Hello,

Is it true that America is becoming increasingly protectionist with jobs, not just with banks, but also with law firms?

I heard that banks receiving bailout money can no longer get visas for foreigners.

I also heard that law firms have stopped hiring people who need visas since they have such a large backfill and demand from American JDs.

Does any one have some info about the job situation for foreign LLMs in the US right now?

Can't speak for law firms, but there was an article in the Financial Times today reporting that Bank of America had rescinded job offers to foreign MBAs. I think that under the government bail-out conditions, any company that received public funds and has laid off employees are not permitted to hire non-Americans. I'm not sure about the veracity of the second part - The article said that about 50 foreign MBAs were affected by the decision to rescind offers.

Land a job in US only with LLM has never been easy! LLM with jobs after graduation are not a rule, it is more like an exception and even those who make it, have a job just for one year and no more than that! (At least these are the information I have). I have been talking to LLM from the schools Ive already got in, and they are telling me that, in general, things that have never been easy, are much harder this year and just who had a safe job before coming here will stay in US and all the others, as a rule, are going back to their home countries.

Unfortunately raji20, you are right.

If you are thinking in the LLM as a means to find a a job in USA, better thinking twice before spend $70,000 -80,000 this year, since the US job market will be bad for a couple of years.

Last January almost nobody (LLMs) found a job in CLS and NYU's job fairs.

And yes Gab2009, it has been always very difficult to find a job for the LLMs, but this year it will be even harder!

given all these, why so many people go for LLMs in the U.S.?

Nevertheless, pursuing an LLM in the US still is and will be a big credential for foreign job markets. Globalization is not going to stop because of this economic crisis. The system will change but new developments will arise. Just take the increasing regulation of financial companies. Banks will demand a more intense counselling on the new regulations than they did before the crisis. To meet these clients needs one should have some knowledge of US-american Law.

All in all, its a bad time to pursue an LLM in the US with the intention to land a job afterwards. However, if you want to further your career in your home country there has never been a better time. Just consider that you take the time of the economic slowdown for education.

I agree with Ostriker on the long term lifetime career argument but it is equally true that having to repay a $70,000 loan is a scary short term consideration.

it does not necessarily pay off eventually. anyway this is really a personal decision. Even wihthout a LLM from the U.S., people are certainly capable of gaining sucess in its home country.

Nannanncy I believe however that it is definitely a plus in a career if you attend a LLM from a top US law school.

Koala: totally agree with u. However, consideing the ever-deepening economic crisis, it is really hard decison to make. One of my classmates graduating from 2008 Harvard LLM even failed to find a job after coming back. This is really a concern for me (cause I am not rich enough:) )

Yes I am sure that you will all find jobs soon but in the meantime it's pretty scary. Clearly not the best of times to have huge debts...I have the same decision to make at the moment after being accepted by CLS...

It is unfortunate that it has basically become impossible for foreigners to find a job with a US LLM and $70,000 of debt. But that is the reality right now. US JDs are first in line for law firm jobs and they are suffering right now (even from top schools with top grades). So foreign LLMs are last in line for the short supply of jobs.