Hi everyone!
I have to make my choice very quickly!
I'm from france and I'm speciliazed in finance and banking law. I really don't know which one to choose.
Any idea?
thanks

That's a tough one. Chicago is a historical giant in corporate/finance law, but UPenn is very prestigious and is strong in corporate as well.

Chicago might be more fun than Philly (more expensive).
Chicago by rep requires a lot more study and is suppose to be very academically focused (not that UPenn isn't). It's just that Chicago law students tend to say that all they do is study.

If you don't care about IVY thing, then I'd go to UPenn. If you don't want to overstudy--- UPenn. Go to Chicago if your overly intellectual. Tough one!

I'm going to UPenn.

Definitely a tough call.
Having spent a few years working in France - in American firms, that is- I know for sure that Chicago has an excellent reputation of top quality education probably along the lines of Columbia and NYU.
On the other hand, it is true that you will probably study more (but isn't that part of the investment you're willing to put into your LLM?)
One large advantage for Upenn is the possibility to go for some courses at Wharton, but I'm not sure to what extent that will be really possible/useful.
If I had to make this tough call, I think I would pick Chicago, for the above reasons and because it's a cooler place to live !
Also, for having spoken to many senior Partners/Associates in American law firms in Paris, I would say that UChicago is more prestigious. Of course, if you are planning to practice in a French firm, my argument may not have the same weight.

Good luck with your decision and let me know what you decide !

Interesting choice there but rather tough, I agree.

I too worked in France for three years in a french law firm called Bredin Prat. I am currently working in London, at Freshfields. Chicago's LLM, expecially when it comes to corporate, banking and financial law, has an outstanding reputation. Penn, indeed, is an excellent university and the LLM program seems to be really good. however, I must confess that it does not compete with Chicago. Back in France, Chicago has a great reputation and lawyers are perfectly aware of the university's reputation. The same is more or less true with Penn but I would definitely say that Chicago has more prestige. Several lawyers of the french law firm I went to (which clearly is the best french law firm on the market) studied at Chicago. Obviously, Chicago is not Harvard nor Stanford but in my opinion, it is much better than Penn.

Besides, Chicago is an amazing city. Not like Philly.

Keep us posted and see you

Après, j'en profite pour dire à nos deux français qu'il y également la carte Northwestern qui cumule parfaitement les deux avantages. Beaucoup plus axée pratique que UOC, tout aussi connue pour son aspect finance/droit des affs, de mieux en mieux classée (8ème au dernier classement USnews), idéalement placée à Chicago (juste à côté de la Michigan Avenue), avec en plus la possibilité de suivre les cours Kellogs, ce qui n'est à ma connaissance pas le cas pour Wharton avec Upenn.

Nous sommes pas mal de français à avoir toutes nos chances d'y aller l'année prochaine. Je pense que c'est un choix qui devient désormais presque incontournable pour ceux qui n'ont pas été pris ou ne veulent pas aller à New York.

Comme un avocat Chinois a Shanghai, je suis d'accord que UOC sera un choix prefere due a la reputation internationale et aux Etats Unis. UPenn est celebre pour les MBAs en Chine mais pous les etudes de droit, les universites comme Harvard, CLS, Chicago, NYU sont meilleures.