I am preparing for my final year of law school at Michigan and am planning to practice in IP law. I would like a little guidance, from those in the know, as to whether or not pursuing an LLM in IP will really make me any more marketable to law firms when I am through. I do not doubt that the learning and experience would be invaluable, but does it make one more marketable in the field? Any comments would be much appreciated.

Probably not worth the cost. Michigan is a good school you could probably get a job without the LLM. Most employers are of the opinion that aside from tax an llm in another subject is practically meaningless for hiring.

If you want patent law and have a technical background you can get a "top law firm" job with average grades from an average to below average law school (which is clearly not you, just saying).

Unless you're having trouble competing with candidates with technical backgrounds I suspect an LLM is worthless for the purpose of being an associate.

I agree with the last post. Other than tax and subject matter LLM may show a commitment to working in that area which is good for employment purposes, but no employer actually believes you learned anything in your LLM that will be of any use to a client (unless your clients are law students because youre a professor).

I took LLM in comparative law and working at commercial litigation law firm now. I am interested in IP field but I don't have any IP back ground and I don't want to take second LLM. So, I am thiking to take a certificate in IP law in NYU's continuing and professional studies program, but i am not sure if the program is worth it