http://www.llm-guide.com/board/9221 en JD/LLM in the US - does anyone know? - LLM GUIDE Discussion Board Wed, 21 Dec 2005 06:37:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/9221/last#9221 Hi AYones. I'm an American JD, went to a top 20 law school. Now I'm at NYU getting my LLM (which is top 4 or 5 depending on the year). I wouldn't necessarily say that going to a more prestigious school for your LLM will help by itself....you really should be committed to a certain area of law and go to a highly ranked school that also has a good reputation in that area. Also, I am finding that it isn't a easy way to get a better job, etc. Employers always look at where you went to law school for your JD first, and what your grades were. A lower ranked law school still seems to hurt people's job prospects or at least limit them -- (especially outside of the top 35 schools, and definitely outside of the 1st tier). I'm not saying it's fair but that's the reality. Getting a LLM from a prestigious law school is never going to be the same as getting a JD from one. I think in my case it is helping my resume, but not because I made a big leap from the reputation of my JD school compared to my LLM school -- but because I already went to a good law school for my JD and my LLM school adds onto that. It's not such a drastic leap that it seems like I did an LLM because I didn't have any other options. Also, law firms often don't know how to evaluate American LLM students (except for tax) since it is still a uncommon thing for American JDs to go on to LLMs unless it is in tax. If you're interested in tax, I'd say if you go to a highly ranked school in tax (NYU, Georgetown) and do your studying, you'll easily benefit and get a tax job. For the other specialties, its not that easy. All that being said, I've gotten a lot of approval from practicing attorneys at prestigious firms about my decision to get my LLM and also for the school I am attending. So it definitely can't hurt. But it is a very expensive route to take, so I'd be absolutely sure you wanted to do tax, or you wanted to fully focus on a certain area of the law before you decide to go.