Hello,

I recently got accepted into Utrecht University Public International Law advance LLM program. I have my BA from the US but I don't have my JD and would be interested in pursuing one after completion of my LLM. What would you guys suggest my best course of action would be? Would my LLM be of any help?

Thanks

Anyone?!?

My two cents (and I'm sure this'll come as no surprise) is that you're thinking about doing them the wrong way around. If you weren't planning to do a JD but just wanted some expertise in international law, I'd say there's no problem. However, you'll get a lot more out of an LLM if you're trained as a lawyer, i.e. to think like a lawyer. Without a fundamental understanding of legal method and reasoning, what you gain from the LLM will be limited.

That's probably not the response you want, but I hope it's helpful. I took an LLM class in human rights law as part of an MSc many years ago. It was partly the realisation that I had absolutely no idea what was going on which prompted me to get a JD. Now it looks like I'll be heading somewhere next year to do an LLM of my own ... so, my second master's. Save yourself the trouble and go and get your JD. An LLM will be much more valuable afterwards.

Others might not agree, however...