my 2nd week experience

Duke is located at a small city in Durham NC, so for those of you who want to study in a quiet, southern Ivy-League, top 10, friendly school you might wanna check out Duke. they are also alleged to have a strong alummni connection, as well as exciting post-LLM opportunities.The LLM class is quite small too, 81 hopefuls from 42 different countries, while the JDs are approximately 200.

We take classes together: except for the LLM compulsory classes, Distinctive Aspects of US law and Legal writing for international students. at Duke the LLM students define their own areas of study. which to my opinion is more confusing if you are not sure what classes to chose from. the add and drop period has come to an end, so has the confort of knowing you dont have to struggle with a class you find difficult. i have just realised i am trapped in a class though, with a no point of return.

the teaching methods and reading materials have been overwhelming so far. being a mother of an energetic toddler, i am sure you picture my situation. i have like 3 classes daily and each day there's either a gigantic textbook chaper or a more than 15 page document to be read from each class. most of us LLMs are still overwhelmed, some quite homesick, but getting there. From the few interractions i have had with JDs, most of them, though respectful of LLMs, have no clue what the study is all about.

the orientation was thorough with a lot of free lunches and breakfast, which sadly came to an end too. we encountered 4 LLMs from the previous years, and another rude awakening slapped us on our faces from their speeches. there was no talk of big jobs or exciting US based opportunities. we figured that's because 2 were now SJD candidates and the other 2 had converted to JD. but the career office assured us we would get a chance to meet the NY based alumni later in the year.

i am holding my breathe as i struggle with classes and family life, and hope that the LLM will pay- i have huge financial obligations, as well as dreams! we are also enviously watching the 3rd year JDs attend the ongoing campus interviews with top tier law firms, and half wish we could also be as lucky.

Comments

Liz, Mar 31, 2008 19:45

I have been practicing law for three years now in Belize. I have my LLB and CLE form University of the West Indies and Norman Manley Law School.

I would like to do my LLM and relocate to the United States (I have US citizenship) but I am not sure what jobs are out there after doing my LLM and what to expect from the bar exams. I am thinking of doing my LLM in Corporate or Banking Law and to move to Florida.

I would just like some reassurance that jobs are out there and that I am what I need to know as a foreign trained attorney.

Any words of wisdom much appreciated!
Liz

Jaan222, Sep 09, 2007 09:17

hey u r doing a great job with a child.............................and thanks for the useful info u gave us...............................best of luck...............

mara cappelletto, Sep 07, 2007 15:34

i'm 2nd yr law at ucl looking ahead to a master's and practising law - corporate - in Italy. Anyone have advice re doing master's first and then state exam?Master's in US/UK, then professional exam. in Italy...
Thanks all for your help. mara

Marco, Aug 27, 2007 18:28

Thanks for starting a new blog. I hope other students of the class of 2009 will join you, so prospectives can get a first-hand insight into life as an LLM student. Duke and Harvard (by ricey) are interesting schools. Looking forward to read more.

BTW: I am impressed that you take the challenge of an LLM with a toddler. I wish you all the best!

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