At a time when many folks cannot find jobs, I have a decent job in the states but have been accepted to King's Collge IP LLM for 2011 start.

In applying, my thinking was that my US law degree and seven years US IP practice PLUS a King's College IP LLM (European IP law) expands my experience more globallly, but I cannot stop the voice in my head saying "no one gives up a good paying job in this economy to go back to school, take on more debt AND come out to who knows what kind of job market!"

So some questons from a torn and confused American

1.) King's (from my research) is one of the better schools in UK, so are proespcts after getting the King's LLM good?
2.) am I off base in thinking that my US law practice + EU IP LLM is a good career move in that I become more global?
another voice in my head says " if you get accepted to a university like Kings you make it happen and GO!!!!!"

Any advise so much appreciated

Hi Xtian99.
I think a lot of the response depends on where you want to wind up. In reality, if you are practicing in the US in IP already, the further degree isn't going to add much to your CV except as a talking point. I was in a relatively similiar position and admittedly a completely different field (International Law) and upon returning to the US no one really cared about the LLM from a professional standpoint. However, this was 10 years ago so things might have changed. On the flip side, taking the year out to expand your knowledge is always a good break and you would probably return with a fresh lease on your legal life, I sure did! As for me, it mainly encouraged me to return to higher education again for the PhD. My suggestion is to speak to some places you'd be interested in working and see if they find an LLM necessary or a plus when you are already working in the field.
Best of luck.

Perhaps Xtian, you are not 100% happy in your current job. And, even though it is valuable in terms of the income it generates for you, there may not be a huge amount of joy in having such a job. Perhaps also you need the adrenalin rush and excitement of studying in London for a year and meeting a completely new group of people.

So, if I were you, I would not accept this King's LL.M. place to enhance my employability. Instead, I would accept it just for the sheer, unadulterated pleasure of studying in London for a year in a completely different milieu. After that...what happens, happens.

excellent points- and I forgot to note that I am a dual natioinal (US and UK) so one reason for my wanting to be more interest in UK LLM in gloabl IP is that I can work in the EU - and would very much like to do so.
Since I have posted, I've stumbled in my own way on what Trinity touches upon- an opp to study IP on a global scale at Kings in the wonderful city of London is one of those opps that you just have to take when its lands in your lap- and what happens after is what happens after!

Thank you both for your wonderful input!

This is a particularly interesting thread as I too am a dual US/UK citizen with 6-7 years of US IP law experience and a seemingly endless inquisitiveness about the possibility of pursuing an LLM abroad. I would certainly like to perhaps email with you Xtian so that I can follow your experience while in London. Thanks

sure- email me at dolci100@hotmail.com and we can set up a time to chat!