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  • First Person Accounts: Angela Dsouza on the Intellectual Property LL.M. at Queen Mary University of London

    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.

    Angela Dsouza is a 2019 LL.M. graduate of Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) where she opted for the Intellectual Property LL.M. In this FPA, she discusses why she opted for an LL.M. right after her undergraduate degree from Christ (Deemed) University, the differences in the learning experiences, the LL.M. application itself, and a whole lot more.

    Angela Dsouza is a 2019 LL.M. graduate of Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) where she opted for the Intellectual Property LL.M.
    Angela Dsouza

    At what point in your undergraduate program did you decide to do a Master’s? And how early did you begin the application process?

    My decision to pursue a Master’s in intellectual property law largely stemmed from the experience that I gained from internships in the third year of my law school program. During the third year, I had the opportunity to intern with an IP law firm as well as the Centre for Intellectual Property Research and Advocacy, National Law School of India University Bangalore.

    Both these internships not only enabled me to acquaint myself with intellectual property law but also allowed me to gain an insight into the plausible career options that one may opt for through the pursuit of intellectual property law, in this case, legal practice and research respectively.

    My experience, therefore, sparked my interest in the subject, and the same was only bolstered by IP law and optional subjects such as copyright law being a part of the undergraduate curriculum. This resulted in me wanting to pursue a career in intellectual property law, thereby motivating me to pursue a Masters in the same.

    The application process began in the penultimate year of law school by actively researching about plausible universities, the courses offered by them, the course structure, and the pedagogy. In pursuance of the same, I attended several university/ education fairs that were conducted by various organizations.

    Participation in these fairs proved to be extremely beneficial; not only did they enable me to gain further information about prospective universities and have my queries answered, but they also allowed me to interact with the members of the admissions team of different universities. This in turn allowed me to gain a better insight into the admission process as well as learn about life at the university.

    This was then followed by the drafting and submitting of applications and other necessary documents, including but not limited to the Statement of Purpose, writing samples, etc. (as the case may be).

    I chose to apply early and was able to secure a conditional offer in November 2017 (almost nine months before the start of the course).

    Given the specialized nature of your LL.M., what were the other schools that you applied to? What got you to narrow down on QMUL?

    Apart from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), I chose to apply to the University of Leeds, University of Glasgow, University of Kent, Trinity College Dublin, and King’s College of London. I was able to secure an offer from all of them, except for King’s College of London.

    While each of the universities that I received an offer from had an excellent curriculum backed by a highly-qualified faculty, the subjects offered by QMUL played a key factor in my decision to narrow down on QMUL. The University offers a plethora of courses under the gamut of intellectual property law; the courses range from traditional subsets of IP law such as Geographical Indications and Trade Mark Law to contemporary areas such as Music Industry Contracts, Intellectual Property Taxation, and Digital Intellectual Property Law.

    The course options, therefore, not only present an exciting meld but also allow students the opportunity to opt for a bespoke course by choosing subjects that align with their interests and career motivations.

    Besides, the events conducted by the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) which include guest lectures, visit to a law firm, etc. not only allow students to better hone their skills but also provide many networking opportunities. This too played an important factor in narrowing down to QMUL to pursue my Master’s.

    Did you apply for or receive financial aid?

    While I did apply for financial aid, I was unable to meet the requisites for the same and therefore, did not receive it.

    Looking back, what were some of the bigger differences between your undergraduate and postgraduate learning experiences?

    At the outset, I wish to state that the following answer is solely based on my experience and it does not, in any way, intend to undermine the curriculum or pedagogy of any specific university or Indian universities in general.

    My postgraduate experience has been very different from my undergraduate learning experience. For instance, as previously stated, the postgraduate course offered students to choose from a variety of subjects per their interests and career motivations. On the contrary, while certain subjects were mandatory during the undergraduate program, the optional subjects offered were rather limited in number and at times, did not cater to the interests of the students.

    The greatest difference, however, lay with how classes were conducted and the examination structure/ process. The lectures were always interactive with the professors constantly encouraging discussions on the topic for the day. Further, since the class comprised of students from different nationalities, discussions often entailed glimpses of the law from the respective nations, thereby allowing students to garner a global outlook on the different aspects of intellectual property law.

    The examinations entailed one of the following methods – a traditional examination (open book/ closed book), a take-home test, or a paper submission. All these methods allowed for students to think outside the box (through problem-based questions and contemporary topics), thereby encouraging them to draw from their experiences and respective national laws to present their opinions and further their research and discussion on the topic in consideration.

