LLM GUIDE Blogs > George Washington's LLM in International Law > REFLECTIONS: One year after completing my LL.M
REFLECTIONS: One year after completing my LL.M
By droit.est.philosophie in George Washington's LLM in International Law on May 9, 2008
Dear Readers,ONE YEAR LATER I have been emailed by so many blog-readers lately that I am inspired to add one more post. I will begin this post by attempting to answer the one question that more readers have asked me than any other: "was it worth it?" Then I will turn to the second most-asked question: "what have you been doing since you graduated?"Was the LL.M. worth it?Yes, in every possible way- it was worth it for me. Not only did I attain an advanced degree from one of the finest law schools in the world, write a thesis that is soon to be published, make connections and friends with people from all around the world, but the degree paid for itself in less than a year. I know it's hard to believe that the $50,000+ I took out in loans for the GW LL.M. paid itself off in less than a year, but its true thanks to the opportunities that the District of Columbia (Washington DC) has to offer for legal professionals.When trying to determine whether to do the LL.M. I kept thinking back to something one of my J.D. professors said. "Take the Risk!" was the exact phrase, I can't exactly remember the context of her saying the phrase but it has reverberated in my mind over and over in every opportunity that has presented itself since that time. I offer the same advice to anyone who stumbles on this post "Take the Risk!" What have I been doing since graduation? Well, immediately after graduation I began my bar review studies. The previous year I passed the NC bar so I already knew what I would have to do to pass the Virginia Bar Exam. I set a study schedule as follows, working Monday through Saturday with Sundays off:6:00am wake up; 6am-7am coffee and breakfast; 7am-12pm do practice Multistate questions; 12pm-2pm exercise; 2pm-3pm shower and break time; 3pm-6pm study for the essay portion; 6pm-8pm or so do research for my part-time jobWithin one week of taking the Virginia Bar Exam I was offered a temp-job at a large DC law firm doing primarily review for a huge international antitrust case. This temp job lasted almost eight months. It was grueling; I worked literally 70-80 hour work weeks, and even did one 100 hour work week. Amidst the blur that was these eight months, I remember in mid-October I found out that I passed the Virginia bar and was waived into the District of Columbia Bar (by my scores on NC bar from the previous year) but was too busy and making too much money to justify applying for jobs in Virginia at that time.Upon the completion of the above contract, I applied for jobs and started interviewing. I must have had over a fifteen interviews and a handful of offers over the coming months. While going through this extended interview process, I took on another temp-job at a different large DC firm. This one was regarding an acquisition of a telecommunications company and only lasted six weeks. It paid a little less and the hours were just as long, so I was quite happy for the short contract.After the acquisition contract ended, I took on one more contract (temp-job) with the first large DC firm I worked with. It was another antitrust case and lasted a couple of months. While employed there, I finally accepted a position as a part-time associate at a boutique Virginia law firm, and then a part-time attorney position also with a DC firm. At this point in time, I'm litigating in court in Virginia for the Virginia firm and doing research for the firm in DC simultaneously. Outside of work, I have been very active in the DC legal and trade community. I've been attending many section events, organization meetings in DC and VA, and networking events. By the way, having the LL.M. doesn't hurt for social networking either.All of this while trying to maintain a positive social and personal life. It's not easy, and I'm often working late into the night...
As always, any blog-readers out there, feel free to email me with any questions about GW. It may take some time, but I will respond to you.
Maybe I will post again next year...good luck with your journey...
droit
Comments
Hi Sangeetha
I realise your questions are to Droit but I could not help posting this response cause I am also an Indian lawyer currently in US.
First of all to practise in US you have to clear the Bar exam of whichever state you are based in or wherever you plan to settle down. Here you cannot practise in whole of the country with a law degree or by passing only one bar exam.
Now every state has different requirements regarding eligibility to sit for the bar exam. eg New York requires an LL.M from US of at least 20 creduts with at least 4/6 American law subjects. After that one can sit for New York bar and if you pass, then after a few other formalities(including passing MPRE)you could practise. However California does not require an LL.M if you have worked as a lawyer in India and if can get a Certificate of Good Standing from some court- preferable High Court or Supreme Court of India. Latest, I think California had amended some rules and a foreign law graduate can sit for the exam after his degrees are evaluated by some particular agencies.
Details can be found from the State Bar websites.
Good Luck
So amazing, Droit!!
I'm from Vietnam .. I just finished my undergrad school in Vietnam last year and am heading for an LLM in the US. Still making choice and trying to solve the biggest prob of mine: finance.
I admire your determination :)!
Btw: your name sounds like you're French .. is it right?
Leave a Comment
If you are already an LLM GUIDE member, please login.
Hi Droit,
I am law graduate from India,and am planning to take up LLM so that I can practise in US,because my law degree from India is not enough.So if you could kindly let me know if my foreign degree+LLM will enable me to practise in US would be great .because I've tried finding out this info from colleges,but I have not got an answer,I am just wasting time not knowing what to do,so please try to find this out for me and email me,
thank you
Sangeetha