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  • First Person Accounts: Aarushi Bhatnagar on the LLM from NLU Jodhpur, NYU Law

    Aarushi Bhatnagar, LLM from New York University NYU
    Aarushi Bhatnagar

    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.

    Aarushi Bhatnagar recently graduated with an LLM from New York University’s School of Law (’18) her second post graduate degree after an LLM from NLU Jodhpur (’16). In this FPA, the Christ University graduate discusses her reasons for opting for a second master’s, the NYU LLM experience, and a whole lot more.

    Quite an interesting career trajectory you have had there – you enrolled for your first LLM a year after your undergrad. What were the reasons behind this move?

    Since the time of joining the law school, I had been interested in pursuing a career in academia. However, I wanted to start from teaching at the grassroot level. Also, the possibility of serving the society by educating children from underprivileged background motivated me to apply for the Teach For India Fellowship. The fellowship helped me to contribute towards filling the education equity gap in India as well as to gain valuable teaching skills.

    Post the fellowship, I wanted to finally try my hands at teaching at the university level. Since post-graduation is an essential requirement to enter academia in India, I appeared for the CLAT Exam (for LL.M.) during my time at TFI. I got through NLU Jodhpur wherein I decided to specialize in International Trade & Investment Laws.

    Looking back, taking a break of one year post law school was a good decision as that gave me the time to think about the career choices I wanted to make. Besides, I did not want to jump into the race of getting one degree after the other as I believe that getting some real life work experience makes a lot of difference in widening one’s perspective about several things in life.

    “I did not want to jump into the race of getting one degree after the other as I believe that getting some real life work experience makes a lot of difference in widening one’s perspective about several things in life.”

    How was your LLM experience at NLU Jodhpur? What were some of the highlights of the course? 

    The LL.M. experience at NLU Jodhpur was rewarding in its own ways. I received my first law degree from a private university and had always wondered how different the NLU experience would have been.

    Hence, I decided to make the best use of the one year that I got at NLU Jodhpur.

    Secondly, the interaction that one has with faculty during the undergraduate years is quite limited as compared to that during a graduate program. I utilized the LLM program to closely interact with the faculty and understand what really entails a career in academia.

    “I utilized the LLM program to closely interact with the faculty and understand what really entails a career in academia.”

    Thirdly, my area of specialization was International Trade and Investment Laws. One advantage of studying such a policy-oriented course is the opportunity to see academic principles being applied in practice. To observe the process of research-backed policy making, I participated at the BRICS convention (as a convener). It not only helped me in appreciating the practical bottlenecks that are often ignored in academic discussions, but also honed my soft-skills which are handy in the job-market.

    You followed this up with another stint in academia – how do you think the LLM helped you in this position?

    After completing the LL.M., I worked as an Assistant Professor at Banasthali University in Rajasthan.

    A master’s degree in law is a prerequisite to enter into the world of legal academia in India. Hence, first and foremost, the LL.M. degree made me eligible to apply for teaching position in law universities in India. Additionally, it also polished further the required skill-sets in me that are essential in academia – such as, legal writing, research, presentation, time management.

    And then an LLM at NYU – how did you go about selecting where to apply? What attracted you to NYU?

    I had my personal reasons for having to relocate to the New York. Hence, I was particular in selecting universities only in NYC.

    Deciding to go for another LL.M. was a tough call to make having a master’s degree already in hand. The investment cost was quite huge and the job market scene in the US was, of course, not appearing to be very promising.

    Nevertheless, I applied to NYC universities. I shortlisted four universities of different tiers and got through three of them. Two of these three universities offered me attractive scholarships (NYU not being one of them) but NYU was undoubtedly the best one.

    The global nature of the university, the flexibility of choosing subjects from such diversified areas of law, the superstar profiles of professors, amazing location, and of course the reputation – these were some of the many reasons that attracted me to choose NYU.

    How was the LLM experience? Looking back, what were some of the highlights along the way?

    The LL.M. experience at NYU has been extremely rewarding. NYU is truly a global university. There is so much to do in so little time. NYU has tons of surprises and experiences to offer – the networking opportunities, constant guidance and mentorship, studying amongst the best from the world and by the best professors.

