I am an Australian Law and Commerce graduate considering undertaking an LLM in the US, hopefully somewhere in Boston or New York. I have around a 3.4 GPA in Law and 3.6 in Commerce.

My question is, assuming I get accepted in to and complete an LLM, and go on to pass the Bar in either state, what are the employment opportunities in the US?

In other words, does the supply of law graduates often greatly outweigh the demand, especially taking into consideration the fact that my law degree is from Australia?

Dear Katty

Your in luck, because there's a big demand for Aus LLBs in NY especially in Corp Law. There's direct requriement drives and UNSW, Usyd etc by big firms like White & Case.

It helps if your have experience in corporate law in Australia from a top tier firm, a LLB from a top tier Uni and kick ass LLM (ie top US 13).

LLMs always complain that they can't find a job. But I would say if you fit the above profile, you would not have a problem. LLMs in US have problem finding a job becuase of the following reasons:

THEY CAN'T SPEAK ENGLISH/ AMERICAN (a least not with an accent). Sorry to all the folks out there who's English is not great (not trying to offend you guys). The point is this: US lawyers are expected to be extremely articulate. An LLM student from a Civil Law country (or India/Pakistan) might be highly capable and have top notch experience. But US Partners are rarely comfortable with your "Foreigness". Have you seen the way American make fun of foreign people, especially the ones who can't speak English?

I spoke to many Partners at US law firms and the consensus is: they love top common law graduates with US LLM from top US law schools (especially the one with some corporate law experience). If your from a Civil Law country, you might only be able to find work with a US firm in your home country (unless you go to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, CLS for your LLM).

So to sum up Katty, I think doing an LLM is wise particularly if you want to end up in the US. Depending on your experience and your Aus Law school, you have a very decent job at landing a gig in the US. BTW which Uni did you do your LLB?

Sorry bout the spelling mistakes. I don't like proof reading.

Booya!

avonlday, thanks.

When you say that the common law LLB's are preferred and civil law LLB's may encounter problems, how does Israeli LLB from top israeli uni is regarded in this sense ?

And when you say top 13 universities, you mean the US News rankings ? in other words, going to GWU or BU is a big mistake if you want to have strong opportunities to land a job ?

thanks for the information.

I'm not sure about the Israeli legal system and how US Partners feel towards it. But if US Partners frequently poach Israeli lawyers 2-4PAE to work in US, then you would be in a strong position to land a gig (probably not as good as UK/AUs though)

As to LLMs, obviously the higher ranked the better, but you have to chose the one that fits into your needs considering location, $, specialisation etc. GWU and BU are reputable institutions (not as bad ass as Harvard but still pretty damn good). If you get admitted (with $) I would go. Just get good marks and network once you're in.

Thanks, that's very helpful. I got admitted to GWU with no scholarship decision yet and to BU with a certain scholarship...

I'm contemplating whether it'll be worth it if I'm not accepted to higher ranked schools, and whether there's any reason to accept one of those over, for example, Duke or Berkeley, which are higher ranked. I also applied for the 3-4 top universities....

Thanks for writing back so quickly it was much appreciated.

I went to University of Adelaide... it is the best law school in South Australia, my home state. I have also completed two summer internships, both in commerical litigation at reasonably good firms, but also, again not the best.

Now I just have to get the applications off soon I guess, as it is getting kind of late. Just have to write the admissions essays which I am finding somewhat painful. How important are they.. and I guess... are they meant to overly original and inspirational? or more just a direct response to the question.. why do you want to do an LLM (generally that is what they are all about!)

Thanks again!

I feel like I may have downplayed my univeristy a little bit. It is one of the top 8 law schools in the country. In regards to which firms are recruiting us Aussies, do you know which ones, or perhaps if not, are you able to point me in the direction of a resource where I could find out?

Just out of interest, did you do an LLM, or are you now working in the US? How did you go about forming contacts within the legal profession. I believe that often this is the greatest way to gain employement, and would love to start networking early (ie before I even started my LLM)

Thanks again!!

I know of a few US (not UK) international law firms that consider graduates directly out of LAw School. They had recrutiment ads in UNSW, Usyd, not sure about others.

Ad Uni is great (best in SA). you seem like a great candidiate. As to getting in conact, i would suggest calling the firms up directly.

In all honesty, unless you're top 10% of graduating class, chances are they won't care about you (my grades are shit by the way---I went to UNSW). So doing LLM US is good idea.

Personal statements are a motherfucker. I spend way too long, and just wrote a bunch of crap.

BTW a bunch of people from this forum got all offended because I siad that LLbs from common law countrys are in a better position in getting a job in US. It's a market fact, i did my research. cry me a river.

I agree with what you are saying. My grades aren't awful, but as you said.. not top 10% either. So did you end up getting accepted to an LLM? Where did you go if you did, and how is it?

Still applying, waitlisted at a few. Fingers crossed.