    How do you think the LL.M. helped you in your personal and professional growth?

    The LL.M. experience proved to be pivotal to my personal and professional growth. For starters, traveling to London for the course happened to be the first time that I was traveling alone. As a consequence, it enabled me to gain confidence and not be fazed in case of eventualities. Further, living in London allowed me to hone my skills in managing time and finances.

    Considering professional growth, the course was vital in bolstering my research and writing skills. Also, the varied nature of the subjects offered allowed me to acquaint myself with the diverse areas of intellectual property law, thereby expanding my knowledge on the subject. Lastly, the events organized by the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) allowed me to partake in different activities and network with people from different areas of the legal industry.

     What were some of your expectations from the LL.M. and were these expectations met?

    My expectations from the LL.M. program were largely centered around the course and its wide range of subjects, and I must say that the program surpassed my expectations. Not only did the program allow me to choose from a wide range of interesting subjects, but the experience of studying the same was also noteworthy.

    For instance, in the second semester of the course, I opted for the subject titled Music Industry Contracts. As a part of the course, we had guest lectures from various members of the music industry, including but not limited to artists, artist managers, and even lawyers working with Warner Brothers. This not only allowed us to gain an insight into their perspective and concerns with respect to contracts that form an integral part of the music industry but also allowed us an opportunity to network with them.

    Likewise, in the Law of Geographical Indications class, students of different nationalities presented on the prevailing GI laws of their nations while also sharing traditional food from their nations that have acquired a GI tag.

    To put it succinctly, I expected the course to be engaging and intellectually stimulating, and it most certainly was.

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who is considering a foreign Master’s?

    I would say that the first thing that a future applicant or candidate should be mindful of while considering a foreign Master’s is to introspect and have a clear idea of their career motivations and the course that they wish to opt for.

    While an LL.M. is indeed valuable, one cannot deny that the same is a costly affair and therefore, adequate thought must be put into considering the course of choice.

    Second, it is essential that one conducts proper research of the prospective universities and narrow it down to a select list of universities to apply to. Very often, to have a back-up plan, students tend to apply to a wide number of universities. This proves detrimental for several reasons; not only does it increase the labor through the submission of multiple applications, but it may also result in a decline in the quality of applications that are submitted by an individual.

    Therefore, I believe that it is ideal that one has a select list of universities and ensure that the applications and necessary documents submitted to the same are well drafted. In light of the same, it is also essential to note that the Statement of Purpose submitted to each university should be customized according to the university and one should avoid having a general Statement of Purpose that applies to all universities. The Office of Admissions does read the Statement of Purpose and it is, therefore, vital that one clearly express their intent to study in that specific university.

    Lastly, I would say that it is ideal that one apply as early as possible to avoid last-minute hassles, delays, and to leave ample time to choose between different universities in the event of multiple applications and offers.

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  • First Person Accounts (International): Fidan Abdurrahimli on the LL.M. in International Human Rights at Lund University

    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 LL.M. 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 LL.M. experiences in different law schools from across the world. The idea behind the FPA(I) interviews is to help the Indian law graduate better understand her potential cohort, and also expand the LL.M. conversation in general.

    Fidan Abdurrahimli is a law graduate from Azerbaijan who enrolled for the LL.M. in International Human Rights Law offered by Lund University. In this FPA, Fidan shares her reasons for choosing this particular course, her expectations from the LL.M. itself, as well as the challenges and joys of pursuing a master’s degree outside your home country. 

    Fidan Abdurrahimli is a law graduate from Azerbaijan who enrolled for the LL.M. in International Human Rights Law offered by Lund University.
    Fidan Abdurrahimli

    Stepping away from the LL.M. for a moment – how is the situation in your home country now? Do you foresee any fresh violence in the near future?

    I guess by “violence” you mean the military actions of occupants and/or separatist in Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Probably, you are informed that a trilateral declaration has been signed by the governments of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia in November.

    Although the active phase of the conflict has ended, incidents are recorded in the conflict zone from time to time.

    There are still some armed Armenian volunteers/soldiers hiding in the areas liberated from the occupation and they try to attack Azerbaijani positions and servicemen. I do not think that there will be a new escalation in the near future, at least due to the presence of the Russian peacekeepers in the field, but I think that the problem has not been completely solved yet: there are still unanswered questions.

