Hello everyone,

I'm a permanent resident with a bachelor's degree in law from a foreign country. After using LSAC for transcript evaluation, I received an above-average result (B). Despite being out of the law field for over a decade and now at 48 years old, I'm eager to reenter the legal profession by pursuing an LLM.

I'm seeking recommendations on where to pursue my LLM and which programs would be the best fit for someone in my situation. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Tax is perhaps the only legal field in which an LLM has clear employment value, and then only if you go to the right school (NYU if possible, maybe GT or FL if not).

If tax isn’t your bag, an LLM in a field relevant to what you hope to practice may provide marginal value. But then, really only if it’s somewhat technical or difficult to learn in practice. For example, an LLM in international finance and securities law may be a benefit. On the other hand, I doubt an LLM in family, crim, or litigation will add much value. A year spent practicing is usually much, much more valuable than a year doing an LLM.

If you still think an LLM is the way to go, only go if you can get into a T14/20 program. And even then, only if the cost is manageable. Don’t take out huge loans. There isn’t a financially sound reason to get a degree from a T100 that costs 100k, especially at 48 years old. That last is not meant to be discouraging. You still have potentially 20+ years in which to practice. Just don’t saddle yourself with crushing debt or do an LLM that won’t get you anywhere.

Tax is perhaps the only legal field in which an LLM has clear employment value, and then only if you go to the right school (NYU if possible, maybe GT or FL if not).

If tax isn’t your bag, an LLM in a field relevant to what you hope to practice may provide marginal value. But then, really only if it’s somewhat technical or difficult to learn in practice. For example, an LLM in international finance and securities law may be a benefit. On the other hand, I doubt an LLM in family, crim, or litigation will add much value. A year spent practicing is usually much, much more valuable than a year doing an LLM.

If you still think an LLM is the way to go, only go if you can get into a T14/20 program. And even then, only if the cost is manageable. Don’t take out huge loans. There isn’t a financially sound reason to get a degree from a T100 that costs 100k, especially at 48 years old. That last is not meant to be discouraging. You still have potentially 20+ years in which to practice. Just don’t saddle yourself with crushing debt or do an LLM that won’t get you anywhere.