Hi Everyone,

I noticed after quick browse through the USA thread that most of you have received an offer from one of the most prestigious law schools in US (and had the opportunity to reject some offers!)

As such, based on my academic/professional experience, I am hoping to get some advice with regards to which Law Schools I should be considering to apply to (i.e. should I even consider top-tier ones or just skip to mid-tier ones).

I graduated this year with my JD from University of Queensland (Australia) and was in the top 8%. Currently, I am set to complete my MBA with the same university in a few weeks and anticipate finishing my LLM with Australian National University by mid 08. My prior degree was from University of Wales (UK) in Marketing and I was awarded a overall first class.

In relation to professional experience, I have had 3-years of work experience but all were in non-legal field. However, I have accepted an offer to commence work at a top-tier commercial law firm from Feb 08.

With that said, can anyone advise as to which Universities should i be looking at if I were to be keen to apply for the 2009 intake? Also, should I be looking at gaining entry into a SJD/JSD or LLM program?

Also, my understanding is that most Law Schools in US also require a certain amount of post-admission experience and was wondering if there are more 'academic' focused programs? My intentions would be to become an academic in the long-run and will most probably complete a SJD/JSD/PhD either in US or Australia sometime in the near future.

It would be fantastic if I could get some insight as to my relative standing if I were to be considering studies in the US as I am unsure what academic grades are required for entry. If a lack of post-admission experience is a major problem, I will perhaps have to postpone further studies for a few years.

Many thanks in advance for all your advice!


Regards
Greg

you seem to be a consistently high achiever, I'd give all the top tier schools a go if I were you. Just work out which schools suit your interests best.

Hey hjscotland,

Thanks for that! Do you reckon my lack of work experience in the legal profession would hinder my applications?

Also, which of the top tier schools would you recommend?


Regards
Greg

Hi Greg! Some schools (such as CLS) require a minimum of 1/2 years of working experience, while others (such as Yale) value more the academic background.
As to the top tier schools I believe that hjscotlans makes reference to the well known US News law school rankings (you will find the link here http://www.llm-guide.com/law-school-rankings).
As far as I'm concerned I applied to: CLS, HLS, UPenn, UChicago, DUKE and Georgetown, on the basis of the information provided on their web site and since I believe that, notwithstanding the rankings, all top 15 U.S.Law Schools are higlhy regarded worldwide.
In addition, after the LL.M., I will return to Italy continuing my current job as a Capital Markets lawyer at A&O.
Regards

hi, as a friend earlier expressed his opinion, for you all the top schools are wroth giving a try; you should start from Yale because they have a special focus on making teachers.

there is another program you may consider as an alterantive of SJD/JSD - that is Faculty Fellowship in some of the schools; it will be a non-degree program basically aimed at training the candidate to be a law school teacher.

Hi nriattorney,

Thanks for the reply! :) I was't aware that there was such a program like a 'Faculty Fellowship'. Could you direct me to one of the better law schools that have such a scheme?

Regards
Greg

Hi
You are welcome.
I have recenty read about such a program in two law schools - Temple and Washington University in St Louis.

That apart, there is a Visiting Scholars Program in several top ranking law schools including UPENN, DUKE, GWU AND AU-WCL, which may enable you to spend an year or so in close proximity with the law faculty to carry out publishable research work and pursue your academic interests.

Hi there,

Just 1 quick question - I am not sure if anyone can help me out.

I am just wondering if there are any US universities that are open to having joint-PhD supervision in Law with an Australian University? (i.e. Co-tutelle arrangements).

I am aware that most Australian Universities are open to having such arrangements with another foreign University if a PhD student's topic would clearly benefit from such an agreement. However, I am unaware of any good US Law schools that are willing ot embark on such an arrangement. If anyone can assist, please let me know - I am not referring to those 'Visiting Researcher/Scholar' programs. Such an arrangement, if successful, would lead to both universities name on the parchment.

Many thanks!

A student from India went to George Washington University for his LL.M and was successful in persuading the law school to start a joint program with IIT Kharagpur, India.

The US law schools encourage SJD/JSD students to carry out independent research in an area of their choice; After you join the program, you may surely speak with the Dean to associate with him a professor from one of the law schools in Australia for supervising your work as a Co-guide/superviser.