I'm a Canadian qualified lawyer. Due to family reasons, I need to move back to Asia. My practice is entirely litigation focused and I do not currently work in an internationally recognized law firm. Given my circumstances, it is difficult to land a position in an Asian law firm directly. I thought I could use a LLM degree as a springboard. I would like to know more about how a LLM degree will help me transfer my practice to Asia. If anyone has any insight into this process or has gone through a similar process, I would love to hear your experience. Thanks!
Hi there! I am also from Asia but thinking after LLM to take apply to another Asian country, specifically Japan. SO what I plan to do (since I'm just about to apply) is to study some Japanese, and then later on apply to the international firms based in Japan.
I think that you being Canadian is an advantage as they seem to prefer foreign lawyers from native English speaking countries. It is also a plus if you are qualified to a common law jurisdiction (is that the case for Canada? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar). They also like those qualified lawyers from US/AUS/UK, based on LinkedIn ads. Oh, and usually the lawyers those firms look for will do transactional work, so maybe you can study that in your LLM. :)
As for the programs, I have yet to see an "Asia-oriented" program. But I saw Columbia has some interesting courses related to Japanese law. Then there's also the option of taking up LLM classes such that it'll help in taking a state bar exam. I'm not yet sure if I want to do that, but that will definitely open a lot of doors not just in Japan, I think.
EDIT: I just came across Temple University which offers an Asian Law concentration. It also has some ties to its counterpart in Japan, if I'm not mistaken? Also, you might want to consider taking up LLM in the country where you will relocate.
[Edited by jacket_striped on Jul 15, 2021]
[quote]I'm a Canadian qualified lawyer. Due to family reasons, I need to move back to Asia. My practice is entirely litigation focused and I do not currently work in an internationally recognized law firm. Given my circumstances, it is difficult to land a position in an Asian law firm directly. I thought I could use a LLM degree as a springboard. I would like to know more about how a LLM degree will help me transfer my practice to Asia. If anyone has any insight into this process or has gone through a similar process, I would love to hear your experience. Thanks! [/quote]<br><br>Hi there! I am also from Asia but thinking after LLM to take apply to another Asian country, specifically Japan. SO what I plan to do (since I'm just about to apply) is to study some Japanese, and then later on apply to the international firms based in Japan.<br><br>I think that you being Canadian is an advantage as they seem to prefer foreign lawyers from native English speaking countries. It is also a plus if you are qualified to a common law jurisdiction (is that the case for Canada? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar). They also like those qualified lawyers from US/AUS/UK, based on LinkedIn ads. Oh, and usually the lawyers those firms look for will do transactional work, so maybe you can study that in your LLM. :)<br><br>As for the programs, I have yet to see an "Asia-oriented" program. But I saw Columbia has some interesting courses related to Japanese law. Then there's also the option of taking up LLM classes such that it'll help in taking a state bar exam. I'm not yet sure if I want to do that, but that will definitely open a lot of doors not just in Japan, I think.<br><br>EDIT: I just came across Temple University which offers an Asian Law concentration. It also has some ties to its counterpart in Japan, if I'm not mistaken? Also, you might want to consider taking up LLM in the country where you will relocate.
