I need your opinion on what my chances as an "old graduate" are to get into top-ranked schools.
I graduated 2000 with degree in civil law, GPA 3,84. After graduation I had almost 5 years of professional and teaching experience (at University), and 5 yrs of bar association membership, member in good standing.
Later I changed careers - as my family moved to Europe where I was not entitled to practice law. So I worked as a self-employed in a completely different field (IT), while studying extramurally economics and IT. I graduated 2012, degree with honors, GPA 3,94.
So I have a degree in law, almost 5 yrs of experience, then no practice of law for 9 years and finally a second degree with a very good GPA as well.

I am wondering if I can still match for a top ranked school (t14) despite that gap in professional experience. I see US LLM now as a sort of doorway to get back to practice and start practicing US law.

If I do not get into LLM, what do you think my chances are for a JD in top schools in USA?

Thank you in advance,

I need your opinion on what my chances as an "old graduate" are to get into top-ranked schools.
I graduated 2000 with degree in civil law, GPA 3,84. After graduation I had almost 5 years of professional and teaching experience (at University), and 5 yrs of bar association membership, member in good standing.
Later I changed careers - as my family moved to Europe where I was not entitled to practice law. So I worked as a self-employed in a completely different field (IT), while studying extramurally economics and IT. I graduated 2012, degree with honors, GPA 3,94.
So I have a degree in law, almost 5 yrs of experience, then no practice of law for 9 years and finally a second degree with a very good GPA as well.

I am wondering if I can still match for a top ranked school (t14) despite that gap in professional experience. I see US LLM now as a sort of doorway to get back to practice and start practicing US law.

If I do not get into LLM, what do you think my chances are for a JD in top schools in USA?

Thank you in advance,

Hmm, considering the term used...would you at least mind to explain to what part of my CV you are referring to exactly by saying "crooked"?
Anyway thanks for the feedback from Germany.

PS: Just in a case I was not asking for advice what to do in life if your haven't noticed.

Don't get in the kitchen if you can't stand the heat :-)... Listen theres no right or wrong here... People are making observations based on their own life experience... Who cares what the guy form Germany had to say? It means nothing... If you think you have what it takes - write a kick ass personal statement.. submit to as many top schools as you like... and hope for the best.. you don't need some guys on a blog to tell you you're worth it... thats why I totally don't get why people here post these posts... Not a single member of this discussion board works for admissions at any of these schools you're considering.. we know nothing... If you believe in yourself you've got nothing to lose by applying :-)

HopefulCandidate, thanks for the upfront answer, man, I appreciate it. You are right, and It is not that I I would rely on some strangers post on some board when deciding what steps to take in my career. I have more trustworthy sources to rely on. I just was not expecting the reaction like that above ( which looks to me like a total lack of distance by the way) from some total stranger on a supposed to be professional board. It is quite weird, but may be it is some cultural thing, who knows. I will give this board a try anyway, there is some useful information here.
And good luck to you too!

would you at least mind to explain to what part of my CV you are referring to exactly by saying "crooked"?

I am not sure about the veracity of the comments previously posted. You are asking about a USA JD/LLM, so you should listen to Americans lawyers, not those who speculate. Your "crooked" experience is not seen as a negative in the USA, but is in fact coveted and sought out by USA law schools. USA JD and LLM programs are full of people trying to enter a 2nd or 3rd career. Your grades are very strong and you have relevant-enough experience that you should be a good candidate at a good USA law school. If your goal is to actually practice in the USA, however, you should not even consider an LLM, but should only focus on a JD. And, if you decide to pursue a JD, then it is not vital that you go to T14 because T50 is probably good enough.

Hi. I am an LLM graduate from University of Chicago ('12) and I am currently a JSD Candidate here. I graduated as a lawyer in my country in 2000 as well and, during my LLM application process, I got admitted by several top 10 law schools. Moreover, the fact that I had a "crooked" Resume (both with government and private practice positions) not only expedited my admission, but I believe it was a key aspect to becoming a viable doctoral candidate down the line. Bottom line: if your resume has something to show for those 13 years, you should go ahead and reach out to all top tier schools. Hope this helps.

Thank you guys for your comments and for sharing your ideas.

If your goal is to actually practice in the USA, however, you should not even consider an LLM, but should only focus on a JD. And, if you decide to pursue a JD, then it is not vital that you go to T14 because T50 is probably good enough.

Any sense of which LLMs you are interested in?

Hi !
I think it's worth a shot to try top 10 law schools... I mean you have good grades and work experience.
I am quite worried because I dont have enough -- ...
Ill have my law degree in June and had 6 months of internship in an international law firm but thats all... I think being already in professional life is an asset. LLM students are mainly lawyers already I think.

I also have a "crooked" resume, i.e., government, private law firm, and private security think tank, with an almost 8-year work experience. As long as your qualifications match the intended course, it's definitely worth a shot. I'm thankful that I did.

You definitely have a chance. You have the GPA, the experiences, the studies. You should just focus on making a good personal statement explaining why the sudden change. If you have a very valid reason, you can definitely get into a top school.

You do not want them to think that you are lost in life and that you are taking an LLM to figure out what to do next. You should give them a very clear reason on why pursuing an LLM, and with that, you are golden.

Good luck!
H.

That is true. You should explain how an LLM degree will serve as a catalyst or enabler for professional development; that you know where your north star lies and an LLM degree will help you reach it.

Thanks you again guys, for the encouragement.

That is true. You should explain how an LLM degree will serve as a catalyst or enabler for professional development; that you know where your north star lies and an LLM degree will help you reach it.

I think it would be best if you demonstrate clearly in the personal statement the direction you intend to pursue after taking the LLM. For instance, you can demonstrate how the LLM will enable you to go back to teaching specific subjects, or how the LLM will allow you to specialize in Law, Economics and IT, or how the LLM will allow you to serve in public office. I think you should be specific as to how you will use the LLM to advance your career given your unique background.

Dear friend,

How you already got into a premier School. If not then I would like to give you some pointers.Your grades are good and your work experience looks solid.

You should certainly take your credentials in a positive manner and present them so in your SOP. Looking by my experience, I think top law schools take various factors into consideration. I got rejected by Uni of Michigan, Georgetown but was waitlisted by UVA and NYU sent a letter saying that they had given my application a careful consideration ( which the lower ranked schools that not mentioned). My GPA howers around 3 but I have another degree namely Company Secretary which has a low pass out rate.

Good luck.