The Situation: been underemployed (insert lame job here) since graduating from a top-tier law school in 2007. Law school I graduated from is in a different state then where my fiancee and I live/work. My law license is now in this state too (oh yeah, and I love her more than life itself so don't be cruel and say I should abandon her to return to the state I graduated from, that would just be mean, plus there's that whole licensing thing omg no more bar exams!). Deferments are running out, living with fiancee w/out job is taking its toll, really not much in the job market. In a way I feel abandoned or frozen in time while everyone else is out there succeeding.

The Problem: Talking to people about getting work usually results with idiotic comments about how I must not be trying hard enough or how I'm obviously doing something wrong and most advice is more idiotic or restates what I'm doing...really( il.e. have you tried temp jobs in that two years because it's all I can think of....and one person said I should call a senior partner at law firms once a day and talk to them for as long as possible about finding a job....lunacy :). Basically only recent graduates truly seem to understand how desparate the struggle is becoming or the anger I must suppress any time I think about life.

My Solution: I want to do health law. I love health law. In fact, health law is all I want to do. so I applied, and was accepted to DePaul and Loyola LLM, but I have no idea if this is going to have any benefits given the job market. Now I'm wondering about a couple of things.

First, what will the interpretation of getting an LLM mean to potential employers?

Second, Loyola and DePaul both look good, but which is better, I am aware Loyola has a more competent website, but what is up with DePaul LLM, good, bad, indifferent (and don't mention their US News Rank please, I did my homework assignment :)?

Third, How do you pay for these things? I mean, is it common to just go with the student loans again (I know Loyola has the fellowship and I will apply, but, as my dad would say, only a fool would hang his hat on that star)?

Fourth, In your opinion (and yes I know this is related to the first) would the LLM accomplish the point I'm trying to make that I am a bright, accomplished young man who had a life changing event requiring me to move to a different city and am motivated or would a employer just go eh, so he's smart, but we got fifty smart people just like him that are from here?

Thanks for any response.

I wrote this post for information about the LLM programs. Additionally, I am licensed to practice law in the state where my fiancee lives and it would be irrational to return to my law school state at this point. So please, if you would like to help me focus on the questions asked and not delve into other areas.

My post was cut off. Here's the whole thing. But I thought your issue was getting a job. You sound like getting an LLm is an after thought for you becasue getting a job was so difficult at this point.

I am sure you heard this before, and you'll hate hearing it again. But (unless you have small children) you should consider living apart from your fiancee for a year or two. In my parent's time, it was unheard of. But it's not that all uncommon these days. Career couples do it all the time. It's difficult for sure (I did it for three years), but it's unfair for either one of you to waste the time, effort and money you invested in a legal eduaction. Get some work experience under your belt and you'll have an easier time getting a job in any city in any market. Of course, the market is bad everywhere. Widening your geographical market will exponentially increase your job opportunities. You can still get married and those weekends and holidays will be really special.


Both DePaul and Loyola are great schools and having an LLM in a concentration you're interested in will help you. But be sure that you're going to practice the kind of law that you specialize in with your graduate studies. Otherwise, it's nothing more than digging a deeper hole. And people already know you're smart, so you don't need an LLM tp prove that.

I know how you feel. But you will get a job at some point. It's just a matter of time.

I have a similar situation. I was recently laid off and want to do a very particular type of law, with which I have very little practice experience (trade, in my case). I'm accepted at Georgetown (Int'l Business & Economic Law), but unsure of whether it will be worth the investment. 45 grand is a lot to pay for uncertain returns in uncertain times.....

I went to Loyola for law school because it used to have the #1 health law program in the US. I know that there are more now, but Loyola is consistently ranked in the top. Also, Loyola has a great repuation for it's hospitals and its med school.

I went back for an LLM. If you haven't taken any health law courses, then go for it. Make the most of the courses, talk to the professors, have drinks w/them....network. If you can do this w/out an LLM, that would be great....but it looks like you need connections in Chicago.

One of my professors from the program got me several interviews for large lawfirms and I am currently working in one now.

It's a big investment, but if you make the most of it....it is worth it.

Good luck!

thx

Hello, just an update and fyi on the situation for anyone interested/reading my post. I have chosen Loyola for a number of reasons including that they offer a doctoral degree in health law, they had a great admin. staff to answer and help me with any and all questions, potential for a fellowship, and are a top notch health law program.

DePaul just didn't seem to answer my questions as thoroughly as I would have liked or seem like the best match for myself, albeit it is close to the train, has a very large Chicago alumni base and is a great school by any standards. Thanks to everyone for comments/messages esp. DukeofHurl