I'm a law graduate from India and I'm looking to do a masters in international dispute settlement. I'm currently focusing on two options.

There is the MIDS course in Geneva, which is very comprehensive and has some of the best international arbitrators as faculty. They are also said to give strong placement support to their students. On the other hand, there are the arbitration courses offered by the Ivy Leagues like Harvard and Yale, not so dispute resolution-centric but with great networks and brand names.

Which route would have higher chances of employment upon graduation? Is it better to go with the European choice that will give well rounded training in arbitration or go with the school that has a bigger brand and by virtue of which, may open more doors?The employment situation in both the US and Europe is not great at the moment and the US is increasingly protectionist. I am also aware that a US LLM is far more expensive (would it be worth the financial risk)?

I would really appreciate some clarity and insight into the matter. Any additional food for thought on the subject would also be welcome.

Hello,
I think you shoul look at the states not only as a networking and brand names. You must also consider good Arbitration programs. For example, for name just a few, you have NYU, CLS, Florida and Peperdine which have great international arbitration programs! I am also interested in international arbitration and USA is a good options.. besides, you may also consider England (QUEEN MARY) and Paris.... and of course Geneva would be a great opportunity you have plently of options... also consider where do you prefer to spend a year, because dont forget it is also a personal experience..

Thank you for your reply. I had not considered the personal experience bit because I was focusing entirely on the program. :-D I am aware that good arbitration programs exist at these schools and I'm not ruling out applying to them. It's just that my chief concern is which school would give the best chance of gainful employment after the LLM? My cv should look better not just because of the LLM but also because of the institution bestowing it. A double whammy in my eyes.

Well, in terms of employment I dont think that only a LLM (no matter where) would have a definitive impact! Of course would help, but also law firms looks at professional experience etc... International arbitration is rather elite so it is not easy to enter that world without experience.. In addition, its all depends on where do you want to work. If in the states, I definitely would say that you need some work experience to bring in addition to your LLM... if in your home country, a llm may be a nice veneer to your CV...
I do know many people on the field who succeed in getting a good job after the LLM, but they aready had some experience...

So, if you have at least 2 years of work experience and complete your LLM I think you will have a good shot. But dont worry too much about school... you have plently of good international arbitration good programs in the States and in Europe. Focus on where you want to work and also the kind of people and neetworking you want to built..

Thanks for the fresh perspective. I would like to work outside my country and as for experience in the field, I have only had a short internship with an international arbitrator. After that, I took up arbitration courses in college. However, I am now dealing with company law (its only been 4 months) and with respect to your last statement, I'm considering the merits of the dual degree program offered by NYU-NUS.

I would also consider the LLM in International Commercial Arbitration offered by Stockholm University. This program recently topped the LLM Survey conducted by GAR.
http://www.sccinstitute.com/stockholm-no-1-in-llm-survey.aspx

Hi,
I know it a very old post, but i wanted to know if you had chosen the school to do your masters.
I am also interested in LLM in International Arbitration but confused between US or UK. I have been practicing in Indian High Court for over 3 years.

Can anybody please guide me on this.

Thanks.

Hi Kour,

A friend of mine did the MIDS in Geneva, and in his opinion, the best LLMs in this field are the MIDS, Queen Mary, Stockholm, and *maybe* the new LLM offered by Paris Sciences Po.

He does not seem too impressed about other programs. This is just his opinion though, but hope it helps!

I agree with NapZ's friend. I am starting the MIDS in September. It took me a while to decide on one program.

My final decision was made among QMUL, the MIDS and SciencesPo, although I also considered Stockholm and Miami in the way. I think there is an important gap between these 5 programs and the rest of programs (Ivy League included).

Again, this is just one opinion. Good luck with your decision!

Hi Kour,

A friend of mine did the MIDS in Geneva, and in his opinion, the best LLMs in this field are the MIDS, Queen Mary, Stockholm, and *maybe* the new LLM offered by Paris Sciences Po.

