http://www.llm-guide.com/board/73321 en LLM vs. JD for Foreign Student? - LLM GUIDE Discussion Board Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:24:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/73321/last#73321 Hello, I have a question regarding a friend of mine who studied law in Russia. He is interested in studying International Law and I am not sure which direction to lead him, since he's already received a law degree I assumed that his best option would be to pursue an LLM in International Law. But after doing some simple research I am not sure if that is an option for him. All the LLM programs for students who studied law in foreign countries, keep leading me to LLM's that are focused on American Law. Does any school in the USA (preferably NYC area) offer a LLM in International Law that a foreign law student can apply to? And will he be able to practice afterward? Or would he just need to take the LSAT and apply to a JD program? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:40:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/73321/last#73322 Realistically, if his intention is to practise law in the states, don't bother with the LLM. The LLM has a reputation as a "foreign degree" and is not really considered relevant by the law firms in their hiring decisions. If he wants to go back to his own country or work for an international organization elsewhere, then there are some good international law LLMs offered by US schools. Try the one offered by NYU or the Fletcher School of diplomacy. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:00:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/73321/last#73324 JD: 3 years + up to $200k LL.M: 1 year + up to $70k 2 extra years spent on the JD means you also have to take into account an opportunity cost equal to whatever money he'd make in 2 years minus cost of life for two years. JD: if he wants to immigrate in the US and become an american lawyer and/or if he absolutely wants to live and work in the US for at least the next 10 years. LL.M: if he's fine not necessarily working in the US after he graduates. NYC: Columbia, NYU, and Fordham Outside NYC, Harvard and Georgetown are particularly strong in international law (but in practice any T14 is fine). At Columbia for example, you can tailor your curriculum so as not to take a single course in American law. Same at NYU in their International Legal Studies, International Taxation, and Trade Regulation LL.M. In theory, you can work with just an LL.M if you find an employer willing to sponsor you for all the annoying paperwork (e.g. H1B or whichever visa they'd want to put you on), in practice it's very difficult. Lastly, I'd strongly advise against the JD if your friend can't score above 160 on the LSAT. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:10:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/73321/last#73326 Northwestern has a 2 year JD for foreign law graduates I agree with the LSAT score though. For the kind of money that you're investing coupled with the fact that it's harder to be hired as a foreigner regardless of whether you have a JD, getting into a T14 school - while not absolutely necessary - is desirable. Additionally, I'll just like to add that NYU is really a good choice for international law. I have been taught by Joseph Weiler before and I will absolutely put him as one of the two best professors who has ever taught me. He's that good. Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:59:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/73321/last#76745 Hi...I've just completed my B.tech in petroleum engineering from India. I wish to diversify into the commercial side and pursue law though i wish to stick to modules specific to the energy sector...will taking up a JD course work for me if i wish to practice in US post education Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:31:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/73321/last#77102 Hi Manka, I have done my LL.B. from Mumbai(India) and I m planning to start my LL.M. from January 2011 and currently I am in the US on a work visa. As far as I understand, JD (in US) or LL.B.(in India) would not provide you any specific modules to energy sector. These courses are designed in order to enable a Student to become a Lawyer/Attorney and practice ANY area of Law. So, these courses would not allow you to specialize into one field as you did with your Bachelors degree. If you need to practice Law in the US, then the question is where in US, i.e. which state. Option 1: LL.B. from India + 20 credits or LL.M. in US Law School Option 2: JD in US Law school (a JD requires almost 80 credits) If you need to practice in New York state, you can go with Option 1 or Option 2 (this is my case, I am going with Option 1) If you need to practice in any other state, you have to go for Option 2 only Also, check if any other states allow option 1, I didn't research since I just want to practice in NY Option 1 is cheaper and will cost you approx. Rs.20,000 plus USD 35,000 (I did my LL.B. form Jitendra Chauhan College, Mumbai -- called as Mithibai college, it cost me Rs.5,000 per year for 3 yrs plus Rs.500 per semester for 6 semesters totalling less than Rs.20,000 for all 3 yrs) and the 20 credits/LLM will cost you around USD 35,000. The LL.M will give you some sort of specialization, might not be energy, but something very close. On the contrary JD in US will cost you atleast USD 50,000 or more. But the JD wont give you any specialisation. Take care.. Sachin Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:52:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/73321/last#84413 Hi, I'm a foreign attorney and I have recently been admitted to schools for L.L.M. courses, but looks like a J.D. is the best degree to go for if you are going to live long-term in the United States. I would like to specialize in the field of Taxation Laws. Can anyone recommend any good Universities for a good Tax J.D. ? Also, I would like to work in the State of California, post my law studies. Accordingly, would a Tax J.D. degree from any other State eg Northwestern etc help me to secure employment in California? Does anyone know any good coaching classes for LSAT? Any advice / suggestions would be helpful.