Wow crazy on Stanford that they don’t offer any LLM funding!! Didn’t realise that :O
I’m not familiar with Michigan’s programs but to me it seems strange that they wouldn’t at least offer you a place in the LLM as well to give you the option? Did they offer funding?
What do you think about it?

Your Northwestern offer is enviable! Which other schools are you waiting to hear from??

Although I hate to put a downer on getting an offer from a fantastic uni like Michigan, I unfortunately agree with everyone. It seems like they are selling you the Michigan brand for your CV without the substance.

Thanks everyone. I've emailed Michigan, politely declining, but welcoming a further dialogue if there is an opening on the LL.M program.

My acceptance of Northwestern's offer is imminent. I've already made up my mind about the subjects: Litigation Strategy, Pre-Trial Advocacy, Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, Class Action Litigation, International Arbitration and Securities Regulation.

Just holding back because it would mean uprooting my life to Chicago and resigning from a good job. One voice in my head says: you don't need an LL.M, you're already an experienced lawyer on a good salary. The other voice in my head: this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you'd be mad not to take it, especially with the huge scholarship offer.

Help me guys..

[Edited by MelbourneAttorney on Feb 27, 2020]

Your Northwestern offer is enviable! Which other schools are you waiting to hear from??

Do it! It seems like you have a clear purpose as to what you want out of it and it’s definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. If I was you I would roll the dice and see where it takes you.

I’m waiting on Stanford and a few others as well, although I highly doubt I have the work experience to be a competitive applicant to Stanford. I’m 80-90% sure about Columbia.

Do it! It seems like you have a clear purpose as to what you want out of it and it’s definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. If I was you I would roll the dice and see where it takes you.

I’m waiting on Stanford and a few others as well, although I highly doubt I have the work experience to be a competitive applicant to Stanford. I’m 80-90% sure about Columbia.

Guys, I have sealed my fate, paid the US$750 deposit and accepted the Northwestern offer.

I did the above whilst (i) watching the 2002 movie, Chicago, and (ii) sipping some fine Jack Daniels Tennessee Whisky.

The partners are gonna be pissed when I resign, only because they'd be thinking "dammit, we could've squeezed another $500,000 in billable hours outta this guy".

Onwards and upwards: I'm moving to Chicago baby! Cue music: give em the old razzle dazzle, razzle dazzle them...

@ MelbourneAttorney
i like your attitude! Enjoy your time returning to school. It will be a wonderful break and the start of a new venture~ see where life will take you :)

@ MelbourneAttorney
i like your attitude! Enjoy your time returning to school. It will be a wonderful break and the start of a new venture~ see where life will take you :)

Do it! It seems like you have a clear purpose as to what you want out of it and it’s definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. If I was you I would roll the dice and see where it takes you.

I’m waiting on Stanford and a few others as well, although I highly doubt I have the work experience to be a competitive applicant to Stanford. I’m 80-90% sure about Columbia.

Awesome. Does Columbia offer much financial aid?

Congrats MelbourneAttorney! How nice to know that it's all done and dusted... enjoy the windy city :)

Also - anyone else admitted to Berkeley? If so, would be glad to hear if you received a scholarship or if you are submitting a Matching Consideration application

Congrats MelbourneAttorney! How nice to know that it's all done and dusted... enjoy the windy city :)

Also - anyone else admitted to Berkeley? If so, would be glad to hear if you received a scholarship or if you are submitting a Matching Consideration application

Hi Radek
No I'm in the same boat as you re not hearing about scholarships. Have submitted a Matching Consideration application though. Congrats to you too!

Hi all
I have been accepted to NYU, Georgetown and Columbia and am tossing up between the three. Am I right in thinking that Columbia is generally seen as more prestigious in Australia? Any other insights informing your decisions between institutions?
Appreciate the help!

Hi all
I have been accepted to NYU, Georgetown and Columbia and am tossing up between the three. Am I right in thinking that Columbia is generally seen as more prestigious in Australia? Any other insights informing your decisions between institutions?
Appreciate the help!

[Edited by MelbourneAttorney on Mar 09, 2020]

Hi all
I have been accepted to NYU, Georgetown and Columbia and am tossing up between the three. Am I right in thinking that Columbia is generally seen as more prestigious in Australia? Any other insights informing your decisions between institutions?
Appreciate the help!

I would definitely go for Columbia if you have the money to fund it. It's Ivy League.

Ultimately it just depends on what you want to do with your career. If it's 'BigLaw', then Columbia/NYU/NW/Cornell/Penn/UChi/Duke are all up there. If you want to pursue a career in Human Rights, then NYU should be your top preference.

At the end of the day, I think an LL.M, even from a prestigious US law school, whilst helpful, is not going to be of significant value if you don't have adequate, quality work experience to complement it (prior to pursuing the LL.M).

I know of banking/finance/M&A lawyers who have moved to NYC firms from Allens and Freehills due to their experience and so for them an LL.M would have added nothing to their careers. On that other hand, I know a few Australian litigators who have gone down the LL.M route as litigation is quite jurisdiction-specific and much more difficult to move internationally. That's the reason I'm pursuing an LL.M (even though I've already passed the New York Bar exam and was admitted to the NY State Bar in 2019).

Also, once you've gotten your foot in the door to your dream job, then anecdotally I hear that no one will care which school you went to for your LL.M but rather it's which firm you worked for (eg "I was at Skadden for 2 yrs" or "I worked 16-hr days at Latham and boy oh boy did I love it.")

g'day. has anyone heard from Stanford??

I have MelbourneAttorney, got a call around 11 AEST today. I applied for the LST programme. It was a nightmare, totally caught me off guard while I was at work and I bombed a few key questions. Unfortunate, given that Stanford was very high on my list.

I have MelbourneAttorney, got a call around 11 AEST today. I applied for the LST programme. It was a nightmare, totally caught me off guard while I was at work and I bombed a few key questions. Unfortunate, given that Stanford was very high on my list.