    We have to be a bit more patient to see what the time brings. Hopefully, everything will be good and everyone will live in peace in the region.

    What got you interested in the study of law? And, once you had worked for a while, what made you consider a master’s abroad?

    It may sound cliché, but I decided to become a lawyer in my early teenage years even though my understanding of law was limited then. I think growing up in a country with many problems (newly independent state, war, economic crisis, political instabilities, social problems etc.) and the feeling to fight for justice living inside me brought me to this field.

    When I was at law school, I was glad that I had made the right choice.

    Law completes me.

    I was considering studying abroad even in my secondary school years. After graduation from law school, I felt that this was not enough; I had to continue and advance my knowledge. To be honest, I was not completely satisfied with the quality of the bachelor education too. I was eager to learn more and get acquainted with western legal education.

    Before choosing a specific field of law that I wanted to specialise in, I thought that I needed to work and get some legal practice. So, I worked almost for three years before pursuing my master education in Sweden.

    Given your field of interest, international human rights, what were the other schools that you applied to? Why narrow down on Lund University?

    To be honest, considering several factors, which were making studying law in Sweden appealing to me, I applied for law schools in Sweden. The LL.M programme in International Human Rights Law at Lund University was my first choice as I had a deep interest and wanted to specialise in this field.

    My second preference was the European Business Law programme, again at Lund University. The third and fourth programmes were Intellectual Property Law at Uppsala University and International Commercial Arbitration at Stockholm University.

    To narrow down on Lund University, I was helped not only by academic indicators of the university but also Lund as a city. Lund University is among the top 100 world universities and the best in Sweden. Also, the LL.M programme in International Human Rights Law that Lund University offers is among the top 10 in this field in Europe. Furthermore, Lund is a small and lovely student city in the south of Sweden which makes its climate milder than in the north.  Last but not least, living expenses in Lund are more affordable than those in the big cities.

    All these facts helped me to prioritise Lund University over others.

    What were some of your expectations from the LLM program, and were these met?

    High-quality legal education was my biggest expectation of studying in Sweden. Also, I was hoping to improve my legal and social skills and to gain new ones. And yes, absolutely, the two years’ master programme met all my expectations. In addition to obtaining high-quality education, I strengthened my legal skills, such as legal argumentation, research, legal writing etc., and widened my horizons in different ways.

    Did you apply for/receive financial aid?

    Yes, I applied for the Swedish Institute Scholarships. The Visby Programme Scholarship was one of the scholarship programs offered by the Swedish Institute. This scholarship was designed for the citizens of 7 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.

    Each year, around 65 students in total from these countries were awarded the scholarship. I was extremely happy and proud to be one of those chosen students. The scholarship included tuition fee, monthly living allowance, medical insurance, travel grants and membership to the scholarship holders’ network.

    How was the LL.M. experience itself? How did you find yourself using your work experience to support your studies at university?

    I loved my time at Lund University and in Sweden generally. It created memories that will last my entire life. The academic atmosphere was very different than what I used to have back in my country.

    All exams were take-home, the academic staff was very helpful and friendly, we were focusing only on a course during a term which was helping us to dig deeper on that specific subject, teamwork was an important element of our studies, reading materials were announced beforehand and we were going to the lectures prepared which were making the classes more interactive etc.

    You are not approached as a student only but also as an individual whose opinions are important and valued.

    Actually, my professional experience was not directly related to the human rights law but working as a lawyer I gained some skills naturally, such as problem-solving, which helped me especially during the exams. This experience allowed me to approach the scenario-based exam questions as real legal questions that needed to be solved.

    Lastly, would you have any advice for the foreign trained lawyer who is considering a master’s abroad?

    I think it is always good to study abroad if you have an opportunity. Maybe, you will not use in your country all the knowledge you got abroad due to objective reasons, but the environment in a foreign country itself also brings such advantages that you will benefit from in one or another way either in your professional career or personal/social life.

    I would advise those who want to pursue a master’s degree in law abroad to firstly decide which field of law they want to specialize in. This is important because having a strong interest in a specific field will help you to overcome the difficulties that you may encounter in your studies.

    Then, you need to make comprehensive research to find out the universities that offer those programmes. LLM Guide is a useful platform for this end.

    Never stop believing in your capacity and ability, you will need them when you are away from home. 

