I am interested in doing the LLM in NYC and am wondering what everyone thinks of Fordham?

I've applied to NYU and CLS as well, but think that Fordham will be the most practical especially with their Spring start of session. I have been accepted to Fordham but think it might be worth waiting and re-applying to CLS next year if I don't make it in this year (I havent heard anything from NYU or CLS yet).

Would love to hear what people think!

I am in the same position - I have just been accepted into Fordham - but am still waiting for NYU and CLS. From what I have read Fordham is a good place to do an LLM. It is not in the top 20 US Law Schools rankings because these are based only on the JD, but as far as LLM Programs go, it is apprently in the top 10. AT least that's the impression I have. Does anyone have an opinion on this that can help us decide?

I think that even though these rankings are for the JDs yiu can still learn from them about how prestigious the LLM program, since there isn't a LLM rankings. I don't think that you can say that Fordham is a top 10 LLM program since it's not better than: YLS, HLS, SLS, CLS, UChicago, CLS, NYU, Berkley, NU, UoM, Virginia, Duke, Cornell, GULC, UCLA and there are more... therefor I believe that Fordham is maybe, just maybe in the top 20, but not even top 15.

Check this out : http://www.auap.com//llm.html

Anybody else has an idea ? People who've been to Fordham?

I think this ranking is strange to say the least...
BU and Fordham above YLS/GULC/UPENN/U of Chicago....

The only ranking law firms look into is the US News Rankings, and after I've seen this ranking I can see why...

Don't get me wrong, Fordham is a great law school, but not as prestigious as those I wrote earlier. Besides, you should ask youself whice law field you would like to focus on, if you are into corporate for example, than Yale isn't the place for you, and if you like Tax than NYU, UoM, GULC and U. of Florida are the best.

u take a look here:
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/law/search

u have ur answer ;)

Thank you but obviously, I had had a look at this before...!
I just heard that Fordham has a good reputation in NYC, and was more asking for other opinions than just these official US law schools rankings. It's ok if you don't have this type of information.

the problem with FU is that it doesn´t have a name outside the US. I have the impression that its program is quite rigurous (probably more than many other better ranked univ.) and that you´l really learn. But of course, if you are planning o get a job outside NY... Like it or not the US news ranking is the parameter employers have in their mind because its top univ are very prestigious and not only in law..while paying an LLM you are paying a brand, (that´s what counts in future interviews)regardless if you really learned or you spend your whole llm year partying

Thanks for your response uganda.

I agree you are paying for the brand, and that is what concerns me. I work with quite a few American lawyers here in the UK, and they agree, without being a name brand snob, it gets you in the door a lot of the times... its just an extra advantage.

Although I am in a unique position that I will be working in NYC post graduation for the foreseeable future - what do you think the impression is within NY?

I´ve seen FU among top ten univ. regarding job opportunity rankings. Think is very well seen in east coast, specially NY. Of course if you have an offer from a top ten univ in another place I think you should consider it..you´ll end up in NY anyway..

I am also very confused about Fordham! I think that overall there are the US news report rankings and they are a very good first step but also, there is the practical point of view.
If you want to work in NY, it may be that NY law firms take Fordham as a reputable school, more so than you would expect from its rankings.
I am a bit stuck at the moment. Still waiting to hear back from CLS, HLS, NYU and GULC. I got in at BU, USC and Fordham. I really want to be in New York and I would love to eventually work in the city. Also, I am considering transferring over to the JD after the LLM. Lots of factors to consider!
Any lawyers out there already in practice that have any info/advice - it would be great to hear from you guys!!

I think you have to distinguish between US News rankings which amounts to a 10,000 feet up analysis, and what is actually going on historically, boots-on-the-ground in the NYC legal market.

This article, albeit before the recession, gives some color as to how well Fordham places in the NYC BigLaw market.

Fordham Law Alumni are well known for being *extremely* loyal and patriotic to the school (look at how fast they raised 250 million +/- to build their new law school and related campus) and given their swelling ranks as partners in the City's top firms the following report makes a lot of sense.

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Fordham Law School Ranks Fifth for Placement at Top Paying Firms

May 23, 2006

The business of law is booming and few law schools are better than Fordham Law School when it comes to placing graduates at the most successful firms. An analysis of the recently released AmLaw 100 shows that Fordham ranks fifth in number of graduates at the 30 firms with the highest average partner compensation. The only law schools ahead of Fordham are Harvard, NYU, Columbia and Georgetown.

"We are pleased to rank in the top five," said William Treanor, the Dean of Fordham Law School. "We focus our education on practicing the law as well as knowing the law, so firms have come to realize that our graduates are prepared to work effectively right from the start. And our location in Manhattan within walking distance of many of the country's elite firms assures that there are exceptional opportunities available for students."

Fordham Law School compiled the rankings from the 2006 AmLaw 100 released in the May issue of American Lawyer and Martindale-Hubbell listings.

Attorney Representation by Law School at Top 30 AmLaw 100 Firms Ranked by Average Partner Compensation

Rank Law School No. of Attys.
1 Harvard 1844
2 NYU 1705
3 Columbia 1597
4 Georgetown 907
5 Fordham 679
6 Pennsylvania 670
7 Yale 651
8 Chicago 574
9 Michigan 548
10 Virginia 516

I think you have to distinguish between US News rankings which amounts to a 10,000 feet up analysis, and what is actually going on historically, boots-on-the-ground in the NYC legal market.

This article, albeit before the recession, gives some color as to how well Fordham places in the NYC BigLaw market.

Fordham Law Alumni are well known for being *extremely* loyal and patriotic to the school (look at how fast they raised 250 million +/- to build their new law school and related campus) and given their swelling ranks as partners in the City's top firms the following report makes a lot of sense.

----

Fordham Law School Ranks Fifth for Placement at Top Paying Firms

May 23, 2006

The business of law is booming and few law schools are better than Fordham Law School when it comes to placing graduates at the most successful firms. An analysis of the recently released AmLaw 100 shows that Fordham ranks fifth in number of graduates at the 30 firms with the highest average partner compensation. The only law schools ahead of Fordham are Harvard, NYU, Columbia and Georgetown.

"We are pleased to rank in the top five," said William Treanor, the Dean of Fordham Law School. "We focus our education on practicing the law as well as knowing the law, so firms have come to realize that our graduates are prepared to work effectively right from the start. And our location in Manhattan within walking distance of many of the country's elite firms assures that there are exceptional opportunities available for students."

Fordham Law School compiled the rankings from the 2006 AmLaw 100 released in the May issue of American Lawyer and Martindale-Hubbell listings.

Attorney Representation by Law School at Top 30 AmLaw 100 Firms Ranked by Average Partner Compensation

Rank Law School No. of Attys.
1 Harvard 1844
2 NYU 1705
3 Columbia 1597
4 Georgetown 907
5 Fordham 679
6 Pennsylvania 670
7 Yale 651
8 Chicago 574
9 Michigan 548
10 Virginia 516