LLM Discussion Board

[Edited 01 Mar 2007 by ivan2006]

I would say that you should stick to the top 3 schools in the US: NYU (best in the US and great reputation overseas), Florida (great faculty but not so known overseas) or Georgetown (good program - although not as good as NYU or Florida -, and great reputation overseas). Since for international students reputation abroad is a sensitive matter, I would say that I would pick 1) NYU, 2) Georgetown, 3) Florida. By specializing in taxation at HLS, you will have the privilege of being a Harvard alumnus, but should also face the fact that you may not be as sharp in US tax as you could be if you attended any of the top 3 schools.

In the US, UF´s Tax LLM is quite prestigious - but overseas, it is not a well-known university. So you may find out that in interviews with non-US employers, you have to explain that UF is #2, etc. I will tell you a personal story: some years ago, I met a UF graduate in Europe. I did not know too much about the Tax LLMs in the US at that time, and when he told me that he studied at UF (adding immediately that it was #2 in the US), I remember I thought whether it was true or not... Now I would never think this way, as I know they have a great program. But the bottom-line is: in Europe or South America (just to mention regions I know better), maybe the tax practitioners that studied in the US know that UF has a fine LLM, but not everybody knows that.

[Edited 12 Mar 2007 by pancake]

The big differences between a big 4 and big law firms are prestige and salary (let´s say that while big law firms in NY offer 160K a year, big 4 offers 90K; if you have prior experience and you negotiate well, you may raise this up to 100K). However, if you have no prior experience in taxation, Big 4 can be a great school (I began my career at a Big4 myself). And regarding the money, 90K is ok, you can live with that here in NY. So I think a Big4 is also a very good option.
It is important to know that not everybody has a chance to receive offers big law firms: only the students with top grades will have a decent chance.

The big differences between a big 4 and big law firms are prestige and salary (let´s say that while big law firms in NY offer 160K a year, big 4 offers 90K; if you have prior experience and you negotiate well, you may raise this up to 100K). However, if you have no prior experience in taxation, Big 4 can be a great school (I began my career at a Big4 myself). And regarding the money, 90K is ok, you can live with that here in NY. So I think a Big4 is also a very good option.
It is important to know that not everybody has a chance to receive offers big law firms: only the students with top grades will have a decent chance.

Ivan, you are very imformative! You mentioned about the work experience in Taxation, do you specificly mean experience in Big Four in home countries? Will piror Big 4 taxation experience be a definite plus of getting in Big 4 again after LLM? Thanks!

Yes. If you have a background in Big4 in your home country, it would definitely be an advantage if you want to land a job at a Big4 here in the US. At the end of the day, you will know their culture and they will think you have the right fit there. If you come from a Big 4, you will know what I mean... On the other hand, the transition between Big 4 and a law firm could be more complicated.

I got it. As I know, quite a few people would go to the MBA program instead of LLM taxation after they work a few years in the Big 4. What will be the different between their graduates in terms of landing a job in the US after study? Will good employers like big 4 have preference between them? Thanks

Taxation is decent enough for me. But my point was: if a lawyer pursues an MBA, it is because he/she wants a career change - most of the times, they want jobs not related with law. If a lawyer wants to stick to tax law, he/ she will probably pursue an LLM, not an MBA. There may be exceptions, of course (in some countries, some lower-tier schools offer MBAs of various specialties), but I do not think that an MBA will do you any good if you want a career in tax.

Ok. Let´s build 3 different scenarios: a) you have big4 experience in your home country; b) you have law firm experience in your home country; c) you have no experience in your home country.

If you are in a), you may land a job in a Big4 in the US after the LLM if your grades are decent (an average above B). You will only be able to land a job in a big law firm in the US if your grades are high (i.e. above B+). And if you want to return to your home country, you will be able to land jobs either in Big 4s and law firms.

If you are in b), same applies - except that you may secure a temporary position in an American big law firm even if your grades are not top grades. At the end of the day, law firms here are interested in making contacts with lawyers from different jurisdictions to whom they can refer/ receive work in the futute.

C)´s case is similar to a)´s, although in this case, decent grades are a must.

In summary, where international Tax LLMs are likely to work after graduation depends on 1) grades; 2) background. But grades are essential.