    “There is so much to do in so little time. NYU has tons of surprises and experiences to offer”

    I learned so much about the American standards of legal writing through a year long seminar course titled ‘Research Seminar for Future Academics’ and through another course named ‘Graduate Lawyering’. I was so fascinated by the wide range of subjects to choose from. Another course that I thoroughly enjoyed was a simulation course in ADR.

    Both NYU and NYC have taught me numerous life and professional lessons.

    What is your reading of the employment prospects of international LLM graduates in the US?

    Frankly speaking, the legal job market is quite challenging to penetrate in the US for foreign trained attorneys. There are various factors to be taken into consideration such as the area of work/interest, the corresponding job opportunities, immigration matters (visa, work permit), prior work experience in a field of relevance, and so on.

    Therefore, it is extremely common for people to have several years of work experience before applying for a foreign LLM. Such people have better framework to utilize the course as consequently, they have (usually, but not always) a better job market performance. It is also important to note that the job market opportunities depend crucially on the area of specialization. Areas like corporate law, taxation, etc. have substantially different/better opportunities for foreign-trained lawyers as compared to arbitration, family law, etc.

    “It is also important to note that the job market opportunities depend crucially on the area of specialization.”

    I am not saying that it is impossible to get a job in the US after an LL.M., however, it can be an extremely tiring, frustrating and challenging process (of course, rewarding for some at the end). Candidates must do a good amount of research about all of these factors and talk to as many people as possible who are in the same field – in order to better equip themselves before entering the US job market (and even before finally deciding to go for an LL.M. from abroad).

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who may be considering a master’s abroad?

    Do your ground research work properly – no one else can do it for you. There are numerous online resources available that one should make full use of. Remember that the most important questions to ask oneself are the why and what of LL.M. – ‘Why do I want to do an LL.M.?‘ and ‘What do I want to gain from the LL.M. experience?’ Never go for an LL.M. thinking that it is an extended foreign vacation or a cake walk – because it is not.

    “Remember that the most important questions to ask oneself are the why and what of LL.M. – ‘Why do I want to do an LL.M.?‘ and ‘What do I want to gain from the LL.M. experience?”

    Start your ground work well in advance so that you don’t miss any deadlines (both for universities as well as scholarships), shortlist the universities in different tiers depending on your area of interest, go through the website of each and every university that you are applying to, connect with the people already studying there as well as the alumni of such universities to get to know of their experiences and ask them questions so that you are better prepared to make an informed choice.

    Remember that it is always better to be over prepared than being under prepared for something this big. If done the right way, an LLM from a good university abroad can be a really rewarding and life changing experience.

     

    If you would like Amicus Partners to provide some personalised advice on your LLM applications, please fill up this form and we shall get back to you as soon as possible.

  • First Person Accounts: Sujeet S. Karkala on the LLM at Duke University School of Law

    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.

    Sujeet S. Karkala
    Sujeet S. Karkala

    Sujeet S. Karkala is a legal advisor at Sciaroni & Associates in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A 2007 graduate of Government Law College in Mumbai, Sujeet worked for a few years before enrolling for an LL.M. at the Duke University School of Law (’11).

    In this FPA, he shares the reasons behind the LL.M., working in the US and then Asia, and a whole lot more.

    (Edited excerpts)

    I know it has been quite a while, but what got you thinking about an LLM? Was the plan to always work a while and then enrol for a master’s?

    The purpose of L.L.M. to gain expertise in a specialized field of law, to gain advanced knowledge in your chosen field of law. It is strongly advise to do so obtain some legal training and then to apply for your masters program.

    A master’s in law is similar to an MBA in the sense that we compete not only with the international students who are experienced in their field but also with local students who completed their Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor.

    These students during the schooling and working experience have done a number of research papers also over the years have developed a good interpersonal skills and beyond moot courts.

    And when it came to the LLM, what got you to narrow down on Duke?

    I applied for various law schools in US however, the program at Duke consisted of a limited number of LL.M students i.e. approx. 80 students and most credits classes are with J.D students. So, as an LL.M you are interacting with the J.D students.

    But, the most fascinating of the LL.M you are able to opt for credits classes with Fuqua Business School of Law where you are also learning not only the legal aspect but also the business model of doing business. Further, irrespective of your program you opt for, Duke encourages to engage with the Duke Community by taking parts in various sports on campus.

    Right after Duke, you started working in New York. Given your previous background in India, what were some of the bigger differences between your Indian and US law firm experiences?