    It is not easy to move abroad; it comes with challenges. It is not an exception that a disparate country, people, culture, long hours of study and stressful exam periods may overwhelm you sometimes, but do you not think that it is also a good way to discover yourself and develop your personality while overcoming these challenges?

    Believe me, it is worth each second. 

    At the end, you will enjoy every bit of your hard work.

    Good luck to everyone!

     

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  • Interested in a foreign LL.M. in Asia? These are the law schools you should look at.

    Interested in a foreign LL.M. in Asia? These are the law schools you should look at.

    – Harsh Mahaseth & Anuj Agrawal

    When it comes to the region of choice for LL.M. applicants, the US and the UK are two of the most popular. While there are plenty of good law schools in both, it should be pointed out that there are some equally good law schools in our own backyard. Asian universities regularly feature in the best law schools of the world, and even if you are not into rankings, these universities merit a second look for anyone interested in an LL.M. abroad.

    Apart from the high quality of education, Asian universities also offer other advantages such as their strategic location, relatively lower tuition, and a culturally diverse environment. 

    So, if you are thinking about pursuing an LL.M. in Asia, here is a list of universities that we think you should take a look at. Do note that this list is not meant to be an exhaustive one; the idea is to highlight the fact that there are some amazing law schools in this region.

    Singapore

    Singapore | Photo by Kelvin Zyteng on Unsplash

    Singapore is one of the most developed nations in Asia, and it has a strong educational system. It is no surprise that it also houses two of the top law schools of Asia, namely:

    1. The National University of Singapore

    The National University of Singapore ranks as the best law school in Asia and #12 in the world. It has a range of LLM programmes including specializations in Asian Legal Studies, Maritime Law, Intellectual Property & Technology Law, International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution, etc. all of which are ranked among the top universities for these specializations.

    The NUS faculty has professors from all around the world, and many more visiting each semester, making it a perfect environment for specializations such as Asian Legal Studies, or International and Comparative Law.

    As Singapore is a huge hub for international arbitration, the specialization in International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution has some of the world’s leading academicians and practitioners teaching the course. 

    2.Singapore Management University

    Although not as popular or well-known as NUS, the Singapore Management University is certainly worth a closer examination. The University has an interesting Cross-Border and Finance Law in Asia LL.M. Programme as well as  Dual LLM Programme in Commercial Law with degrees from SMU and the Queen Mary University of London.

    If you are interested, you can even take a look at the SMU JD course as this Indian law graduate did. 

    Malaysia

    The Petronas Towers | Photo by Vlad Shapochnikov on Unsplash

    1. University of Malaya

    The best university in Malaysia and within the Top 100 ranked law schools in the world, the University of Malaya has a long and rich history. Have a look at their LLM programme with interesting courses such as Media Law, Biosafety Law, International Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law, Nano Technology and Policy, etc.

    2. Taylor’s University

    This top-ranked private university in Malaysia, Taylor’s University offers 2 interesting niche specializations – International Business and Trade Law, and Healthcare and Medical Law.

    Also read: Our interview of Puteri S. the LLM Program Director at Taylor’s University

    Hong Kong

    Hong Kong | Photo by Tim Durgan on Unsplash

    Although currently in the midsts of social and political uncertainty, Hong Kong has consistently been one of the best Asian countries for education. The three law schools in the nation all rank within the top 100 law schools in the world.

    1. University of Hong Kong

    Ranked as the second-best law school in Asia and #19 in the world, the University of Hong Kong offers several specialised master’s courses. With a strong programme in Arbitration & Dispute Resolution and Hong Kong being one of the biggest international arbitration hubs, the LLM (Arb&DR) has huge potential for students interested in this area.

    The university also has several other interesting programmes such as the LLM(Human Rights), LLM(Medical Ethic and Laws), LLM(Compliance and Regulation), etc. and also the possibilities of full scholarships.

    Also see: FPA of Hussain Somji, LL.M. in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, HKU

    2. Chinese University of Hong Kong

    The University offers interesting specializations such as International Economic Law, and Energy and Environmental Law, and even a Common Law specialization for students who want to learn more about the Common Law Legal System.

    Apart from the courses, the work at the different centres could be of interest too.

    3. City University of Hong Kong

    The University offers interesting specializations such as International Economic Law, Corporate and Commercial Law, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, and even a Common Law specialization for students who want to learn more about the Common Law Legal System.

