Hi all,

Way before I have been reading all the postings regarding LLM (by the way, this blog is great!!) I became very frustrated with the "LLM situation" in this country.

I am graduated in Brazil and right after passing the bar there I moved to the US. Not knowing much, and not knowing how to get more information, I decided to start my LLM at a tier 2 school in NY state. Bottom line, I am very frustated. As many of you already mention, it is VERY HARD to find a job with a LLM degree in the US, specially if you are not from a top law school and you are not a top 10 in your class. I passed the July/06 bar and I am still looking for a job... not mentioning that I gave up on knowcking at the big firms' doors. They do not want to hear about me...

Some friends live in UK, and they love it -- none of them are in the legal field though... Then, I was wondering if with my JD from Brazil and LLM from US, I can get a job there. If so, do I need to take any test, like the Bar here??

I fully agree with your views. Unfortunately most of the LL.M programs are a scam. I don't understand why they have to run these programs looting money from poor lawyers from developing countries.

These LL.M Programs are not really worth the money. The career sevice offices of some universities do not have a idea, as to how they can secure placements for the LL.M Candidates, even as an intern.

They coldly state without being sensitive to the feelings of foreign LL.M's that they are supposed to go back to their home countries, as if they own the United States !!!

I would suggest try contacting Brazilian companies operating in the U.S. I had come across an openning for a Brazilian Lawyer in Andersen & Kurth based at Dallas. Go to their website and try your luck or speak to the recruiting Manager there. One of your strengths would be your knowledge of Portuguese knowledge, try capitalising on that.

U.S. is a better place than U.K. for a South American Lawyer.

In U.K. you may have to take the Solicitors exam or get trained as a Barrister, which is quite a cumbersome process.

Best of Luck !!!!

Hi all,

Way before I have been reading all the postings regarding LLM (by the way, this blog is great!!) I became very frustrated with the "LLM situation" in this country.

I am graduated in Brazil and right after passing the bar there I moved to the US. Not knowing much, and not knowing how to get more information, I decided to start my LLM at a tier 2 school in NY state. Bottom line, I am very frustated. As many of you already mention, it is VERY HARD to find a job with a LLM degree in the US, specially if you are not from a top law school and you are not a top 10 in your class. I passed the July/06 bar and I am still looking for a job... not mentioning that I gave up on knowcking at the big firms' doors. They do not want to hear about me...

Some friends live in UK, and they love it -- none of them are in the legal field though... Then, I was wondering if with my JD from Brazil and LLM from US, I can get a job there. If so, do I need to take any test, like the Bar here??