...

If you take the LLM now an finish next year,you will be in the same place perhaps..
Job with an international Firm doing an LPC.
The alternative is do the LPC,work for a few years,discover the area in which you enjoy/excell/makes money and then do an LLM in an area of specialisation which you know..
rather than picking an LLM for the name..

Sorry forgot to add...

If you do well at your firm,they may even sposor later or you have more funds to pay for the course !

Kek, that sounds like good advice.

I work on a LL.M programme by distance learning, and many if not most of the people who apply for this programme (Innovation, Technology and the Law) are *not* coming directly from an undergraduate programme.

LL.Ms can be a fantastic investment in your career, but make sure you don't invest too early. You may well find yourself having to sit another LL.M to give you the career advancement you need in the future.

Thanks for your advice and comments! I get the impression (especially from people on this site!) that the name and reputation of the university (eg. Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford) seem to matter more than what you actually study during your LLM! In that case, it would be better to do the LLM at one of these places now anyway, rather than wait till I decide what to specialise in next time. Would you agree?

I understand what you are saying now...
Go and buy something, of which you're not sure of the total benefits to YOU, other than everyone else is trying to buy it because it's a good brand, therefore guaranteed to pay off in the end perhaps?

I understand what you are saying now...
Go and buy something, of which you're not sure of the total benefits to YOU, other than everyone else is trying to buy it because it's a good brand, therefore guaranteed to pay off in the end perhaps?

Hello Kazaf

it sounds like that you seem to have everything under control so much to the fact that you are spoiled for choice. my advice to you would be that as you have already securred your trainning contract you can afford to do a LLM as you know that you will be earning straight after it.
as to where to do the LLM i would defitinaly choice Harvard as not only is it one of the best universities in the world but also the experience of living in the U.S would also be benefit to you for both socially and career prospects.

by the way where are you from as you said that you are not an E.U citizen.

Zeeshan

NO !

In these small exchanges,it appears to me that rather than really seeking opinion,you probably wish to do the LLM now, purely because other people are led by the brand name ,and ,you are now seeking evidence to uphold your own feelings for the Ivy League/Oxbridge etc.......

The forums about LSE,Oxbridge,Harvard etc exist but it's not clear if the candidates have many years' prior work experience,have the LPC,have funding etc etc

Alternatively:

1st from UCL,Do a BCL/MJur/ LLM ,then progress on an academic career. Later become a Barrister/Attorney to add support to yourself as a consultant in combination with University...

Kek, I guess you might be right. I am probably more in it for the name and reputation than anything else! The UK firms seem to suggest that with a first class law degree from UCL, a masters degree is unnecessary. But I still think the Oxbridge/Harvard brand is important.

No doubt that the brand is important,,Not disputing that..
You can still go to Oxbridge/Harvard later ,with 2/3 years experience under your belt(and looked on more favourably)
and maybe get sponsorship...
Clifford Chance sponsor their lawyers to go to the Said Business School at Oxford for a year and that's 25K plus for tuition !

What might really add to your career is doing LLM in the USA. I know a guy who from Ukraine who has two LLMs - one from Oxbridge group and another from Columbia... well, now he is doing fine with top 5 international law firm.

So, I would just recommend to think about not only UK, but the USA too.

Yup....If you have the cash !..

That's true... in general, any top10 school in States will cost for non-resident of that state - more than US$53-58k (depending on the state) per person of that apprx. US$30-32 will be tuition.
dat's a lot I might say even for the E.U., not speaking about the CIS :)

Hi Kazaf,
let me give you my opinion!
You know very well that you are qualified both for an LLM and for a job in a top firm. This will not change after 2 or 3 years. If you have the money and you know the area in which you want to get specialized, I urge you to do an LLM.
As you said, you are only 22, you are going to work for the next of your life and you never know what happens after some years. You might not have the time for LLM, you might not be in the mood for it...
If you think that you dont need an LLM now, you will definetely not need it after 3 or 5 years of work experience in a major law firm.
Good luck anyway!

Pls advice on how to go about funding the LL.M at USA.Which LL.M progs will entitle me to take the Bar? Also what is the ideal profile of student which they look up to?

1) Pls advice on how to go about funding the LL.M at USA.
- Depends where are you coming from, e.g. from the CIS (real chances with Edmund Muskie Scholarship).

2) Which LL.M progs will entitle me to take the Bar?
- I do not think that you would be entitled to take the Bar. It is your choice in case you want to practice law in any of States.

3) Also what is the ideal profile of student which they look up to?
- Hard to say... Good GPA. High TOEFL score and nice essay (American style:) It might be problematic to get to the JD program with the top 10 law school, but it easier with LLM.
This year I got an admission to Duke from second try

Good luck!

Thessaloniki,

Thank you very much for your advice. I think I am most probably going to do it - I have my offers from Oxford and Cambridge already, and I expect to get the Harvard offer since they gave it to me last year. My firm has indicated that they are willing to let me take a year out to do the LLM if I want.

That's good, you've made a decision..
But aren't you back to the same position as you outlined last year.... and the point of your question,if I scroll back ????
I.E offers but no money and foregoing one years' salary....