    Japan

    Mt. Fuji | Photo by JJ Ying on Unsplash

    Japan has a rich culture and the same goes for its law schools. There are also a lot of scholarships for international students who want to study in Japan. While the opportunities for foreign trained lawyers are few and far between, Japan can still be a wise choice given the country’s economic prowess. 

    1. Kyushu University

    The LLM is a one-year degree program taught entirely in English. The diversity of both the faculty and student body ensures a unique educational experience at one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious national universities. Also, do have a look at the ADB Scholarship, which is a fully-funded opportunity.

    2. Keio University Law School

    A fairly recent introduction, the LL.M. in Global Legal Practice at Keio University is an interesting programme that has managed to garner a global alumni in a short amount of time. The fact that the diversity is also reflected in the faculty, is another reason for giving this course a deeper look. 

    South Korea

    Photo by Stephanie Nakagawa on Unsplash

    South Korea is an interesting nation with a fusion of culture and technology. There are also a lot of scholarships for international students who want to study in South Korea.

    1. Seoul National University

    Since its foundation in 1895, Seoul National University has been one of the leaders in advancing legal scholarship and education in Asia. Ranked 38 in the world, SNU has a prestigious LLM programme with fierce competition for every slot.

    The course offers numerous specializations including Constitutional Law, Civil Law, International Law, Social Law, Commerical Law, etc. Do note that the LL.M. at SNU is a two-year course.

    Also read:  FPA with Shubhi Pandey, LL.M. candidate at SNU

    2. Korea University

    For over 110 years, Korea University has been making history. It has been at the forefront of academic excellence. Do have a look at their different courses, including an interesting JSD program.

    China

    The Great Wall of China | Photo by Robert Nyman on Unsplash

    China is a global superpower, and any expertise in the country will be of immense value to the global lawyer of tomorrow. The country has recently started opening its borders, and now houses a number  institutions which are providing quality legal education. There are also a lot of scholarships for international students who want to study in China.

    1. Peking University

    One of the first law schools in China, Peking University has an LLM program and one in Chinese Law. Do note that the LL.M. is a two-year program with the LL.M. (IP) a three-year programme. 

    Also read: An Interview with Cole Agar, School of Transnational Law at Peking University

    2. Tsinghua University

     

    Tsinghua is one of the premier institutions in China. Check out the International Arbitration & Dispute Settlement program at the University.

    Sri Lanka

    Lotus Tower, Colombo | Photo by Jalitha Hewage on Unsplash

    University of Colombo

    With a long and rich history, the University of Colombo has a prestigious LL.M. programme and an illustrious list of professors and alumni members.

    (Lead image by Jéan Béller on Unsplash)

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  • First Person Accounts (International): Yasmeen Eesa on the LL.M. at Syracuse College of Law, US Bar qualifications

    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 LL.M. experiences in different law schools from across the world. The idea behind the FPA(I) interviews is to help the Indian law graduate better understand her potential cohort, and also expand the LL.M. conversation in general.

    Yasmeen Eesa is a Syrian law graduate who completed an LL.M. from the Syracuse University College of Law in 2019. She is also qualified to practice in the states of New York and Texas. In this interview, she discusses her reasons for enrolling for a US master’s, the US Bar qualification route, and a whole lot more.  

    Yasmeen Eesa is a Syrian law graduate who completed an LL.M. from the Syracuse University College of Law in 2019.
    Yasmeen Eesa

    Let’s start at the start – what got you looking at a foreign LL.M. 

    Many reasons can push you to pursue an LLM degree in foreign law, and people differ in their grounds. Some choose to study the LLM because they want to advance their career; others look forward to expanding their career to be an international job. Lawyering is one of the essential things in my life since I was a child.

    Of course, I want to pursue an LLM degree for the same reasons mentioned above, but lawyering is the primary goal. Since I live in the United States, I wanted to get back to my job as an attorney, and one of the paths to achieve this goal is getting an LLM degree in US law and pass the bar exam. For these reasons, I had to start thinking of pursuing an LLM degree in US law. 

    How did you go about deciding just where to apply? What made you narrow down on Syracuse? 

    When you start searching for an LLM program, many factors can affect your choice, and everyone should choose the LLM program based on their goal. Having good tutors and the quality of teaching can have a significant impact on my decision. Also, the diversity and flexibility of the courses are essential.

