Dear all,

I already did an LL.M at a law school ranked at fourties....Since I was crazy about getting admission into a top 10 law school last year, I applied again this year and got admitted by a top 5 law school...

That I have already done an LLM, I'm now so confused as to whether I should/should not accept the offer by this august law school for another LLM???!!!

Would it realy add to me anything special when applying to the US legal job market??

Those of you who are now considering doing another LLM, would they be willing to share their motives/reasons so I and many others who face the same delimma get more insight??!!

Any contribution to this topic is appreciated..
Regards,

Hi Tagotago. I am in a similar position, although I am considering doing a second LLM in Europe, rather than the U.S.

I have worked at major US law firms for a few years now and so far have met only one person with two U.S. LLMs. His reason for getting the second LLM was to get a specialization in tax (at NYU), while his first LLM was from CLS. Ultimately that individual was hired in general corporate practice and has since not done any tax-related work. Bottom line - he could have been hired on the strength of his first LLM. Plus, he only needs one LLM in order to qualify to sit a US bar exam as a foreign national.

I think most big law firms will not care about a second LLM unless it is for a good reason (e.g., to get a specialization). I understand that having a top-ranking school on your resume may be compelling, but law firms will likely need a better justification for an extra year spent in school when you could be getting valuable on-the-job experience already. I would say, if you are currently doing a job where you are getting good experience, don't give it up for another LLM. Once you start work, your professional experience counts more than your prior degrees. (This applies to law firms only. The situation is completely different if you want to go into academia.)

Having said that, if you are currently out of a job or outside of the US legal market or simply doing something that will not lead to your desired job, another LLM could help you get your foot in the door. For example, you could use the job fairs to get interviews with top firms. Also, if the subjects in your second LLM complement your first LLM, you could always use that to your advantage as you are "one step closer" to a J.D. than candidates with only one LLM.

It's all how you play it and there is no single best answer. Good luck!!!

Dear EU-oriented,

Thank you very much for your great post to my thread....I deeply appreciate your insightful advise & hints..

wish you the best of luck with your second LLM..

Regards,
Tagotago

You're welcome. :) Let me know what you decide in the end.

I wonder if anyone else reading this is thinking of doing a second LLM...