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Will Going Back to School to Get an LL.M. Open up Doors for Me in the Future?

published January 07, 2013

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left
Published By
( 4 votes, average: 3.9 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Question:

 I'm currently practicing as a junior litigator at a mid-size firm in New York. I am not happy and would love to switch firms. Unfortunately, the litigation market is really competitive and I can't get a single interview. I'm thinking of going back to school to get an LL.M. Do you think this will open up doors for me in the future?

Answer:


Frustrated job seekers frequently ask me if they should go back to law school to "master" in a certain area of the law. My advice to them is – don't waste your money. Unless you are a foreign trained attorney or plan on getting an LL.M in tax from NYU, Georgetown or Florida – an LLM degree is not going to help you land a new job and it might actually hurt you. Employers find it suspect when a candidate leaves his or her job to return to school. Often employers will automatically assume you were fired, couldn't find another job and ended up enrolling in an LLM program with the hope of jump starting your career post graduation. With the exception of a tax LLM, I have never had an employer request that a candidate hold an LLM degree.

If you are having a hard time finding another litigation position and you absolutely cannot stand to be at your firm while you wait for the market to pick up, I would suggest that you apply for a federal clerkship. A clerkship will enhance your resume (as well as your legal skills) and make you more attractive to future employers. Keep in mind that clerkships are competitive – so work your connections and personal networks.

Thinking about pursuing LL.M. career opportunities? See if an LL.M. degree is right for you.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.

published January 07, 2013

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left
( 4 votes, average: 3.9 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.