    The work culture in U.S is very different. For that matter, the work culture globally is very different. In the US, you have to focus on your personal development, thought process and with the quality of work with clear and precise information. While in India, legal practice is different with every firm.

    More importantly, how did you think the LLM equipped you to perform in this new role?

    The LL.M helped me develop a lot it helped me groomed myself personally and also my mindset. As a lawyer we need to be proactive. With the world getting narrower and with the advancement of technology, we need to be updated not only for development of law within our country but also outside of India or at least South East Asia.

    Pursuing, my LL.M did enable me to keep myself updated with changes and developments happening not only in India but also in the region.

    “With the world getting narrower and with the advancement of technology, we need to be updated not only for development of law within our country but also outside of India or at least South East Asia. “

    Am quite curious about your subsequent moves – what got you to SE Asia? Has it been easy to make the shift?

    In India we always heard about countries like Singapore or HK. Singapore being the gateway to Asia and the western world while HK gateway to China and the rest of world.  For me, it was a similar thought.

    However, during my research I came across this new market of ASEAN which is similar to EU. The only difference  is that most countries in ASEAN are emerging markets. This tempted me to venture in this market.

    Now, even the Indian government is intending to focus more towards the east by adopting the “Act East Policy”. So, for me as an India qualified lawyer, I am very often advising clients from India on doing business in ASEAN.

    And in this particular region, how do you think Indian law graduates can improve their chances of finding employment?

    First, it is is not about looking for an employment but about what one really wants to do.  Presently, most trade and investments is from India and China where these two superpower giants are investing in ASEAN and South East Asia.

    So, the focus should be more in terms of Asia. However, knowing your home country law is important and also whichever region you focus on, it is important to know their legal system.

    In simple words, we have to be sure of the requirements. For a lawyer every day is about learning and gaining  knowledge.

    Lastly, and don’t mean to put you in a spot here, but would you advise a foreign LLM to Indian law graduates?

    Well, it should be by choice and desire not because everyone around or your best friend from your law school is pursuing a foreign LL.M. The purpose of LL.M  is to expand your knowledge and quality of work.

  • First Person Accounts: Niyati Ahuja on the LLM at Berkeley Law

    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.

    Niyati Ahuja on her LLM at Berkeley Law
    Niyati Ahuja

    Niyati Ahuja is graduate of the University School of Law & Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (’17) who completed her LL.M. from Berkeley Law last year.

    In this FPA, she talks about the LL.M. application process for US law schools, narrowing down on Berkeley Law, employment prospects in the US, and a whole lot more.

    As an undergraduate student, when did you start considering an LLM? What were some of your expectations from the LLM course? 

    I started considering options for further studies in the third year of the five-year integrated Business Administration and Law (B.B.A LL. B) course that I pursued in India. I aimed at applying only to universities in the U.S. for the reason that most schools offered a variety of options for empirical learning.

    I expected and was provided with an exposure to courses as well as to some of the best professors in their respective areas. Our batch of 200 students consisted of lawyers from 80 different countries, and understanding the legal systems of different countries and their culture was truly an enriching experience.

    How did you go about shortlisting schools, and what got you to narrow down on Berkeley?

    I knew that I wanted to apply only to American law schools from the get go. I shortlisted a list of law schools with an International law program as well as Business law program which are both areas of law that I was interested in.

    I only applied to a small number of law schools and Berkeley was amongst the top two best ones that I got accepted to. I also considered the quality of journals published by various law schools.

    “I only applied to a small number of law schools and Berkeley was amongst the top two best ones that I got accepted to. I also considered the quality of journals published by various law schools.”

    During my time at Berkeley, I was able to interact and be a part of renowned journals. I was an Associate Editor for the Berkeley Technology Law Journal; a member of the Berkeley Business Law Journal; and the President of Programming for the Berkeley Information Privacy Law Association.

    In hindsight, the number of opportunities an American law school provides are as many as you decide to take advantage of, so research the law schools which are the best fit for you as an individual irrespective of their ranking. It’s in your hands to make the best of your time at whichever law school you decide to go to.

    Any advice on the application process itself? Could you shed some light on specific aspects such as drafting the SoP as well as getting good recommendation letters?

