Should I transfer to JD?

1 1

Posted Apr 15, 2024 08:28

Hello,

I am writing this post to ask for your insights. Here is the backstory.

I have a dual citizenship (US and South Korea). I went to high school and a public university in the United States with a BA. Initially, I was going to take the LSAT and go to law school for a JD right after my BA in Politics. However, there was a brief period when I went back to Korea for business-related endeavors after I graduated, and I remained there until Covid. Then, I decided to go to law school in Korea as my future with law school back in the States was uncertain. I got a law degree and got admitted to the bar in Korea.

To get to the point --- I want to work in the United States. I am currently enrolling in a T-14 LL.M. program and there is an option to transfer to JD. I am contemplating whether or not I should do it. I understand that a JD degree is being viewed a lot more favorably by law firms, but that also means two extra years of education for me. I also understand that many foreign students were not able to secure employment because of the Visa requirement. I wonder if I will have a better shot at finding jobs as a U.S. citizen LL.M. graduate with both the US bar and a foreign license to practice law.

____

TLDR

US Citizen; South Korean Bar Qualification; LLM at T14

Will having just an LL.M. allow me to get jobs in the US or should I spend two extra years (and another $100k) to get a JD?

[Edited by maria maria on Apr 15, 2024]

Hello, 
 
I am writing this post to ask for your insights. Here is the backstory. 
 
I have a dual citizenship (US and South Korea). I went to high school and a public university in the United States with a BA. Initially, I was going to take the LSAT and go to law school for a JD right after my BA in Politics. However, there was a brief period when I went back to Korea for business-related endeavors after I graduated, and I remained there until Covid. Then, I decided to go to law school in Korea as my future with law school back in the States was uncertain. I got a law degree and got admitted to the bar in Korea. 
 
To get to the point --- I want to work in the United States. I am currently enrolling in a T-14 LL.M. program and there is an option to transfer to JD. I am contemplating whether or not I should do it. I understand that a JD degree is being viewed a lot more favorably by law firms, but that also means two extra years of education for me. I also understand that many foreign students were not able to secure employment because of the Visa requirement. I wonder if I will have a better shot at finding jobs as a U.S. citizen LL.M. graduate with both the US bar and a foreign license to practice law. 
 
____ 
 
TLDR 
US Citizen; South Korean Bar Qualification; LLM at T14 
Will having just an LL.M. allow me to get jobs in the US or should I spend two extra years (and another $100k) to get a JD?

quote

Inactive User

4 7

Posted Apr 15, 2024 13:17

Hello,

I think you don't need JD because of T-14 + your citizenship (that's great)

I am writing this post to ask for your insights. Here is the backstory.

I have a dual citizenship (US and South Korea). I went to high school and a public university in the United States with a BA. Initially, I was going to take the LSAT and go to law school for a JD right after my BA in Politics. However, there was a brief period when I went back to Korea for business-related endeavors after I graduated, and I remained there until Covid. Then, I decided to go to law school in Korea as my future with law school back in the States was uncertain. I got a law degree and got admitted to the bar in Korea.

To get to the point --- I want to work in the United States. I am currently enrolling in a T-14 LL.M. program and there is an option to transfer to JD. I am contemplating whether or not I should do it. I understand that a JD degree is being viewed a lot more favorably by law firms, but that also means two extra years of education for me. I also understand that many foreign students were not able to secure employment because of the Visa requirement. I wonder if I will have a better shot at finding jobs as a U.S. citizen LL.M. graduate with both the US bar and a foreign license to practice law.

____

TLDR

US Citizen; South Korean Bar Qualification; LLM at T14

Will having just an LL.M. allow me to get jobs in the US or should I spend two extra years (and another $100k) to get a JD?

[quote]Hello, I think you don't need JD because of T-14 + your citizenship (that's great)
 
I am writing this post to ask for your insights. Here is the backstory. 
 
I have a dual citizenship (US and South Korea). I went to high school and a public university in the United States with a BA. Initially, I was going to take the LSAT and go to law school for a JD right after my BA in Politics. However, there was a brief period when I went back to Korea for business-related endeavors after I graduated, and I remained there until Covid. Then, I decided to go to law school in Korea as my future with law school back in the States was uncertain. I got a law degree and got admitted to the bar in Korea. 
 
To get to the point --- I want to work in the United States. I am currently enrolling in a T-14 LL.M. program and there is an option to transfer to JD. I am contemplating whether or not I should do it. I understand that a JD degree is being viewed a lot more favorably by law firms, but that also means two extra years of education for me. I also understand that many foreign students were not able to secure employment because of the Visa requirement. I wonder if I will have a better shot at finding jobs as a U.S. citizen LL.M. graduate with both the US bar and a foreign license to practice law. 
 
____ 
 
TLDR 
US Citizen; South Korean Bar Qualification; LLM at T14 
Will having just an LL.M. allow me to get jobs in the US or should I spend two extra years (and another $100k) to get a JD? [/quote]

quote