ASU Law Talks
How can legal education create immediate impact in your current career?
Joey Dormady
Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs and New Education Initiatives
Joey Dormady leads ASU Law’s growing portfolio of master’s degree programs and is passionate about creating accessible, high-quality legal education for students from all backgrounds.
One of the biggest misconceptions about law school is that return on investment only appears years after graduation. For many working professionals, that timeline simply does not align with practical career goals. The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) at ASU Law is designed for people who want legal knowledge they can use right away while also supporting long-term career growth.
How does a legal master’s degree apply in real workplaces?
From the first course, MLS students learn how to think legally, spot risk, interpret rules and communicate more effectively with attorneys and decision-makers. That combination of immediate application and strategic value is what drives return on investment.
- In our Law and Sustainability emphasis, professionals learn how environmental compliance, water law and regulatory frameworks shape business decisions. Graduates step into meetings understanding permitting requirements, climate regulations and corporate governance obligations that affect operations.
- In our Land Use and Property Development Law emphasis, students gain legal insight into zoning, development approvals and real estate transactions. Urban planners, developers and public officials use this knowledge to guide projects through complex regulatory processes without missteps.
- For those interested in negotiation and dispute management, the Conflict Resolution emphasis develops mediation and arbitration skills grounded in legal reasoning. These tools are used daily in HR departments, executive leadership and public service roles.
- In our Tribal Self-Governance and Indian Gaming emphasis, professionals gain concentrated expertise in federal Indian law and tribal governance frameworks. That knowledge directly supports tribal leadership, government roles and policy work across Indian Country.
What kind of return on investment can professionals expect?
ASU Law is ranked among the top 10 law schools in the U.S. for return on investment by 2026 LawCrossing rankings. That ranking reflects a broader reality about legal education:
High ROI does not depend on the most expensive or exclusive institutions.
Public law schools like ASU Law consistently outperform higher-tuition private schools when cost, debt and employment outcomes are considered. Our MLS students are not stepping away from income for three years. They are continuing to earn while gaining specialized legal expertise. Many report promotions, expanded leadership roles and measurable salary growth as a result.
- Joshua Masters (MLS, 2019) shared that his salary tripled after completing the program.
- Heather Ashworth (MLS, 2023) emphasized the flexibility that allowed her to continue working while pursuing her degree.
- Marten Humphrey (MLS), a current student in Corporate and Health Care Compliance, is already applying course concepts directly to his work in health care administration.
That is practical ROI — knowledge applied in real time.
Why choose ASU Law for a legal master’s degree?
ASU Law is an ABA-accredited law school with a national reputation for innovation. Our MLS students learn from the same faculty who teach in our JD program. They gain exposure to rigorous legal analysis while remaining grounded in their professional goals.
We measure ourselves by the impact our graduates make in their industries and communities. Whether you work in sustainability, compliance, real estate, tribal governance or executive leadership, legal fluency is a competitive advantage.
If you want to elevate your role without leaving your career, a legal master’s degree may be the most direct path forward.