Dear colleagues,

I have been reflecting on this issue for some time now, and would welcome reflections on your behalf.
Carrying out an LL.M in the US is sometimes seen as a bridge to develop or continue to develop professional success. This is a widespread marketing idea of the LL.Ms.
My concern regards the fact that the US and world economy are in a huge turmoil. Thus, are US Law Schools in a position to charge sky rocket fees around 45 thousand dollars for tuition in a moment where job positions in the US and abroad are scarce? This situation seems to remain for the next 2 to 3 more years making credit access and financial aid for education more difficult.
The reality is that the American economy has sunken. Is it realistic to continue to view an LL.M is the US as a requirement to obtain a good position in the law career?

Recent history shows that the cost of education increases when the economy is in crisis and decreases when it's doing well.

In other words, when everything is great, and every company is prosperous and they hire by hundreds to sustain their growth, a JD from a T3 school (because they offered a hefty scholarship) can be enough to get positions that only T14 graduates are getting right now.

The more competitive the market, the more you need to invest in education to get an edge over other candidates.
Yes it's harsh, yes it's difficult to fund for many of us, but no one said recessions only affect others.

Actually, to be fair, it is not only due to the economic downturn - law schools in general have continued to charge more and more on a yearly basis over the course of the past few years, even during the more rosy periods. But, just to reiterate a point made in many of the other threads, don't just see the LLM as an entry-point to a career in the US. Sure, in some instances, it can lead to that, but given the present economic situation, that is by far the exception, not the norm, so definitely do it if you think getting an American perspective is good but you may wish to reassess your options if the only reason for doing an LLM is employment in the US (since odds are, given the market, you'd end up disappointed). If not, the amount spent can serve as a great investment in that it allows you to build new international networks, take a relaxing year off work, and gain an American perspective.

so definitely do it if you think getting an American perspective is good but you may wish to reassess your options if the only reason for doing an LLM is employment in the US (since odds are, given the market, you'd end up disappointed). If not, the amount spent can serve as a great investment in that it allows you to build new international networks, take a relaxing year off work, and gain an American perspective.