So you've been thinking about doing an LL.M, but why?
For most of us, an LL.M. comes after years of law school(s). Some are already qualified lawyers in their home country. So when is an LL.M right for you? Here are 7 reasons why an LL.M. might be right for you.
1. You want to specialize
By definition, an LL.M. is an advanced degree program to gain specialized legal training in a field of law, such as arbitration or tax law. While your Bachelor of Law or your undergrad degree gave you a taste of various legal fields, an LL.M. must be relevant to the career you want to have, enabling you to advance to a new level.
In many fields, like tax, getting an LL.M is common part of a lawyer’s training.
There are a lot of specialized fields of law that aren’t a focus during a J.D. program or a Bachelor of Law. So, at a time of fierce competition in the legal profession, having a specialization makes all the difference.
curriculum Make sure to understand the program you are interested in: in the U.S. new standards for LL.M. programs might force students to follow a bar-oriented courses path rather than working toward a chosen concentration like corporate finance or intellectual property.
That can affect one of the main reasons for doing an LL.M, so make sure to ask the law schools about their program structures and courses offered.
2. You want to sit a U.S. Bar Exam
One of the biggest reasons people pursue an LL.M – this is might be attractive if you’re looking to get new skills while also seeking employment in a new jurisdiction.
Passing an U.S. state bar is considered an honor for many foreign lawyers, regardless of whether they intend to stay or return home. This is especially relevant for students interested in international business law or similar topics.
Passing the Bar Exam shows a deep understanding of the U.S. legal system and for your employer back home, especially in a civil law country, this can only help when dealing with international and US-based clients.
The U.S. Bar Exam demonstrates an advanced level of English, an understanding of the U.S. Legal System, and a double culture[d] if you passed the Bar at home.
Either way, remember that you can combine taking the bar exam in a new jurisdiction with an LL.M. while also getting a specialization and better preparing for the opportunities to come.
3. Upgrade your resume
Consider this for a minute: first of all, brand names still get people’s attention. So if your first law school does not make your resume pop, adding a second (more known) name might help. Although it shouldn’t drive your decision, upgrading your resume does show ambition and a new career trajectory.
Secondly, there are other reasons to upgrade your resume: perhaps you have significant gaps on your CV or you didn’t get awards/grades during your undergraduate degree. Then, an LL.M. from a top university might be one way of improving your resume and opening new opportunities.
Remember that an LL.M. is a significant investment. While you might get scholarships, think about whether that extra name will fulfill your expectations.
4. Get an international experience
Whether you wish to prepare for an international career, or whether you simply want to be part of a global community, an LL.M. will definitely give you an international experience.
Think about it, with an LL.M. you could choose Washington D.C. and get a taste of the policymaking action, or you could pick New York and attend events at the United Nations.
The International community is not that big, and the connections you will make, in addition to understanding the legal relationships at an international level, will definitely be valuable in every legal sector.
5. You aspire to be an academic
An LL.M could also represent a great opportunity to get into a PhD and post-doctoral research positions.
Some LL.M. programs are more academic than others. You could join a research-oriented program and come out with a publishable article or research.
Published articles are always good on a lawyer’s resume, but they are also a gateway into a Ph.D. program, which can eventually lead to teaching opportunities.
6. You want to get a job
Let’s be honest: most law firms still don’t care much about the LL.M. But others do! Being an LL.M. graduate is a new way for job hunters to stand out, especially at a time of fierce competition on the job market.
Another point: during your LL.M. program you might be able to do an internship in your host country, which will be a great asset on your resume.
Then finally, there’s networking. Networking is a useful skill and is very important in our current globalized environment. With your LL.M., you will have access to your professors, fellow students, alumni, and other professionals: this will help you not only with your experience, but also with your career prospects.
7. Continue your legal development
Originally, an LL.M. was a program paid by a law firm or an institution, to provide more training to their employees. Law is an ever-changing discipline, and it’s essential to keep your abilities and facts up-to-date.
Whether you wish to change your career trajectory, or evolve within your firm, an LL.M. is always a good option.
In the end, you might just arrive at a point in your career where you feel you need change. An LL.M., therefore, is a great way to continue your legal education and get back to school, and the reward might just be as great as the experience itself.
To sum up, make sure that you want an LL.M for the right reasons; it is an investment and should be well thought.
