Many messages on this forum are from students interested in undertaking an LLB (or JD) in Australia. And a lot of other messages are taken up with the ensuing (and rather hackneyed) School X versus School Y versus School Z debate.

The most simple (and most important) piece of advice is almost always missed. If your concern is about your job prospects, the most important determinant of your prospects (and especially whether you get into a top tier law firm) is your performance at law school, not which law school you attend.

Very strong marks from a mid-ranking law school, such as a Macquarie, Deakin, Griffith or Murdoch will beat a poor-to-mediocre degree from a Sydney or Melbourne any day in terms of getting into the top tier firms (if that is what you desire).

[And for the record, my own degree is not from any of the six law schools named in the paragraph above and I have no particular attachment or affiliation to any of them.]

I should add that I have posted this message out of concern that high school students considering an LLB are influenced by the childish ego-posting that consumes most threads on Australian LLBs here.

You know the ones - where the Sydney LLB guy says Sydney beats New South and the New South LLB guy says that New South beats Sydney.

Post Voluntarily Removed.

hi, LordWilberforce thanks for your fresh post(fresh for me, at least.).Are you a legal practioner?? Are you a international student or a local au citizen ?? Just wondering could you supply some more concreate examples/proof to support your opinion above?? There's no intention to dig your privacy, just thought those information is useful to me(a international students who is going to get a llb or jd degree from au top law schools) to make a analogy(the premise is that your opinion is reasonable) . No offence and many thanks
PS: sorry for my poor grammar

hi, LordWilberforce thanks for your fresh post(fresh for me, at least.).Are you a legal practioner?? Are you a international student or a local au citizen ?? Just wondering could you supply some more concreate examples/proof to support your opinion above?? There's no intention to dig your privacy, just thought those information is useful to me(a international students who is going to get a llb or jd degree from au top law schools) to make a analogy(the premise is that your opinion is reasonable) . No offence and many thanks
PS: sorry for my poor grammar

LordWilberforce,

I would be extremely grateful for any opinions and advice(yours seems to be well informed) on the best advisable steps for me to take at this juncture. I have gotten into La Trobe to do their 3 year LLB (Graduate) program and intend on finishing it in two years. I have been accpeted for the uni's mid year intake which usually happens only if a student is eligible for an accelerated 2.5 year program. I intend on applying to have my credits transferred when I enroll at the uni as well as applying to do the accelerated program, where I study during my vacation to expedite the study period. If this request is accepted I should be able to finish my course in two years as opposed to three.

I understand that having my credits transferred would be largely dependent on how theCOLE (Council for Legal Education) evaluates my transcripts and work experience thus far.

I am from India (common law system), a qualified lawyer and have two years of work experience in one of the leading corporate law firms in Asia.

My intention in doing my LLB is to be better equipped to contirbute to a legal system anywhere in the world. I would like to know what my chances of getting a job would be given that I would be an international student graduating with an LLB from Australia, already having two years of work experience in corporate law having been a fully qualified and practctising lawyer.

I was heartened to hear that some firms/companies have India desks specific to cross border transactions with India. I was hoping my background would hold me in good stead.

I have to send in my acceptance letter this coming week and my decision depends largely on the answers to these questions. My course starts in July 2009 this year.

Thanks in advance. My apologies for the sheer length of this post!!!!

Forgot to say that I am not keen in getting into only a top tier firm, although that would be ideal. And my grades will definitely be good.Just so u could keep that in mind.

ANYONE ELSE WITH OPINIONS?ADVICE PLEASE POST POST POST

In my opinion, I think you will also need to investigate the issues concerning Visas because they are vital for you to seek employment. Most Australian employers would not be willing to make an application for foreigners so you will need to see whether you qualify under the points system. If not, then chances of obtaining employment is low.

Subject to the above, I would think that you would have a reasonable chance at obtaining employment. In particular, with 2 years of experience under your belt, that should be attractive to employers (however, the question of whether they pay you additional compared to fresh LLB graduate peers would be another question itself). If you are attending La Trobe then you need to bear in mind that your degree would not be as prestigious as that of Uni Melb and Monash University - I guess this shouldn't be an issue given you do not want tow ork in a top-tier law firm.

I guess your situation would very much depend on what an employer wants - i.e. prestige v other intangible aspects like prior experience.

Maybe LordWilberforce would have some insight on this as well (from another perspective)?

Cheers,
Greg

I agree with Greg.

Your job prospects should be reasonable and therefore, the main issue will be your immigration status.

It's probably best to start doing some careful research as to how you'll fair under the points system. Make sure you don't get ripped off by immigration consultants, as I'm sure you're more than capable of doing your own research.

The Department of Immigration & Citizenship is at -

http://www.immi.gov.au/

Best,
LW

Dear Alhalya,

you might consider whether or not a rural university such as UNE or other could provide extra credit for immigrration visa etc. I understand that two years of living in a rural area will provide you with a better case for immigration.

UNE has a great reputation amonst its students for an enjoyable experience. It is well recognised in Australia. It can be complemented with a GDLP from ANU the highest ranked university in Australia and that can be converted into aLLM with a further four subjects.

good luck
JD

hi, LordWilberforce thanks for your fresh post(fresh for me, at least.).Are you a legal practioner?? Are you a international student or a local au citizen ?? Just wondering could you supply some more concreate examples/proof to support your opinion above?? There's no intention to dig your privacy, just thought those information is useful to me(a international students who is going to get a llb or jd degree from au top law schools) to make a analogy(the premise is that your opinion is reasonable) . No offence and many thanks
PS: sorry for my poor grammar