tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post115388103692240915..comments2023-10-25T00:54:05.329-07:00Comments on Law Career Blog: LLMs Part 3Gregory W. Bowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12793221328956712830noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post-24298026898853279942009-03-15T14:52:00.000-07:002009-03-15T14:52:00.000-07:00What about the LLM in Admiralty at Tulane? Do you...What about the LLM in Admiralty at Tulane? Do you have any thoughts on this program, employment and practicality?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post-37686425539700323142007-06-24T20:13:00.000-07:002007-06-24T20:13:00.000-07:00Sofia, thanks for your question, and apologies for...Sofia, thanks for your question, and apologies for not responding sooner. Were I in your shoes, I would take some US IP law classes during your LLM course of study, and also take business law courses as well, including corporations/business associations and one or more securities regulation courses. I'd also consider taking US Administrative Law, since it is so prevalent in all facets of US law practice.<BR/><BR/>This approach will give you a better background in US business-related law. That of course is useful for your marketability, but it also will be useful for working with and talking with US-based clients, IP-focused or not.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with the LLM at Penn, and thanks for reading!Gregory W. Bowmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793221328956712830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post-18230680921114389492007-06-10T19:12:00.000-07:002007-06-10T19:12:00.000-07:00Hi. I have also found your post extremely helpful....Hi. I have also found your post extremely helpful. I will be starting an LLM at Penn this year. I am deciding which courses to take. I want to work in the US after the LLM. I have a strong background in IP in Colombia (South America) and wonder if the LLM should be focused only in IP. I would like to practice IP in the US but also Corporate law. If I choose subjects regarding IP and Corporate law would I have more chances of getting a job in the US? <BR/>Thanks for your advice.<BR/>Regards,<BR/>SORAUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17386645306521367387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post-1156744277933434222006-08-27T22:51:00.000-07:002006-08-27T22:51:00.000-07:00Leroy--Good questions. I'm glad you've found the ...Leroy--<BR/><BR/>Good questions. I'm glad you've found the posts helpful; my apologies for my delay in responding.<BR/><BR/>An MBA can be a great option. In many cases, an MBA might be as helpful, or even more helpful, than an LLM--for example, if you intend to practice corporate law. It can help you understand your clients' activities better, and also give you the vocabulary and educational background to more easily connect with clients. Clients who like you and bond with you are clients who are more likely to pay, and that is very important.<BR/><BR/>By contrast, if you are wanting to specialize in a particular area of law, such as international trade, or IP, or health care law, an LLM with a clear focus on that subject matter might be better. That being said, some LLM programs are pretty open-ended, and amount to taking a year's worth of electives. So do your homework when deciding what degree to pursue.<BR/><BR/>As for regional versus national, my general view is that national is better, especially when the LLM is not clearly subject-specific. An LLM of that type from Harvard is generally far more valuable than its counterpart at a regional school. But an LLM from a regional school with a clear focus might be very good, depending on the school. Vermont, for example, is a national leader in environmental law, so an environmental law LLM from there is good. Also, in some cases a regional LLM might carry significant weight in that regional market (but less elsewhere)--so if you plan on staying in that market, it might make sense to stay regional with your LLM. <BR/><BR/>But all in all, names and pedigrees do count. We might not like that (or we might), but those are the current rules of the game.Gregory W. Bowmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793221328956712830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post-1156167277683964092006-08-21T06:34:00.000-07:002006-08-21T06:34:00.000-07:00Not sure whether this comment will be stale, given...Not sure whether this comment will be stale, given the date of the original posting, but I found your site to be incredibly helpful and your LL.M. posts extremely useful as I debate whether to undertake an LL.M. study. Although you touched upon other degrees - say an MA, etc., you did not discuss MBAs. How valuable are these, in general (I know you hate generalizations!), to a law firm/government versus, say, an LL.M.?<BR/><BR/>And how valuable is an LL.M. from a regional school, like a University of Denver or UMKC school with a regional degrees? As opposed to a regional JD with a national LL.M.? No question a national LL.M. would be better, but how much would it really matter?