I am new here so first of all I want to say Hi.
I am not sure whether this is an appropriate question for this board. I would like to ask about your thoughts on the value of a UK LLM in terms of career development for a junior associate. I have been thinking about take a break from work to go back to school. I am in my early 30s. US trained JD with a tax LLM already. Although I have been out of law school for 7 yrs, I am currently a 3rd-4th year associate because I changed practice field a few years ago. I am doing international tax and wealth succession planning at a law firm in the US that is considered as big law (but not one of those mega firms).
A bit of everything that make me start thinking about a UK LLM. I want to spend some time on learning more about tax / international tax, etc. I also want to take a break from law firm practice and live somewhere else for a bit while I am still (relatively) young and have no children. My husband's job is rather flexible and can work from home. Another thought is that maybe a UK LLM would give me a chance to have a few years of experience working in London. My area of practice serves high networth private clients. London would be a great place.
The hesitation is that my academic background is not strong. I have no published paper, etc. My grade at law school was just okay and my law school was an average school that most of you probably never heard of. I highly doubt that I would be able to get into Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, etc. Then I start to wonder whether any big law in London would hire anyone outside those schools.
Anyways, if anyone is willing share some thoughts career development of a UK LLM, it would be greatly appreciated. It would also be great to hear what kind of jobs you are able find after graduation.
Thank you!
Thoughts on UK LLM and career development
Posted Dec 14, 2021 21:26
I am not sure whether this is an appropriate question for this board. I would like to ask about your thoughts on the value of a UK LLM in terms of career development for a junior associate. I have been thinking about take a break from work to go back to school. I am in my early 30s. US trained JD with a tax LLM already. Although I have been out of law school for 7 yrs, I am currently a 3rd-4th year associate because I changed practice field a few years ago. I am doing international tax and wealth succession planning at a law firm in the US that is considered as big law (but not one of those mega firms).
A bit of everything that make me start thinking about a UK LLM. I want to spend some time on learning more about tax / international tax, etc. I also want to take a break from law firm practice and live somewhere else for a bit while I am still (relatively) young and have no children. My husband's job is rather flexible and can work from home. Another thought is that maybe a UK LLM would give me a chance to have a few years of experience working in London. My area of practice serves high networth private clients. London would be a great place.
The hesitation is that my academic background is not strong. I have no published paper, etc. My grade at law school was just okay and my law school was an average school that most of you probably never heard of. I highly doubt that I would be able to get into Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, etc. Then I start to wonder whether any big law in London would hire anyone outside those schools.
Anyways, if anyone is willing share some thoughts career development of a UK LLM, it would be greatly appreciated. It would also be great to hear what kind of jobs you are able find after graduation.
Thank you!
Posted Dec 14, 2021 21:56
Hi! Can’t you apply to London firms directly without an LLM?
Posted Dec 14, 2021 21:59
Thank you! I am sure I can or look for a recruiter. But I do want to go back to school for like a year.
Hi! Can’t you apply to London firms directly without an LLM?
Posted Dec 14, 2021 22:06
I’ve heard JD and bar admission allows you to practice in the UK ???? I am doing Cambridge LLM atm and must say it is a great “gap year”
Posted Dec 14, 2021 22:09
I’ve heard JD and bar admission allows you to practice in the UK ???? I am doing Cambridge LLM atm and must say it is a great “gap year”
I have not looked into that. How was the admission process? Cambridge would be super but I am afraid that my background is not good enough.
Posted Dec 14, 2021 22:29
They usually want a first or upper-second in your
previous degree, and there are about 200 students, quite a few places
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