting,” he shared. Today, Mohammed’s day-to-day at Saudi Airlines involves legal compliance, contracts, and corporate litigation. He credits courses like Contracts, Legal Writing, and Client Counseling at Cincinnati Law for equipping him with the necessary skills to be a successful attorney.

Mohammed Alharthi (LLM '19)

Mohammed Alharthi (LLM '19)

LLM alumna touts Cincinnati Law, University of Bordeaux partnership as exciting experience

Learning from remarkable professors, networking with established legal professionals, and meeting students from all over the world made Lorette Pouhet’s LLM experience at the University of Cincinnati College of Law an important career move—and was a year to remember.

The first student to attend UC Law from the University of Bordeaux, Pouhet (LLM ’24) highlighted her professional and personal growth gained as a result of participating in the LLM program. “The year at the law school was exciting; I learned a lot about law and about myself,” Pouhet said in a recent newsletter from the University of Bordeaux. The “expertise and dedication” of the faculty, attending federal court hearings, and participating in student organizations and events all enriched her experience.

David Nabei is a 2025 LLM graduate

(L to R): Lorette Pouhet, Valentina Paino, Raquel Molina, Lidwina Chieregato, and Luigi Guerini stand next to the William Howard Taft statue at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. /Joseph Fuqua II

Beyond Borders: David Nabei's Global Environmental Law Journey

In the tapestry of environmental consciousness and legal advocacy, the journey of David Naibei (LLM, ‘23) unfolds as a testament to the profound impact of early education on climate awareness.  

Born and raised in N’Djamena, the capital city of Chad, one of the hottest countries in the world, David witnessed firsthand the repercussions of escalating temperatures and a lack of government regulation. But it wasn’t until high school, during an environmental awareness workshop put on by the NGO Espaces Verts du Sahel, that he realized how the devastation he saw around him could be directly tied to climate change.

Fascinated by the far-reaching ramifications of climate change, after high school David dove headfirst into environmental law and business. Knowing that what was happening in his own country was a harbinger of what was to come across every nation, his academic pursuits went global.

David Nabei is a 2025 LLM graduate

David Nabei (LLM'25)

UC Law's LLM Program Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

As the UC Law LLM program approaches its 10th anniversary, stories of students tackling issues across the globe have become more and more widespread. Opening in 2013 with a mere five students in its first cohort, UC Law’s LLM Program has expanded worldwide, including students from over 50 different countries, among them 10 Fulbright scholars.

Group of LLM students surrounded by international flags

College of Law international students in the law school atrium

Valentina Embraces Change

“If you are not doing something that you love, you are not doing your best. I'm just trying to follow that path, where I am helping others and I'm happy,” says Valentina Mora.

Valentina Mora, LLM student

Valentina Mora, LLM student

LawCat Chat: My LLM Experience

LawCat Chat: Being Career Ready


The University of Cincinnati College of Law far exceeded my expectations. The LLM year at UC was the best opportunity that I’ve had in my life. It gave me all the chances after graduation to be part of the work that I wanted to be part of. 

With the help of Cincinnati Law's Career Services office, I was fortunate to be accepted for an externship during my second semester of my LLM year at the Cincinnati office of Squire Patton Boggs, a global law firm with offices in 20 countries across four continents. At Squire, I had the opportunity for the first time to work in an international law firm. My main goal in getting an LLM degree was to have an international CV, to gain experience in the practice of international law firm. This was really great because when I came back to Italy, I had the opportunity to do an internship at Clifford Chance Milan, a major international law firm with offices on five continents.

The internship at Clifford Chance was in “knowledge and information,” which gave me the opportunity to work in each department of the firm, meet a lot of people, and narrow my interests. In the end, this experience led me to specialize in white-collar crime, which was quite unexpected. I am now a member of the white-collar litigation team and have had opportunity to work with the Washington, D.C., office of Clifford Chance as well.

Everything that I have experienced was thanks to the fact that I did the LLM at UC Law. From a self-designed program of study and working with Professor Felix Chang on an antitrust research project in comparative law that formed the basis of my Italian dissertation to my externship at Squire and making lifelong friends, my Cincinnati Law LLM really opened every door for me and was a great opportunity personally and professionally. This is not only words—it’s the truth. When you’re young, it’s hard to leave your family and home country to go study in the U.S., but going to Cincinnati to get my LLM is the best choice I’ve made in my life.

Shadiah Obaidi, LLM ‘20

Associate, Clifford Chance, Milan, Italy

Former Extern, Squire Patton Boggs, Cincinnati, Ohio

LLM Student Stories

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Cincinnati Law: A home for Fulbrighters

November 11, 2021

This year, Cincinnati Law was proud to welcome two Fulbright students—Irina Zemkina, from Russia, and Julija Jurtoska, from North Macedonia—as part of its incoming class of LLM students, which includes 20 students from 10 countries.

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UC Law LLM Grad: Cecile Bonmarin

February 14, 2022

An interview with UC Law LLM graduate Cecile Bonmarin, who currently works as a personal injury attorney in Switzerland.

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International Jurist highlights UC Law’s LLM Program

August 17, 2021

Cincinnati Law's LLM program was named to the International Jurist's honor roll for value and law school experience in the publication's recently released Best LLMs Programs Issue. Cincinnati Law was one of the few schools to earn distinction in more than one category.

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UC Law LLM Grad: María Paulina Otero

August 27, 2021

María Paulina Otero graduated from Cincinnati Law’s LLM program in 2020. As a dual-degree student, she earned both her LLM from UC and LLB from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Today, she’s a junior associate at Brigard & Urrutia Law Firm in Bogotá, Colombia.

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LLM student expands her horizons and IP focus at UC Law

November 5, 2020

In her home country of Nigeria, Vanessa Ojo-Igbinoba chose to study law because she found a passion for helping people. In the United States, she chose to continue her studies at the University of Cincinnati College of Law because it would expand her opportunities for learning and gaining experience.

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UC Law student aims to raise awareness of human rights in Middle...

November 4, 2020

Before attending the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Nawfal Ali Aljabali had already worked to fight for human rights in the Middle East. Finding the work fulfilling, he knew he wanted to continue in this area. Aljabali chose to continue his education at UC Law so he could do more with his law degree, both in the United States and back home in Yemen.

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Cincinnati Law welcomes the world

May 17, 2019

The University of Cincinnati College of Law has fewer than 400 students, but some travel thousands of miles around the globe to enroll.

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Education in Action - Summer Experiences


Dual Degree: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana


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