    The application process for applying to U.S. law schools is pretty uniform. We are required to create an account on LSAC and upload application materials, e.g., statement of purpose, transcripts, letters of recommendation, TOEFL scores etc. on the online portal.

    Everyone has different reasons and motivations for pursuing an LL.M., for some it is the exposure to new opportunities in the United States, for some it is a particular specialization area the school is known for and some want to build connections with lawyers and law firms from their other countries.

    I wrote my personal story in the SOP and how my background contributed to my interest in international law. At the same time, a Statement of Purpose must contain what unique aspect you would bring to your cohort and how the law school will benefit you in achieving your long-term goals. It is also important to maintain your individuality as no one can tell your story better than yourself and law schools look for what sets you apart.

    “It is also important to maintain your individuality as no one can tell your story better than yourself and law schools look for what sets you apart.”

    For the letters of recommendation, I only approached the professors who knew me personally and was sure would be willing to write a good letter for me. I would advise applicants to confirm with the professors/lawyers they approach for recommending them if they are comfortable writing a good letter of recommendation. A vague or generic letter of recommendation could harm your application more than one less letter of recommendation.

    Did you apply for/receive financial aid of any kind?

    I did apply for financial aid to whichever law school I could. I received the Asia Pacific scholarship for the professional track course in Berkeley. However, I opted for the traditional track as I intended to take the New York bar after the LL.M. and needed to fulfil a specific course requirement.

    Unfortunately, I was not aware of the various scholarships provided from other sources and by the time I did my research, the deadlines had passed. I would definitely advise students to look into scholarships like the Fulbright, Agha Khan et al. The financial burden on Indian students pursuing an LL.M. in the U.S. is quite high, in part owing to the weak Indian currency as compared to USD.

    “The financial burden on Indian students pursuing an LL.M. in the U.S. is quite high, in part owing to the weak Indian currency as compared to USD.”

    Looking back, what were some of the highlights of the LLM course?

    From the academic courses to witnessing my first American football game to learning about different cultures, it was indubitably a beautiful ride. In particular, some courses impacted both my personal and professional growth. The International Foreign Legal Research course was a practical course which helped me refine my research skills. We were required to submit a research guide at the conclusion of the course based on any legal area that interested us.

    I drafted a research guide on International Commercial and Investment Arbitration. It was one of the most engaging and fun courses that I opted for. Another one was the Oral Advocacy course taught by a retired judge which helped me build my advocacy skills as at the end of the course, we were to present the opening and closing statements for a case provided to us.

    Another course taught by one of the kindest professors was transactional drafting, which despite being a short course, helped us recognize mistakes made by lawyers and organizations inadvertently having huge legal impacts in the event of a dispute.

    Last but not the least, my International Commercial Arbitration course taught by Professor Popovic which reaffirmed my interest in arbitration and is the career path that I intend to pursue for the foreseeable future.

    I also opted for a Yongmudo (Korean Martial Arts), Taekwondo, and Ballet course with the UC Berkeley School of Physical Education, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

    Now that you have had the chance to work in the US for a bit, what is your reading of the employment prospects of international LLM graduates? 

    There are various things to consider with regards to employment prospects for international LLM students. A majority of U.S. law firms hire through their summer associate programs which is during the second year of the J.D. program.

    Despite the low number of LL.M. graduates who receive a permanent position immediately after the LL.M. is possible, and can be done by persevering and being patient.

    Some qualities which may raise the chances of getting employed in the U.S. are additional language skills, particularly Spanish, and sufficient years of practice in one’s home jurisdiction.

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law grad who may be considering a master’s abroad?

    Firstly, if you are sure of the area you want to practice in, shortlist law schools that offer courses or a specialization in that particular area. Secondly, instead of going for an LL.M. right after graduating from LL.B., gain some work experience and apply to law schools. Not only will that raise your chances of getting into the law school of your choice but also of getting employed with law firms outside India.

    “Secondly, instead of going for an LL.M. right after graduating from LL.B., gain some work experience and apply to law schools. “

    Lastly and most importantly, focus on the academic part of your LL.M. but do not forget to absorb the wonderful experience that it will be and the lifelong connections you will make during the program.

     

    If you would like Amicus Partners to provide some personalised advice on your LLM applications, please fill in this form and we shall get back to you as soon as possible.

  • First Person Accounts: Swati Sharma on the TRAIL+programme, World Trade Institute

    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.

