Hi,

I am 27 and hold a law degree and a PHD in Italy and I have one year work experience because I have been mostly doing research for the past 3 years. Last year I have been awarded a Fulbright scholarship so I have applied for LLM in the US even if I wasnt that sure that I want to go back to school especially if I had to invest any money on it... Last week I found out that NYU accepted me with a Vanderbilt scholarship wich cover full tuition. This means that considering I will cover living expenses with my Fulbright scholarship I have the chance to do the LLM for free.
The point is that if I decide to go when I would get my LLM at age 28!
Do you think I would be too old to get a job for a good law firm in Europe?? If not, considering that at the moment I could easily get a job (at least in Italy) for a top law firm do you think that having a LLM would have a big impact on my career and on my first salary? Otherwise I would rather get a job now and dont do another year school!
thanks in advance for your replies.
f.

If you can get a LLM for free I would definately do it. You will be a student for one more year, you will get to experience life in another country and you will have one more credential on your resume. If you can get a job at a top law firm when you are 27, they will offer it to you when you are 28 without a doubt.

If you can get a LLM for free I would definately do it. You will be a student for one more year, you will get to experience life in another country and you will have one more credential on your resume. If you can get a job at a top law firm when you are 27, they will offer it to you when you are 28 without a doubt.

Maximus,
thanks for your reply.
I am trying to figure out if it is worth to do it in my case, what is the average age for LLM and if it really adds value to your CV.
f.

Quot homines, tot sententiae. In the end, you must make your decision yourself.

I think it's a bad idea just to look to rational factors: what is mathematically the best for your future career etc: I think one of the main factors for professional succes is your enthusiasm for it. If you only want to do it for upgrading your cv, I think your life sucks.

Soit, I think you are the only one who can say what an LL.M is worth for your cv
_what is your cv like right now,
_what are your professional ambitions and
_what can you realise right now without LLM (can you start in a top (us) law firm in your country, top national law firm, something else,...)...
I think you should have at least an idea of this.

And I want to conclude with this: the number one businessman of my country (somewhere in western europe :-p) did not even complete high school. He is rewarded several times as the best manager in the country. I read some interviews with him, and I can tell you he is a clever guy.
Just to say: if you are smart and want to work for it, you will have success in life anyhow.

Greets and good luck with your choice :-)

I fully agree with maximus

If you really think that you are competitive vis a vis your local colleges and that you can find a good position in one of the largest and more prestigious law firm in your country then you should try to land a job and gain some practical experience in your home country. I suggest you to gain at least 2 years of practical experience before taking an LLM.