First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of Indian graduates who have pursued, or are pursuing, a post-graduate course (LL.M. or otherwise) from different universities across the world.
Sruthi Srinivasan completed the LL.M. in Commerce and Technology Law from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law in 2017. A law graduate from ILS Pune (’13), Sruthi worked as an in-house lawyer as well as a litigation counsel before embarking on the LL.M.
You have already discussed quite a bit about your LLM in the Legal Desire interview, so won’t repeat the questions. Nearly three years after the interview, what is your opinion of the Franklin Pierce LLM?
The FPLC LLM is one of the best programs offered in the US as classroom sessions are practical and there is a high possibility of the same getting translated into work place scenarios.
Course work can be personalized post discussion with the Graduate Program Director and that offers one the flexibility to take up regular courses along with some new age cutting edge ones such as Information Age Commercial laws etc.
Recently about 40 alumni based in Mumbai and Delhi met with Dean Megan Carpenter. Dean Megan Carpenter is an internationally known expert in IP and is great addition to FPLC.
What were some of the schools apart from Franklin Pierce that you applied to?
I had applied to law schools in the East Coast only, as I am well acclimatized to the East Coast. I had applied to:
- Northeastern University School of Law
- Boston College of Law
- Suffolk University School of Law
- University of Connecticut School of Law
I got an admit with scholarship/financial aid from all the schools.
In hindsight, was there something that you would have done differently when it came to the LLM experience?
Nothing. I had planned and prepared 4 months in advance for funding, graduate scholarships etc. That involved mostly researching schools and speaking to the alumni of each school. I was comfortable with FPLC and decided to go for it.
How has the LLM helped you in your professional growth?
Post coming back, I have worked with a major fashion platform and currently am at a global role in an engineering services outsourcing and product development IT services for the global manufacturing industry. The LLM has allowed me to diversify and has opened arenas.
And lastly, what advice would you have for the Indian law graduate who may be considering a master’s abroad?
Please start the preparation for a master’s program at least 4-6 months early before the deadline. If you are applying to schools that need LSAC, WES etc that requires coordination and paperwork from the university one graduated from in India(which takes time).
“Please start the preparation for a master’s program at least 4-6 months early before the deadline.”
If one is looking for funding then that requires additional time to ensure SOP’s, LOR’s and other graduate essay’s for funding/scholarship requirement are completed. For LLM’s looking to stay back in the US, please contact the International Student Advisor of your respective universities at least one semester ahead.
For LLM folks considering the bar exam in US, evaluation process has to begin in the first semester itself as that again takes time and involves coordination with your University in India.