    Swati Sharma, World Trade Institute
    Swati Sharma

    Swati Sharma is currently pursing the the advanced Master’s in Trade and Investment Law (TRAIL+) at the World Trade Institute, University of Bern (WTI). A graduate of ICFAI Dehradun (’16), Swati worked for a few years before enrolling for the TRAIL programme. In this FPA, she discusses how she shortlisted the schools, the application itself, and her time thus far at the WTI.

    (Edited excerpts)

    The WTI is an interesting choice to make. What were the other universities that you applied to, and how did you go about selecting just where to apply?

    My first assignment in international law was early in my undergraduate degree, during a moot court competition. Gradually I developed a passion for the subject and started preparing my resume to purse LLM in international law. However, I still kept on exploring more and decided to pursue an LLM specialization in international trade and investment law on completion of a post-graduation diploma in international trade and business law.

    Along with WTI, I applied to UC Berkeley, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Graduate Institute Geneva, Amsterdam Graduate School of Law and Columbia University.

    My selection of the universities was based on certain factors such as opportunities during the course, the diverse programmes provided and the opportunities available after completion of the degree. In doing so, I listed the pros and cons of European schools and universities in the USA. Personally, I was more inclined towards Switzerland and American schools.

    The major aspect which I always considered while shortlisting the universities was not the location per se but the various integrated course offered by the university, such as International Trade and Diplomacy, International Trade and Investment and Economics, and International law and Diplomacy. However, I also gave some importance to the location of WTI, which is in close proximity of the WTO.

    “I must say the biggest challenge for me was not to apply but to select the university on receiving the acceptance letter from these universities.”

    However, I must say the biggest challenge for me was not to apply but to select the university on receiving the acceptance letter from these universities. My passion for international trade and investment law finally brought me to WTI, University of Bern.

    What are some of your expectations from this LLM? 

    Before coming to WTI, I was clear on the purpose of pursuing a master’s degree. And, I am delighted to say that it is helping me to move forward with that purpose every single day spent at the university. I tend to learn day-to-day with a new challenge as it comes, and passionately work towards each opportunity I receive.

    On completion of my LLM degree, I intend to build on a definite base of international trade and investment law and prepare myself as a qualified lawyer to work in different jurisdictions to practice WTO law. Furthermore, work at the WTO in the enhancement of trade facilitation to maximize the growth of developing countries.

    In the future, I want to work towards developments in Human Rights including labour rights in the era of increased investment worldwide. Consequently, as I am actively working with ‘Humara Haq’ (our rights), I seek to grow the organization cross-border establishing association with international organizations.

    Did you contemplate an LLM right after your undergraduate degree? 

    Being a first-generation lawyer it was quite difficult for me to go for a master’s degree right after my college, and today I am glad I made that decision. I took my time to research and explore more to understand what I wanted to specialize in. Even though I was well aware of my quest to pursue an LLM degree, I wanted to gain some experience before I apply for LLM.

    “Even though I was well aware of my quest to pursue an LLM degree, I wanted to gain some experience before I apply for LLM.”

    Along with legal sector, I worked with an NGO ‘Teach for India’ as a fellow and thereafter founded the youth organization, “Hopebright Legal Empowerment Foundations” (Humara Haq) to bridge the gap between legal education, rights and marginalized communities. It was an enriching experience to work on the gaps between legislation and implementation of Hindu women’s land ownership rights in rural India which I undertook as a research associate to Dr. Reena Patel, (former professor of law at the Warwick University, UK, and former founding dean at the Maharishi Law School, Noida).

    During my time as a research associate to Professor Narinder Singh (earlier the Chair at the International Law Commission), I worked on BIT’s and worked on specific provisions therein. Having said that, the cross-stream work experience I have had is quite helpful during the course. In my opinion, it helps you to get a better understanding of the subject if you have some practical knowledge in it.

    Also, as you are a student in a class where people are coming from different areas and work experiences, your experience serves as an additional advantage.

    Any advice on the application process itself? How much time do you think prospective LLM candidates should devote to the entire process?

    I always start by saying that, if you aim to pursue LLM abroad, be ready to give sufficient time to your application. There are few things in the application process on which I would like to stress.