He does not seem too impressed about other programs. This is just his opinion though, but hope it helps!

Hi please help me rate NYU, Columbia, Harvard law school for LLM

Hi Kour,

A friend of mine did the MIDS in Geneva, and in his opinion, the best LLMs in this field are the MIDS, Queen Mary, Stockholm, and *maybe* the new LLM offered by Paris Sciences Po.

He does not seem too impressed about other programs. This is just his opinion though, but hope it helps!

Precisely. Also, you really want to be in a place that is well-connected to the type of work you want. Pepperdine, for example, has a great program but it wouldn't be my first choice if my dream was to land a job at Freshfields in Paris or get into sports arbitration in Switzerland. I would take some time to look at the profiles of people that are doing the kind of work that you want to be doing. The firm websites can be a really good resource.

I agree with NapZ's friend. I am starting the MIDS in September. It took me a while to decide on one program.

My final decision was made among QMUL, the MIDS and SciencesPo, although I also considered Stockholm and Miami in the way. I think there is an important gap between these 5 programs and the rest of programs (Ivy League included).

Again, this is just one opinion. Good luck with your decision!

Hey, Gurkour.

I do not doubt the quality of Pepperdine's program. However, I agree with what GrumpyJD says about job prospectives. Think of what you expect to do immediately after the LL.M. Most of the programs mentioned in this thread make a big effort in terms of job placement, and they manage to place their students in top notch firms mostly because their faculty's connections. If among the faculty there is the partner of a big firm -and this is frequently the case-, chances are one or some students end up with a place/internship at that firm. This is where doubts arise regarding Pepperdine, at least under my perspective.

As for programs starting in January, there are not many options within dispute settlement specializations. The only one that I know about -and it seems to be very, very good- is the International Dispute Resolution and Economic Law offered by Queen Mary within its LL.M. in Paris program (completely thaught in English at Paris by the same faculty of London, with some changes in its learning approach). There you have the likes of Loukas Mistelis, Maxi Scherer and Stavros Brekoulakis, to say some. This one's appeal is, as I see it, its practical approach. Look into it. Admissions deadline is October, I recall.

Good luck in your journey!

Hey, Gurkour.

I do not doubt the quality of Pepperdine's program. However, I agree with what GrumpyJD says about job prospectives. Think of what you expect to do immediately after the LL.M. Most of the programs mentioned in this thread make a big effort in terms of job placement, and they manage to place their students in top notch firms mostly because their faculty's connections. If among the faculty there is the partner of a big firm -and this is frequently the case-, chances are one or some students end up with a place/internship at that firm. This is where doubts arise regarding Pepperdine, at least under my perspective.

As for programs starting in January, there are not many options within dispute settlement specializations. The only one that I know about -and it seems to be very, very good- is the International Dispute Resolution and Economic Law offered by Queen Mary within its LL.M. in Paris program (completely thaught in English at Paris by the same faculty of London, with some changes in its learning approach). There you have the likes of Loukas Mistelis, Maxi Scherer and Stavros Brekoulakis, to say some. This one's appeal is, as I see it, its practical approach. Look into it. Admissions deadline is October, I recall.

Good luck in your journey!

Hello. I'd like to know more about job prospectives after the LLM, can anyone help with it?
As Gurkur said, I also don't want to simply go to Europe, do the LLM and then come back (to Brazil).

Guys, I have offers for masters in Dispute Resolution from QMUL and University of Miami.
Which program should I opt for?

Guys, I have offers for masters in Dispute Resolution from QMUL and University of Miami.
Which program should I opt for?

Guys I have been admitted to NYU (International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration program) and MIDS.

Need to take decision between the two. I am an Indian with 6 years of experience - My priority is getting a job in International arbitration. Suggestion please??

Guys I have been admitted to NYU (International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration program) and MIDS.

Need to take decision between the two. I am an Indian with 6 years of experience - My priority is getting a job in International arbitration. Suggestion please??