Hello,
I am currently in my final year of an undergraduate LLB Law degree in the UK and am conflicted between applying to do a LLM at a US university (Fall 2021) such as USC, or doing the LPC LLM or BPC LLM in the UK, and then doing a masters in US the following year.

I realise the financial demands of a US LLM and I would have liked to have applied earlier this year, preferably to UC Berkeley, but the deadline has now passed. I wanted to know which one to do first, as I really would like to study an LLM in the US and take the california bar exam. Qualifying in the UK is a second priority for me, as I am still unsure whether to become a solicitor or barrister.

If I apply to USC and go this fall 2021, will I get the full US university LLM experience regarding COVID? Also, would'nt doing an US LLM and passing the bar first better aid my vac scheme and TC applications during my LPC, especially to US firms in London? Or work in the US?

Also, I am turning 23 soon and I read that the students on the LLM program are generally older and if I wait till next year, I could apply earlier, to better schools, become more physically and financially ready for a US LLM, and restrictions would be less.

Any advice would be appreciated. Is it worth applying to USC now (April 2021) and paying the full fees for a COVID tainted experience, or do the LPC LLM first then do the US LLM. However, will this mean that I will have 2 LLM degrees and 1 LLB degree? If so, will US colleges allow me to do an LLM if I already have done a LPC LLM?

Kind regards.

Personally, I would opt for the latter. These are unprecedented times, nobody can guarantee a covid-free experience this fall. Qualify in the UK first, then reapply to 'better' schools of your choice the following year.

As for your LPC LLM, I don't think it matters. Many people have applied to US LLMs with an LLM degree already earned elsewhere or from their own countries. As far as I know, some law schools may not consider you if you already have a US LLM. But again, this is school specific.

[Edited by Dragon2021 on Apr 21, 2021]

The students are generally older because the best law schools demand 1-2 years of previous work experience as a prerequisite. However, you might find students with 5-7 years of work experience.

If you are intending to stay at US, I think you should wait, acquire some previous work experience and your degrees in UK, then go to the US LLM. It will counts a lot in the applications and future jobs.

However, if you want to work 1-2 years and returning to London as lawyer of an american law firm, so you might take this moment to qualify in UK.

When hiring someone, the employers probably will choose the american lawyer who did a US JD over the foreign lawyer, except if the foreign offers something different such as work experience in similar role, a degree from the so-called T14 or prestigious local universities (USC, UCLA, Pepperdine in California) or other language like mandarim or portuguese.

Not just the covid, but be aware about lack of options. Further, USC and other universities grant scholarships on a rolling basis, therefore, applying later for fall 2022 will create chances to get scholarship (even if you don’t need, it is always good to get a scholarship).

I would go for fall 2022 with broad range of options, work experience and post-vaccination.

Hey.

As an Indian applicant with a law degree recognised in India, what's the best option to work either in US or the UK? 

I'm with no work experience but have got through some best colleges (for LLM) in the UK & Australia now. Owing to the covid situation and changing dynamics of exam in the UK, that's introduction of SQE, what's the best option to follow? 

Is it better to gain work experience and go for the US LLM to qualify CA/NY bar exam there or is it good to give a shot for SQE? And is it preferred to get a training contract before SQE? 

Please comment and make a fruitful discussion!

[Edited by lucky1997 on May 05, 2021]

Hey.

As an Indian applicant with a law degree recognised in India, what's the best option to work either in US or the UK? 

I'm with no work experience but have got through some best colleges (for LLM) in the UK & Australia now. Owing to the covid situation and changing dynamics of exam in the UK, that's introduction of SQE, what's the best option to follow? 

Is it better to gain work experience and go for the US LLM to qualify CA/NY bar exam there or is it good to give a shot for SQE? And is it preferred to get a training contract before SQE? 

Please comment and make a fruitful discussion!