    Firstly, the prospective applicant must always know the purpose of doing the LLM. What a person seeks out of the LLM degree and in which field, must be clear before starting the application. One must know the area of interest he/she is looking to specialize in, this helps to shortlist the universities.

    “What a person seeks out of the LLM degree and in which field, must be clear before starting the application.”

    Secondly, time management plays a critical role in the application process. For example, I started my application in the beginning of July, as most of the universities in the USA and Europe have deadlines from mid- November to December. It gave me sufficient time to write, re-write my sop drafts, and complete the application process before the deadline. Therefore, you should have sufficient time for the SoP draft, essay, collecting Transcripts, LOR’s and English language test. Also, it gives you sufficient time to select the law schools, their requirements and deadlines.

    Thirdly, the Statement of Purpose and legal essay takes maximum time, so, my advice is, start them early so that you have sufficient time to edit and make changes. In my opinion, writing the complete structure once and then making necessary changes in the draft supporting your interest in the programme, your reasons to apply and career goals would help rather than writing multiple drafts. Also, one should choose wisely, who you want your Letter of recommendation (LOR) from, as it is critical to the entire application. The people writing the recommendation generally don’t have much time, so it is highly advisable to request for the letters, keeping sufficient time in favour.

    “The people writing the recommendation generally don’t have much time, so it is highly advisable to request for the letters, keeping sufficient time in favour.”

    Generally, people under-prioritize to request transcripts and degree from the previous university. Especially universities in the USA require the transcripts to be sent to them through postal mail to complete the application process, which cannot be sent otherwise through e-mail. Therefore, it is crucial to request for all external documents to be sent on time. For this purpose, make sure to check the policy of the universities in the beginning.

    Last but not the least, language proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS), even if the university gives a waiver for the English test requirement, it is essential for the Visa application. Therefore, giving the test early (I gave mine in October) is a better option.

    In the end, I would highly advise you to have a mentor, it makes making a decision to choose a university much easier. For example, the guidance I received from Dr Renna Patel and Prof. Narinder Singh who not only helped me throughout the process but still continue to do so.

    Did you apply for/receive financial aid?

    Yes, I received financial aid (tuition) from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, a partial tuition grant at UC Berkeley, and the Dean scholarship at the WTI. However, it is quite difficult to get financial aid in Switzerland for master courses, especially if you are applying for a specialized course.

    The financial grants depend on the continent, the university and the course, so it is advisable to search for the scholarships, fellowships or other financial aids based on the preferences.

    Early days I know, but how has the LLM experience been thus far?

    For me, the course brought challenges as well as opportunities. As a lawyer, I was never exposed to International Economics, therefore, the integrated disciplines have given me a unique outlook to make my arguments. A learning space full of government officials, lawyers and economists brings different dynamics to the debates in the classes.

    “A learning space full of government officials, lawyers and economists brings different dynamics to the debates in the classes.”

    Also, I find it important to gain advanced knowledge in global governance, international economics models, global political economy and their subsequent effect on the global trade, cross-border investment and dispute resolution.

    The course structure is designed in such a way, where regular seminars and workshops are organised every week, by the dignitaries working on current issues of WTO law and investment law.  It allows me to think out of the box. As an international trade attorney, one needs to understand international economics, international relations and their impact on the trade and investment globally, the place certainly brings that dynamics.

    One of the best experiences which I had, during the first month of my LLM class was to participate in the World Trade forum, 2019 and WTO, Public Forum, 2019.

    In my opinion, no other platform gives you a better opportunity to network with the luminaries in the field and to understand the international trade and investment law and its implication in the world. The institute is focused on research in the integrated field of trade, investment, economics and sustainability that is certainly imparting a unique perspective in my research. Especially, the conversations I have with some of the greatest brains in the field like Professor Peter Van den Bossche and Prof. Michael Hahn is the cherry on the top.

    I am learning every day and taking every opportunity to move forward on my desired career path.

    “In my opinion, no other platform gives you a better opportunity to network with the luminaries in the field and to understand the international trade and investment law and its implication in the world”

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who may be considering a master’s abroad? 

    My advice to the LLM applicants would be to consider carefully and see if the LLM programme would help you to achieve the goals. As the Programme demands commitments in terms of time as well as finance on accepting to the course, one must be clear on both terms before accepting the letter.

