Dr. Thomas Belknap

Instructor

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Biography

Thomas H. Belknap Jr. is an Adjunct Professor at New York University School of Law, where he teaches courses focused on admiralty law. His course covers topics such as the legal consequences of maritime disasters, including historical events like the sinking of the Titanic and modern incidents such as the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon oil spills. He explores substantive areas of law related to personal injury, shipping charters, bills of lading, and marine insurance. Through class discussions and real case scenarios, Belknap challenges students to apply theoretical legal concepts to practical situations within admiralty law.

Research Interests

Courses

Admiralty

Requirements for New York University School of Law

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
IELTS
Listening
Required:7.5
Reading
Required:7.5
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) from an ABA-approved school or a foreign equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Official Transcripts
  • Class Rank Statement
  • Recommendation Letter(s)
  • English Proficiency Test Score (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

The Master of Laws (LLM) is a general degree. Applicants from the 'Department of Law' typically enroll in the general LLM or one of the specialized LLM programs.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Official Transcripts
  • Recommendation Letter
Specialization Notes

Corresponds to the LLM in Competition, Innovation and Information Law specialization.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
Specialization Notes

Focuses on Criminal Justice within the general LLM or related elective concentrations.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation
Specialization Notes

Corresponds to the LLM in Corporation Law specialization.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation
Specialization Notes

Corresponds to the LLM in International Legal Studies specialization.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
Specialization Notes

Corresponds to the LLM in Legal Theory specialization, emphasizing law and philosophy.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation
Specialization Notes

Corresponds to the LLM in Taxation (for JD holders) or International Taxation (for foreign-trained lawyers).

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Baccalaureate degree plus Master's in accounting/business or JD/LLB.
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official Transcripts
  • Resume
  • CPA Certificate (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Encompasses Master of Studies in Law (MSL) in Taxation and LLM in Taxation.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
Specialization Notes

Includes courses in Cities & Land Use and Property Law.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
Specialization Notes

Clinical law is a major component of the curriculum with numerous specialized clinics.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) or equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
Specialization Notes

Corresponds to the Area of Study in Regulation & Public Policy.

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
LLM degree from NYU or another high-ranking US law school.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Sample Research Paper
  • Proposal of Study
  • Resume
  • Official Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation
Specialization Notes

The JSD (Doctor of Juridical Science) is the most advanced degree, requiring a dissertation.