I have an Oxford law degree and a strong professional background, having worked for 2.5 years at a top international firm (I worked in real estate and now want to make a move into litigation/arbitration) and was wondering if the LLM at a top 10 university was worth spending $45,000 on in fees for someone who already has a strong legal background.

Of course, I am aware of the rhetoric that "education is a great investment etc. etc." but I'm trying to rationalize the debate as it is a significant amount of money and I will need to source a lot of it from somewhere!

"Is the LLM worth $45,000 in fees"

hardly every. its more or less pure luxury...

but if your employer requires you to do a ll.m., you have to spend the money.

easy question: the answer is no. listen to somebody who is spending ever more than 45K...

no. it ain't worth no $45k. a JD is enough. LLMs are just overpriced cash cows...

Dont have a JD anyway

Staigsta - are you currently enrolled on an LLM?

thank you petersta for the consideration eheheheh...

Yes, at Northwestern Law (Human Rights program)

I infact have an offer at NW for the normal LLM. So your vote is NO to an LLM?

It depends what do you want to do afterwards. Do you want to work in the US as a lawyer? tuitions are not worth the investment in this case, whereas you'd have little more chances if you pursue a career in international organizations (but let me get a job first, and then I'll get back to you with something tangible)

I think it would primarily be to go to Europe and start a litigation/international arbitration career but I can't discount that there is a tiny part of me that might want to work in the US (if possible) but that was not the primary reason for pursuing the LLM

The answer is a definitively maybe. ;)

It depends heavily on: 1) where you come from, and 2) what your career goals are. Getting an Ll.M. is pretty much mandatory for those of us with high aspirations but coming from small or poor countries. But I guess that is not your case...

If your plan is to work solely in the UK on Uk issues, then it may not be worth it, unless it opened doors. Have you talked to lawyers doing what you would like to do?

If your plan is to work on international issues, eventually with a strong link to the US, then it would probably be a good idea. This not necessarily because the education would be better than the one you already got at Oxford, but because it would give you a good deal of exposure to their rules and the way americans reason (I say tomato, you say tomato).

Two other things to consider are:
1. Living in the US is a great life time experience and the networkig may open doors beyond the US. Do not underestimate it.
2. You may end-up paying much less than $45.000 if your credentials are good and the Law School would like to have you. From what you said, that may well be the case.

Leaving aside the potential bruises to your ego (rejections hurt like hell!), nothing prevents you from applying and seeing what happens. Cheers mate!

Networking in the USA is VERY important. Find a program with a pipeline to an employer in place.

Networking in the USA is VERY important. Find a program with a pipeline to an employer in place.