    Syracuse law school has diverse courses and professional professors who lead you to success if you have the intention to do so and work hard on your self. Another reason we cannot overlook is the support and financial aid. Syracuse law school offers partial scholarships, and this can really help a lot of people.

    After attending Syracuse law school, I would add the friendly staff and professors who try their best to make you feel like you are home and with your family. Another important reason that can get you to choose Syracuse law school is the diversity between students. Here, you can find students from many countries, states, religions and races, and we can not forget how affordable and beautiful is the city of Syracuse. Syracuse city is affordable and suitable for studying, especially in winter when you have time to study more than having time to go out. Many people now will consider the school since the the president elect Joe Biden graduated from Syracuse law school. 

    Looking back, how was the LL.M. experience itself? What were some of the most rewarding aspects of the course? 

    From my experience in the LLM program, it is incredible how you can attend the courses with attorneys from all over the world besides the United States. Hearing different perspectives, opinions, rules, cases, learn from professors, share knowledge, tradition and experiences with many people from different countries.

    It was great for me.

    The LLM program changed the way that I think in some parts. For instance, I was attracted more to business law. After taking courses in business law for the bar exam, I found the business courses interesting, especially in the United States, which has one of the world’s most important economies. It is normal to change your way of thinking or career based on the courses you take, and you like. You do not have to stick to the same field you already practiced. For me, learning a new specialty is exciting and can widen your knowledge and experience in your life. 

    Given the short nature of the course, how do you think an LL.M. candidate can make the most of the course? 

    As you mentioned, the LLM program is concise compared to the JD program, and this makes taking the bar exam more challenging to the LLM students than the JD students. We can not overlook the language since most of the students are foreign, and English is not their native language, making things more demanding and more challenging.

    My first advice would be to strengthen your English before starting the LLM program, and it would be great if you start reading some legal books and novels. Working on your English, especially the legal terms, would offer you more time in the LLM program to focus on the course’s content more than focusing on learning English. In my opinion, this would be the most important thing to work on before starting, and I mean by strong or good English is to get at least six or preferably 6.5 in the IELTS exam to be fair.

    Your next step would be to know your goal. To benefit from the LLM course the most, you should know your plan because if your goal is to take the bar exam, the way you will benefit from the LLM course will be different from people who want to study the LLM and get back to their home countries. If you’re going to take the bar exam, it is essential to choose most of your courses from the highly tested courses on the Bar Exam. That would be precious.

    For attorneys who want to get back to their countries, they tend to choose courses that support their careers, such as human rights and International law, which are not tested on the bar exam. This way, you will focus on your goal to get the most benefit of the LLM course. 

    Thus far, you have managed to clear the Texas Bar as well as the NY Bar Could you tell me what was the process for the Texas Bar? And how did you go about preparing for the exam itself? 

    In my opinion, preparing for the Bar Exam starts while you are taking the LLM course, and that’s why I said you should decide your goal at the beginning of the LLM program. Taking classes that are highly tested on the Bar Exam will help prepare for the Exam. Taking legal writing will also reinforce your ability to pass the writing part of the bar exam.

    Of course, even if you did not do all the preparation that I mentioned, you can still pass the bar exam, but you spend more time, money and effort to achieve your goal. Another critical thing to do is to choose the right Bar preparation course that is suitable for you. Each course has a different plan, and selecting a good plan will help you succeed. When you choose the bar preparation course, there will be a plan that will lead your way and give you advice on how to finish the course on time to be ready for your exam.

    For the New York Bar, you have to achieve a score of 266 in the bar exam to pass and be eligible to be a licensed attorney. The process starts when you finish your LLM.

    The requirement that you have to achieve to be eligible to take the Bar Exam differs depending on which country you got your law degree. And whether your law school is English based school or not. You need to apply for the Bar Exam early because sometimes it can take up to one year to get the Bar association approval. Passing the Bar Exam is one of the requirements to be a licensed attorney in the United States. There are other Exams, such as The MPRE and the NYLE.

    You have to pass these exams beside the bar exam. Do not forget the pro bono hours where you need to volunteer 50 hours of legal work under an attorney’s supervision. You can find all this information on the Bar association website because they go case by case, and it is essential to know your case. After passing the Bar Exam, I applied to the Texas Bar, and I became licensed in Both New York and Texas. By transferring my New York score to Texas, I got my Texas License, but be careful you can not transfer your New York Score to Texas unless you achieved all the Texas requirements and achieve the required Texas score of the Bar Exam.

