Hi: I've been admitted to HLS and CLS for their LLM program and have been told by many people that to get a job in NYC a JD is really the way to go.

Does anyone know if a LLM student at Columbia can "waive" into the 3rd year of their JD program (assuming that he or she comes from a common law background and would be eligible for the 2-year JD in any event)? (I know this cannot be done at HLS.)

You must finish the LLM with high grades, then (and only then) will you be eligible to transfer into the second year of their JD. A very long process...