Hello all,

I have been a visitor to the LLM Guide for a few years now, however, I have not had the possibility to do a full one year LLM due to several reasons (work, marriage, children etc.).

For the last four years I have practiced corporate law in a large international law firm and recently moved in-house to a multinational corporation. Yet, the thought of deepening my business law abilities has ever since increased.

It seems that the LLM is still not possible due to my current situation and might not even be prudent having lived the Biglaw life and now working in-house and not planning to go to academia.

Having said that, it seems that in addition to LLM programs, some universities offer certificate programmes in business law and I was wondering whether anyone has any experience with such courses and which universities would offer value for money? As I am unable to spend an entire year abroad and away from work, some smaller programmes might offer the possibility to further enhance my skills in business (law) but I am unsure whether they are worth the time and money. I am interested in programs in the US and Europe. Any type of experience is appreciated.

Thanks.

There are several other interesting programs out there you should research. By example - have you looked at the Amsterdam Institute of Finance (AIF)? Excellent financial structuring and modeling programs for experienced professionals.

And you might actually do better with a business degree like from a business school than one oriented toward the law - opening up 500+ AACSB MBA programs in the US and abroad, almost all online now-a-days or offered via short executive courses globally?

In my case, I offer various expertise levels of executive level programming via video web-conferencing but only in very specialized areas such as financial structuring, debt workout, transfer pricing, and simulated options trading. With the opening of our new campus in San Diego, I will also offer some of these during December and July. In our case, the short programs can be applied toward the LLM later on.

By practical example for your scenario I offer an international trade course for 5+ years experienced attorneys taught by the Int Trade Counsel of Tyco (one of my alumni) and a tax risk management course for 10+ years experience taught by a few GCs of Tax of large MNEs (also alumni).

Note we have some hurdles though -depending on the course: (1) we limit course enrollment to either 10 or 20;
(2) minimum work experience in the field is either 5 or 10 years, depending on the program; and (3) some courses, like Sovereign Debt Workout, are limited to government-only staff.

Hope this helps you in your continuing research.