<BR/><BR/>I know these questions are vague and opaque but I think your comments would be very helpful.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post-1154116487034692192006-07-28T12:54:00.000-07:002006-07-28T12:54:00.000-07:00Knee bone--Glad you've found the posts helpful. T...Knee bone--Glad you've found the posts helpful. That's what the blog is all about. Thanks for reading, and good luck in law school. GregGregory W. Bowmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793221328956712830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post-1153951248219045022006-07-26T15:00:00.000-07:002006-07-26T15:00:00.000-07:00Your reply is an excellent example of why general ...Your reply is an excellent example of why general advice does not always fit specific examples. As the saying goes, "All generalizations are bad!" (That's one of my favorite sayings.)<BR/><BR/>I said in my post that I was ready to be convinced otherwise, and I am pleased to say that you present a compelling case for pursuing a foreign LLM instead of a US LLM. Cost is a huge factor. In fact, my MA in the UK cost less--including travel--than my first year of law school in the US. And I paid foreign student rates, which were not cheap. Sad but true. In your case, the cost differential is absolutely huge.<BR/><BR/>Second, being a dual citizen lends credence to a decision to pursue a foreign LLM in that country. In fact, if you intend to pursue, say, a career as a corporate lawyer with a focus on US-EU deals, the foreign LLM from an EU country is a nice fit. What you then have is a clear strategy and goal in mind, and formal legal training in 2 jurisdictions.<BR/><BR/>Finally, if you are really thinking about working in Europe, then definitely do pursue the foreign LLM in your particular case. I am not as familiar with US JD holders getting training in foreign jurisdictions and how advantageous that may be; the typical model is for foreign law degree holders to come to the US and obtain a US LLM, which helps them in the US market and also at home (since US law is such a large force in international business). That being said, however, I would expect that having (1) a US JD, plus (2) a foreign LLM in the relevant market, plus (3) legitimate reasons for returning to that market (which you have) is a very good package.<BR/><BR/>Plus, as you say, it is a relatively low-risk investment. And even if it does not pay off, you have had a fun year!<BR/><BR/>So thanks for sharing more information and getting me to switch sides with respect to your particular case. It is probably obvious from the tone of my comments that I much prefer giving this advice to saying "No, don't study abroad." I still stand by that broader advice as a general matter, but happily there will be a lot of exceptions to that general rule. Again, all generalizations are bad.Gregory W. Bowmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793221328956712830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18502518.post-1153932519342184532006-07-26T09:48:00.000-07:002006-07-26T09:48:00.000-07:00Thanks for the response to my original comment. A...Thanks for the response to my original comment. <BR/><BR/>As you noted in your response, your choice of foreign MA in International Economics was a great fit for you. I wanted to keep my inquiries as general as possible, but I think I should probably explain why I think the foreign LLM is a natural fit for me.<BR/><BR/>1. I am a dual citizen (Netherlands/U.S.).<BR/>2. Interested in working in the E.U. (no issues with employment visas as an E.U. citizen)<BR/>3. Tuition can be much cheaper (and even cheaper for E.U. citizens). <BR/>4. Parents are in Holland.<BR/><BR/>Generally, I think that tuition is a consideration for some people in addition to the overall “studying abroad” experience.<BR/><BR/>I don’t know whether I will find work as a J.D. with an LLM from the Netherlands in the E.U. I have been given some conflicting feedback about the job prospects. Given your experience at Baker & McKenzie, any thoughts on job prospects for J.D’.s with/without foreign LLMs<BR/>in Europe? <BR/><BR/>Coming back to the U.S. after obtaining the degree is a definite possibility.<BR/><BR/>I understand the drawbacks of obtaining the foreign LLM. but I have not specifically compared U.S. and foreign curricula with respect to trade law programs. My feeling is that the name and reputation of the educational institution outweigh all other factors. Even with these drawbacks in mind, I am leaning towards the foreign LLM because of the reasons stated above. As an E.U. citizen, the LLM degree will cost me less than $2000 at the University of Amsterdam. I understand that it will be more beneficial to obtain the LLM from a Georgetown or NYU, when my ultimate objective is to switch my practice field in the U.S. But for the price, I think it’s a low-risk investment for me…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com