I would really appreciate your advice : so far I've been accepted to USC for the general LL.M and to Fordham for the IP program. Does anyone have any information about the ranking and which one is better in terms of future-employment?

Hi,

I just have been admitted for Fordham for fall 2010. I was wondering if someone knows when classes start.
Thank you for your reply, J

I would really appreciate your advice : so far I've been accepted to USC for the general LL.M and to Fordham for the IP program. Does anyone have any information about the ranking and which one is better in terms of future-employment?

No idea about the IP program. However, if IP is your area of interest I believe the IP program at Franklin Pierce is pretty good....

Thank you for the tip, although I won't be applying to any more universities. So basically I have to decide between the options that I currently have. Which is a general LL.M versus a specialized one. And different States, rankings etc... it's quite confusing. Are you interested in ip too?

Do you specifically want a degree in IP Law? Many of the classes that Fordham offers are offered at law schools all over the US including USC (e.g. Copyright Law, IP, Patent, Music Law, Entertainment Law, Internet Law, etc.). Do you plan to go back or are you looking for employment in the US? Do you prefer the fast paced New York City lifestyle to a more relaxed LA/California lifestyle?
In SoCal, you'd be able to do a lot of traveling and explore things all year, because of the weather. New York City itself is awesome all-year round, but beyond that you might not want to travel beyond NYC when it's cold and rainy.

You should contact both schools and ask to be put in touch with students who are doing respective programs/ have an interest in IP law. This will likely give you a better idea.

I got my LLM at USC, but I did not have a special interest in IP and probably would not be the best person to help you. All I can say is that there are many classes that you can take that are about IP or relate to it in some way. The one difference here might be that because of the entertainment industry in Hollywood, you will be able to meet and talk to many of the key people in the entertainment industry. It's not pure IP, but a great deal of IP is part of it.
Definitely talk to both schools to get more information.

Good luck!

Fordham is better because you can network in NY more so than SC. Many internships are also available in NY in that area.

hey! I was accepted to Fordham Law School also - pursuing an LLM in Banking, Corporate and Finance Law. Apparently Fordham is No 6 for its LLM's..... the school is in a brilliant location - so networking will be interesting :-D I would seriously consider Fordham.

http://www.thelawjournal.co.uk/Ranking%20LLM%20U.S.%20Programmes%202006.htm

Most recent LLM ranking. Fordham still at No. 6

http://www.auap.com/llm.html

2010 Rankings of American LL.M/Master of Law
1) Cornell University (NY)
2) University of Pennsylvania
3) NYU (NY)
4) Columbia University (NY)
5) Harvard University (MA)
6) Fordham (NY)
7) Boston U. (MA)
8) Duke University (NC)
9) Geroge Washington University (DC)
10) Cardozo Law School Yeshiva University (NY)
11) University of Chicago (IL)
12) Yale (CT)
13) American University (DC)
14) Pennsylvania State University (PA)
15) LSU (LA)
16) UCLA (CA)
17) University of Southern California (CA)
18) Washington University (MO)
19) University of San Diego (CA)
20) Georgetown Universtity* (DC).

Pardon me for my ignorance, but how authentic (in terms of methodology, coverage, etc) are these rankings compared to the US News one?

Apparently this is the only ranking of its kind. This classification is based on the program quality, admissions rate, world image of the university, average starting salary and satisfaction index of international students. This classification is global and does not reflect the comparative strength of each program in a specific field of Law (such as International Civil Law, Taxation, Internet, intellectual property etc.)

Another website which could be deemed more reliable due to its long established history is the financial times.

http://rankings.ft.com/lawschools/llm-2009-listing

Do NOT believe those AUAP LLM rankings. Trust me.

No, tha5 is true. But I also compared it to the The Times and the BBC rankings (I'm British :-D). It is also depends on where you wish to be after the LLM. Good Luck either way :-D

I do not soley rely on the AUP ranking but they could be read with the British Financial Times which is very reputable. I chose Fordham in doing so as well as other research. I graduated from Fordham last May and I am happy with my decision to pursue my degree there.

rankings.ft.com/lawschools/llm-2009-listing

I do not soley rely on the AUP ranking but they could be read with the British Financial Times which is very reputable.

A ranking which places Yale outside the top 10 US programs can only be a joke.

Quick question - For those of you who have attended Fordham - I am curious about the Journal process. How do I become an editor?

Thanks in Advance.

These rankings are BS. They only matter when you pursue a JD degree b/c you are more marketable to potential employers. Utterly useless for LL.M. students, at least when you want to work in the US. What matters more are the connections you can make while you study at the school.

I have to beg to differ. I work with a top legal recruiting agency in New York City. Most hiring partners I have spoken to require you to be ranked highly in class and attended a good school (Most notably I have placed associates from Harvard, Cornel, Fordham, NYU, Columbia ). So not quite sure where you got this information from. Networking is great!

Anyways, if anyone can tell me how to get onto a law journal that would be great :-)

I have to beg to differ. I work with a top legal recruiting agency in New York City. Most hiring partners I have spoken to require you to be ranked highly in class and attended a good school (Most notably I have placed associates from Harvard, Cornel, Fordham, NYU, Columbia ). So not quite sure where you got this information from. Networking is great!

Anyways, if anyone can tell me how to get onto a law journal that would be great :-)