Hello people

I have a question to any current/former Berkeley and Georgetown LLM student who obtained their first law degree from England. But posts from others is welcomed!

Im a fresh grad from a UK law school and I am on the hunt for a training contract (TC) at a city firm in London. Now, firms in london recruit 2 years in advance (so I am currently applying for TCs starting in 2012). And their interviews start primarily in August-September 2010.

Now, ive been admitted to both berkeley and Georgetown. Which school is better in terms of assiting me in getting a training contract in London? I know about the obvious distance issue (berkeley being west coast and GT being east coast) and it would be difficult to fly back for interviews if im in California.

But I would like to hear from people who have been in similar positions as me. Are firms in London able to accommodate me because im so far away? Have people been able to travel back during their studies? Please let me know...

Thanks

TBH I don't think an LLM is a particularly helpful thing at all when it comes to looking for TCs. Most of my UK friends had already scored their MC/SC TCs by the time they finished undergrad, and the ones who did LLMs did it out of interest or because the firms asked them to defer and they needed something to do for a year. The Bar is a bit different, as is academia (obviously).

Still, if you're set on it I would suggest Berkeley as having more international repute as far as law firms go (it depends on what firms you are interested in), although Georgetown has a good brand and flights back from DC are very cheap. You may want to try asking law firms to schedule interviews flexibly although this won't be possible if they do assessment centres. Also, I doubt that a law firm would pay for you to stay in London for interviews (they may, however, pay for accommodation during vac schemes - I would apply for vac schemes if I were you as most vac schemes recruit trainees directly and you will likely skip one of the interview stages).

Personally, I'd go for Berkeley, although I would look long and hard at whether the investment is worth the payoff - LLMs add very little value when it comes to TCs, unless you're doing it out of interest and/or have been granted substantial financial aid.

HTH!

Thanks for your post!

I did two vac schemes last year and both of them didnt end up recruiting because of the crisis. But I knew about the inevitable clash between Tc interviews in August so I did apply for vac schemes this year again. And Ive manage to get one out of the 14 apps i sent! I start next week.

Additionally, I have another TC interview in the summer with a firm that I did a vac scheme with last year. They deferred their interview date. So I have 2 chances for obtaining a tc before I start in the US in August. I just really hope things work out otherwise im looking at a whole year of doing it again...

But are you a current/former Berkeley or GT alum? Do you work in London?

thanks again

^ good luck! it was bad timing for your graduating year. My class graduated in 2008 when the crisis had not yet hit properly. This year should be better for intake of new trainees.

I've not done an LLM yet (applied for programs this year) but I know some people that have done the LLM at Georgetown. They were interested in public service/academia rather than corporate law, though. I do work in London, yes, not in corporate though (not my thing!).

I would go for Berkeley as well.

I don't think it will make a huge difference unless you apply to US firms in London. UK firms won't really bother.

If you are aiming to the the Bar though, Berkeley will be a huge advantage.

I am currently training and will qualify next year. I am already looking to apply for fall 2011!

Thanks for your post

My last two vac schemes were with US firms in London and they really liked that I was doing an LLM in the states. Some UK firms liked it as well but not as much as the US firm ones. Im applying primarily to US firms and hoping to qualify with one.

I havent really thought about the Bar at all actually. It isnt really my thing..

If it is US firms then go for it!

You will be working with US law so it will be very useful!

Not to be of too much intrusion, but I would suggest that look at the course selection and the course offerings and not merely the reputation. Look at the area of practice you are more interested in.
Key points in my personal selection were:
Reputation-reputation precedes other accomplishments, it is given a substantial weight and helps you get your foot in the door, that being said it does not mean that your accomplishments mean less and to be very honest leaving the top 4 HLS, Yale, SLS and Columbia, I would not feel that there is a huge reputational advantage of being in number 7 , 8 10, or 14. They are all prestigious institutions and well regarded locally and globally.
2. Course offering-this I consider a very critical factor in making a decision about a law school. Look at the entire range of course offerings that will help you structure your specialization and provide you with a wider focus. Look for more satisfying course selection.
3. Location-it's not only true for the hospitality industry and real estate but also for choosing a program, the opportunities, the life and the interaction. For e.g. NY or DC give you specific advantages, each have 16 major international firms headquartered there, they have more opportunities and easier access to intern during your LL.M. program. In DC at least law shops(law firms), Supreme Court, Tax courts, Federal Agencies SEC, WB, ADB, IMF, IFC so on and so forth can all found within a five mile radius which makes it easier to get to a place to be exposed to legal practice and back to school for study effortless. In specific cases you could be barely walking a block or two and be right on the doorstep of your cherished work place.

Next I believe you would ask what do I do, so I am an Indian attorney, a qualified solicitor in UK, have worked internationally and studying at Georgetown.
I had offers from other law schools and some better ranked. I did not apply to Berkeley as I feel it has a well known program in IP and don't know how well regarded it is in relation to corporate and other areas. I was more interested in International Finance, structured instruments and project development and I found something I was looking for in GULC. ( there might be a probable bias but I think I made the right choice) California was in my opinion a depressed state and I still think it has not overcome its financial mess.
Hope this info helps!