From Across the Globe to UH Law Center: New LL.M. Students Begin Their Graduate Journey 
Members of the incoming class of UH Law LL.M students from around the world take a moment during the 2026 Orientation to take a photo outside of the John M. O’Quinn Law Building. Far right (wearing a red jacket) is Karen Jones, executive director of Global and Graduate Programs, showing her Coog pride.
Sept. 4, 2026 – This fall, about 50 lawyers and other professionals, representing 23 countries and speaking multiple languages, arrived at the University of Houston Law Center to pursue their LL.M. degrees.
The Law Center's LL.M. programs attract lawyers seeking advanced training in specialty fields, including energy, health, intellectual property, international, and tax law, as well as U.S. law for foreign-trained attorneys. The programs draw students from around the world to Houston, one of the nation's most cosmopolitan cities.
They traveled in from Brazil, Colombia, France, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Venezuela and other international locations. Some came from other states, while others drove in from neighborhoods in the Greater Houston area.
But during UH Law’s two-day LL.M. orientation in August, the conversation centered on a different language altogether.
“The beauty about learning law in a different country is that law is a language,” said UH Law Dean Leonard M. Baynes at the Welcome Dinner for the graduate students. “It creates a community.”
For Baynes, the study of law is more than just mastering statutes and legal doctrine. It is a way of understanding different people and the world.
“When you can speak the legal language of each other's country, it helps us understand each other better... all through the study of law,” he said.
For many, the journey to Houston meant leaving behind established careers, family and friends.
“Our LL.M. students sacrifice a great deal to be here,” said Karen Jones, executive director of Global and Graduate Programs. “We recognize what it takes for them to embark on this LL.M. journey, and we are here to support them every step of the way.”
The orientation activities included a breakout mentoring session, overviews of expectations and resources available at UH and UHLC, and insights from an alumni panel featuring Cindy Peters (LL.M. ’23), counsel at FBFK Law; Stanislav Karbovskyi (LL.M. ’25), administrative assistant with the Harris County Attorney’s Office; Jose Pablo “JP” Martinez (LL.M. ’24); and Cristian Moises Zarco Gonzalez (LL.M. ’25), an energy tax attorney at EY.
As students embark on a year of rigorous study and get settled into new routines and communities, Baynes encouraged them to stay the course.
“When you stretch yourself beyond what you think you can do... that's when you develop,” Baynes said. “Enjoy your time here and learn from it.”