    I cannot walk you through all the details, but I am trying to give the most important things and always check for any changes significantly during the covid 19 pandemics since they made many changes. 

    What is your reading of the employment opportunities for a foreign trained LL.M. graduate in the US? 

    I did not apply for a job yet since my children have an online school, and I have to help them, but I believe that the United States is the land of opportunities. Also, I always think that a successful person can be successful in any place, no matter the circumstances. I know many LLM students who graduated from the LLM program and find a job immediately after graduation. I love the United States because when you work hard, you can see your hard work pay off. 

    Lastly, any advice for a foreign-trained lawyer who is considering a US LL.M.? 

    Always follow your dream.

    If you feel that you want to study the LLM, work hard to achieve this dream. However, do not forget that each person is different, and you can always create your success and experience. When you do something, try to do it in your way, the way that works for you, because what works for others may do not work for you always.

    For those who are taking the bar exam, try to organize your time to work for you. Do not just follow what other people do. Create your way of studying. Best of luck to all of you who will start their journey in studying the LLM; whether you aim to take the Bar or return to your country, enjoy what you are doing.

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  • Some Expert Advice: Doctoral Studies in Law and a Career in Legal Academia

    Some Expert Advice: Doctoral Studies in Law and a Career in Legal Academia

    – Heather Katharine Allansdottir

    The first part of my column covered the advantages and challenges of pursuing a PhD in law. After completing a PhD in law, some may wish to continue a career in legal academia (as I am currently doing!) so, this second part will set out the possible avenues for a successful and rewarding career in legal academia.

    In some ways, a career in legal academia is the same as a career in academia in general. After successfully passing your PhD viva and fulfilling any corrections to obtain your PhD, a junior scholar will typically undertake a number of post-doctoral positions, which will enable them to focus on their research – typically producing academic papers, or, if appropriate, turning their doctoral work into a book with a university press, or a ‘monograph’.

    After several post-doctoral fellowships and with a developing publication record, the academic can then apply for ‘tenure’, which means becoming a faculty member and obtaining a permanent post at a university. Tenure is an exciting and significant moment in an academic’s life, and a reward for the often gruelling first years of post-PhD life of post-doctoral fellowships.

    Being a faculty member means both job security and job satisfaction – you are now free to teach more freely in your own interests and devise your own courses, and pursue your own research interests and publications.

    In other ways, legal academia differs from our academic peers in other disciplines such as the humanities and social sciences.

    Firstly, the teaching is much more standardized than in many other faculties, which gives legal academics the advantage of being able to find work in a number of different law schools without worrying too much about specialisms in the way that humanities and social science academics do.  The curriculum of law schools is much more uniform than many other areas of academia such as the humanities and social sciences.

    Law is a highly creative endeavour, but it isn’t interpretative dance – law students must be taught a strict curriculum so that they can go out into the world of law and practice their profession, just as a civil engineer must leave university knowing how to make sure a building stays standing up.

    Another difference between legal academic and academic disciplines such as the humanities is that it can be easily – and rewardingly – combined with a career in legal practice, as a barrister or solicitor, whether through one’s own private practice or working part-time in a law firm.

    During my doctoral studies, the most impressive and inspiring Professors of Law were practicing barristers in the UK, Australia, South Africa and elsewhere, and combined this work with their academic pursuits, generally working academically in the field in which they also practiced, such as employment law, discrimination law or family law.

    In this manner being a legal academic is more akin to being an academic of computer science or engineering than being a humanities or social science academic – the ‘ivory tower’ is not very far away from the real world, and you can find a way to operate in both worlds in a way that suits you best.

    As a legal academic, you may also be drawn upon for advice by governmental bodies, NGOs, policy and think tanks, and other relevant organisations in public life, and this can be very rewarding although requires a discerning approach by the legal academic in regard to which organisations they would like to be associated with.

    Legal academia also has a very specific relationship with the senior judiciary, particularly when academic articles inform judgements and help shape the law itself by feeding into the decisions made by senior judges.

    In this sense, legal academia – whether combined with legal practice or not – might be the best way for a law student to go on to leave their mark on the body of law and on society as a whole.

    And in being an academic you are also both teaching and setting an example for a younger generation – the future lawyers who will shape the law, and society, in turn.

    (Find out more about Heather in this interview we published earlier this year)

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