    For the law students pursuing undergraduate studies, it is very much significant to spend their time reading, writing, interacting with professionals doing well in different areas of law and interning at the right place, I believe, it certainly helps students to understand their interest better.

    Your LLM experience abroad would bring surely a better understanding of the subject as well as would prepare you as a distinguish professional. Therefore, I would highly advise pursuing LLM abroad, especially if you are seeking a career in international law.

    Working with people coming from a different jurisdiction, background and cultural makes you understand the global economic, political and legal environment better.  It can be quite complex at times to cope up in that environment for some people. However, to specialize in one area within international law, an LLM is the best choice to make. In the end, I would say a career in international law or any specialized area is highly dependent on networking, therefore, the sooner the better.

     

    If you would like Amicus Partners to provide some personalised advice on your LLM applications, please fill in this form and we shall get back to you as soon as possible.

  • First Person Accounts: Jigyasa Singla on the Jindal-Maurer double degree programme

    Jigyasa Singla
    Jigyasa Singla

    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.

    Jigyasa Singla is currently pursuing a JD from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law as part of a double degree programme offered by Jindal Global Law School and Maurer. In this FPA, she talks about why she enrolled for the JD, the transition to a US law school, and a lot more.

    So, you apply for the JD in your final year at Jindal? Do you apply as a regular applicant, or are there any changes in the admission process since JGLS has a tie up with Maurer? 

    We apply for a JD in the first semester of our fourth year at Jindal. Once someone is selected for a JD, they finish their time in Jindal in four years and can finish the JD in two years.

    There are some changes in the application process as JGLS has a tie up with Maurer. JGLS students don’t have to take the LSAT. However, the rest of the application remains the same: interested students have to submit a resume, statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation.

    “JGLS students don’t have to take the LSAT. However, the rest of the application remains the same. “

    Any advice on the application process itself? 

    It’s best to build your resume as much as possible while you’re in law school. I did this by doing a number of internships in different professional legal environments, and by taking up research positions while I was in Jindal. These experiences also helped me write a comprehensive statement of purpose.

    I think it’s a good idea to build relationships and stay connected with your professors and the people you work with. They will only be able to write you good letters of recommendation if they know you well enough.

    “I think it’s a good idea to build relationships and stay connected with your professors and the people you work with.”

    What got you looking at this dual degree program? What were your expectations from the programme and have they been met?

    I came to the United States for a semester abroad programme during my fourth year at Jindal. I decided I wanted to get a deeper understanding of American jurisprudence and have a comparative perspective on different legal systems.

    I think doing a JD is a great option for anyone who is even considering practicing in the United States. I wanted to have the option of practicing in the United States, and the JD seemed like my best option. Thanks to the dual-degree partnership, I had the option to receive a JD in the same number of years as it would have taken to get an LLM.

    Do JGLS students also get financial aid for the JD course?

    Most JGLS students get a partial scholarship for the JD course. I get a $20,000 scholarship for each academic year.

    How has the JD experience been thus far? What were some of the biggest challenges in terms of the learning experience? 

    The JD is significantly different from an undergraduate law degree in India. It’s challenging, as we are expected to put in several hours of self-study throughout the semester.

    Most law school classes in the United States have one final exam, so your entire grade depends on that one exam.

    It was difficult for me to adapt to this, as each class in Jindal had multiple components that contributed to our grades, whereas at Maurer, I didn’t get much feedback until the very end of my semester.

    Apart from dual qualifications, what do you think are some of the advantages of the dual degree programme?

    Despite the work, the JD is a great opportunity to learn from some of the best legal scholars in the country. Many of my professors are experts in their fields, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed nearly all my classes.

    I have a diverse set of peers, as they come from different academic and professional backgrounds, and I’ve been able to get a multi-disciplinary exposure to law.

    Apart from professional advantages, I think it is a great experience to live in a different country and get immersed in a new culture.

    Lastly, any advice for the Indian law graduate who may also be contemplating the US JD programme? 

    I would recommend that one consider why they want to pursue a JD, as it is a big investment. Due to visa uncertainties, one may or may not be able to work in the United States for a long period of time.

    “I would recommend that one consider why they want to pursue a JD, as it is a big investment.”

    Nonetheless, a JD is a great option if one wants to practice in a non-Indian jurisdiction. Even if someone wants to practice in India, the exposure and experience is totally worthwhile!

     

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