Amicus Partners

As most readers know by now, First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of Indian law graduates who have pursued, or are currently pursuing, a post-graduate course (be it an LLM or otherwise) from different schools across the world.

The FPA (International) is meant to broaden this scope somewhat, getting non-Indian law graduates to discuss their LLM experiences in different law schools across the world. 

Earlier this year, Javiera Moraga Valverde graduated with an LLM from Cornell Law School and is currently working as a Foreign Associate in the international tax team at Grant Herrmann Schwartz & Klinger. In this FPA, the Chilean lawyer shares her reasons for choosing to study in the US, the trials and tribulations of sitting for the NY Bar, and some advice for foreign trained lawyers looking to find employment in the US. 

At what point in your career did you start looking at a US LLM? Was this something you wanted to pursue even while doing the LLB at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile?

I’ve always wanted to come back to the US ever since I spent a year in Chicago when I was 15. That dream stuck with me through law school in Chile, and I started thinking about doing an LL.M abroad. Unfortunately, the high cost of US postgraduate education made me question if this was even an option for me, and I explored alternatives in Europe and Asia.

However, my interest in tax law and the potential career opportunities in the US ultimately led me to seriously consider a US LL.M. The desire to specialize in taxes and work in the US became stronger after working in Chile, which is what pushed me towards applying to US LL.M. programs.

And once you had decided to pursue a US LLM, how did you go about shortlisting where to apply? Why narrow down on Cornell?

Because US LL.M. programs are so expensive, I initially planned to pursue my LL.M in Europe. I even applied to Queen Mary University of London, the University of Bristol, and the University of Amsterdam. But in the back of my mind, I knew I still wanted to try to get into a US Law School, and I had a feeling that this would be possible if I could get enough funding.

With that in mind, I went to the 2022 Education USA LL.M fair in Santiago, Chile, and got application fee waivers from several law schools including Northwestern, NYU, UPenn, and Cornell.

Later that year, I applied to all the schools that offered application fee waivers, and I ended up receiving admissions and scholarships from many of them.

What sealed the deal for Cornell, though, was that a member of their Graduate Legal Studies team flew all the way to Santiago to meet with me in person. That personal touch made a huge difference. The generous scholarship that they offered, which covered a big chunk of my tuition, and the chance to go to an Ivy League school were also major factors.

Slightly off topic, but right after your law degree in Chile, you worked as pro-bono lawyer at a Legal Aid Council – how was that experience, and when did you decide to make the switch to tax laws?

My interest in tax law started during my LL.B. I was a teaching assistant for tax law courses with Professor Eduardo Lagos Lorent, and that really sparked my interest in the more strategic and complex side of law.

After graduating, I did a six-month pro bono placement at the Legal Aid Council —it is important to note that this pro-bono experience is mandatory for becoming a lawyer in Chile— While it was an obligatory requirement, the experience was invaluable for getting hands-on experience with clients, and it confirmed my desire to specialize in tax law.

Working at TH Partners after graduating further solidified that focus.

Coming back to the Cornell LLM – how was the entire LLM experience? What were some of the more rewarding aspects of the LLM? And some of the most challenging?

My LL.M experience at Cornell was both incredibly rewarding and intensely challenging. The specialized tax courses were fantastic, and engaging with renowned faculty was inspiring.

However, the most significant challenges stemmed from the intense academic workload and the difficulties of navigating the US job market as an international student.

Uprooting my life and moving my family to the US was a huge undertaking, and I often questioned my decision to leave behind a comfortable life in Chile.

To make matters worse, Cornell’s career services for LL.M students were severely lacking, offering little to no support. Then I got the devastating news that I was initially deemed ineligible for the New York Bar Exam due to my foreign law degree, and I had to petition the New York Court of Appeals to be able to sit for the NY Bar.

This whole experience taught me resilience and was among the most challenging periods of my life, but it also proved incredibly rewarding. The support of my incredible friends and classmates —who became my family during that difficult time— and the exponential personal growth that I experienced during this challenging period have been truly invaluable and ultimately the most rewarding aspects of this entire journey.

Congratulations on passing the NY Bar – how early did you begin preparing for this? Any advice for foreign-trained lawyers on how to go about the entire Bar prep process?

I had a fairly short timeframe to prepare for the New York Bar Exam—just over two months—but I made it work! My advice to foreign-trained lawyers is to create a structured study plan, use quality bar prep resources though be aware that most commercial bar preps are expensive.

Consider becoming a student representative early in the academic year to get a discount, connect with other foreign-trained lawyers who’ve passed the bar exam, and focus intently on understanding US legal principles and practicing with many questions.

Efficient use of your time is key.

You are currently working at a firm that specializes in international tax – could you tell me a bit about how you went about the employment search? What are the kinds of career services assistance that Cornell provides? Any advice for foreign trained lawyers who are also seeking to work in the US?

Landing this job was all about networking —I started way before I even moved to the US!— I talked to tons of people who had done an LL.M. before, and they all said to be super proactive and to develop a comprehensive job search plan immediately.

Following this guidance, I created a detailed spreadsheet of potential networking contacts, dividing them into two categories: 1) US law firms (listing names, positions, firm details, and contact information of lawyers working in my area of interest, all sourced through online research) and 2) pre-LLM contacts (individuals I already knew or had connections with, in Chile, who could offer insights or referrals).

I then dedicated 1-2 hours daily to crafting personalized emails introducing myself and requesting informational interviews. Over three months, I connected with well over 100 people. These conversations were invaluable, focusing on exploring open positions and securing referrals within their respective firms.

I simultaneously took advantage of every networking opportunity Cornell offered—attending mixers, seminars, and any other event that might help me connect with practicing attorneys.

While Cornell did provide some resources, such as workshops and online job boards, their career services, unfortunately, fell short in terms of specific support for international students in their job placement. I am convinced that my success (and the success of my classmates who also secured a post-graduation job in the US) was directly attributable to extensive networking efforts, coupled with effectively highlighting our unique background and experience.

For foreign-trained lawyers seeking US positions, I strongly recommend a highly proactive, strategic job search. Prioritize networking, emphasize your unique skillset and international perspective, and remember these simple but powerful tips: always carry professional business cards (I found the pre-printed Cornell cards difficult to read, so I designed my own), prepare all essential application materials (resume tailored for the US market, customized cover letters, list of references, official transcripts, and a strong writing sample) long before you need them, and frequently consult Georgetown Law’s excellent LL.M. career manual—it’s a tremendously helpful resource.

Lastly, any advice for law graduates from around the world who are looking to pursue a US LLM?

I know how challenging and overwhelming can be once to decide to pursue a US LL.M. Here’s what I’d advise to anyone who is thinking of following such a path:

• Research programs carefully: Find ones that really fit your goals, considering financial, academic, and other factors —check out the professors, the courses they offer, and how well they support international students.
• Get some work experience: Having solid work experience under your belt before you apply makes you a much stronger candidate.
• Be ready for a challenge: LL.M. programs can be tough, especially because they are usually very condensed in time, so be prepared for a heavy workload and have a full plate for at least a year!
• Network like crazy: Start building your professional network now, don’t wait until you start your LL.M. I always say that having friends is way more important than having money. Cultivate your relationships and nurture them. A call to one person could be the one that makes a difference!