I am a University senior studying a double major in International Relations and Spanish at a public school in San Francisco, California. I will graduate in the spring of 2012. At this time I will also receive Italian citizenship (which I am currently applying for through the law of jure sanguinis).

I am currently looking into post graduate options and am very interested in Law, specifically immigration, refugee, international criminal and human rights law.

I am confused about how exactly "law school" works in Europe, since mosts countries have different requirements. I have found a program at the United Nations Crime and Justice Research Institute which is paired with the University of Turin in italy. They offer an LLM in international Criminal Law.

My question is, with my undergraduate degree from the US, Italian citizenship and an LLM in ICL what types of opportunities will be available to me? Will I be able to work as a lawyer? Or only in the legal "field" with an LLM? Any help would be great. Thanks!!

Hi Fppo,

IMO an LLM straight from an undergrad degree from anywhere (and by anywhere I mean, even from Harvard) will not get you into law or areas of "legal" work.

Education in Europe traditionally starts as freshman (undergrad) and takes 5 - 7 years (including study, training contracts, bar qualification courses...)

There are big differences between European countries so I suggest you choose those which interest you and start surfing.

For example, it's 3 years of undergrad law in the England and then 2 years of training contract (if you can get one = need good grades and/or a brand name university). England also has a one year "conversion course" for those with a non-law undergrad. In Italy I believe it's 6 years of study and I've never heard of any shortcuts. In France it's 4 - 5 years study and 18 months professional training unless you can get into Sciences Po (Paris) which has a 2 year masters in law which will enable you to access the pre-bar exam to enter the 18 month training period.

Just sayin', don't think you'll find a quick fix with just an LLM.

On the other hand, having a European passport and being a native English speaker are plus points for landing a job in Europe at the end of your legal studies.

Good luck with your research.

Goteborg

Thank you very much for your thorough response! It looks like I will need to do more research and get more country specific. However since I am interested in international law, I wonder how that will work in terms of qualifications. And if its best to just stay in the US and get certified (only 3 years after my undergrad) or do it in Europe.

The reason the LLM in Italy that I mentioned intersted me so much is that once I am down with my undergrad next year I really want to live in Italy for a couple years to perfect my Italian. That is why I am looking into postgrad education in Europe instead of the US.