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  • First Person Accounts: Garv Malhotra on MIDS Geneva + LLM at National University of Singapore

    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.

    Garv Malhotra
    Garv Malhotra

    In this edition, I speak with Garv Malhotra who is currently working in the dispute resolution team of Drew and Napier in Singapore.

    Garv, who graduated from Gujarat National Law University (Class of ’15) worked in New Delhi before embarking on the Masters in International Dispute Settlement at Geneva (Class of ’17) on a full scholarship.

    He also completed an LLM in International Arbitration, again on full scholarship, at the National University of Singapore.

    What prompted you to take up an LLM? Was it always the plan to work for a year or two before embarking, or did you consider an LLM fresh out of your undergraduate law course? 

    A master’s degree in law, like in most professions, is a way to boost your career. Like many bright-eyed graduating students, I too considered pursuing an LLM immediately upon graduation. However, as I wanted to pursue a career in litigation, I was unsure whether an LLM would be of any use to me.

    In order to make up my mind, I decided to go for a short summer diploma course on international investment arbitration at the Paris Academy of Arbitration. The course made me realise that the experience of studying under leading global practitioners and with people from different jurisdictions gives both width and depth to one’s understanding.

    “I decided to go for a short summer diploma course on international investment arbitration at the Paris Academy of Arbitration. The course made me realise that the experience of studying under leading global practitioners and with people from different jurisdictions gives both width and depth to one’s understanding.”

    Working at the Supreme Court of India as a junior counsel to two excellent advocates, Mr Debesh Panda (LLM from MIDS) and Mrs Amrita Panda (LLM from QMUL) further fortified my resolve to pursue an advanced degree in law.

    Interactions with students at the Paris Academy and my mentors at the bar impressed upon me that making the most of an LLM is possible only after actual practical experience. In hindsight, I could not agree more.

    What got you to look at MIDS? Were there any other law schools that you looked at?

    The MIDS program was just the ideal fit for me. I personally did not look at other programs although there are a number of good international dispute resolution programs.

    The MIDS program or formally, the Geneva Master’s in International Dispute Settlement, is a joint LLM program of the Graduate Institute and the University of Geneva. I was very keen on the MIDS program because of the stellar global faculty, the program-structure, the networking opportunities and the possibility of a full-scholarship.

    “I was very keen on the MIDS program because of the stellar global faculty, the program-structure, the networking opportunities and the possibility of a full-scholarship.”

    Another reason was the perfect synergy of two great institutions to create the MIDS program.

    The Graduate Institute, Geneva is one of the best places in the world to study international relations, international law, developmental sciences and economics. The institution counts one UN secretary-general (Kofi Annan), seven Nobel Prize recipients, one Pulitzer Prize winner among its alumni.

    The University of Geneva or Université de Genève was established in 1559 and has one of the oldest faculties of law in the world. It is also known for exceptional science and technology programs. The University has produced 10 Nobel laureates and three field medal winners.

    Both these institutions have massive library resources and offer you the chance to sit into classes relating to unrelated fields. I remember sitting in classes relating to anti-terrorism strategy, theology and genetics.

    On the MIDS application, any advice on how to go about one, the SoP and two, the scholarship application?

    The admission and scholarship are two independent and sequential stages. A candidate’s scholarship request has no bearing on his or her offer of admission.

    The admissions committee of MIDS receives a large number of excellent candidates each year from across the globe. They look for people who can add a different perspective to the discussions inside and outside classroom.

    Highlighting a particular experience that sets you apart from others is helpful for the SoP. Articulation is highly appreciated. If you can convey the strength of your candidature in less than the required word limit, it may earn you brownie points.

    “Highlighting a particular experience that sets you apart from others is helpful for the SoP. Articulation is highly appreciated. If you can convey the strength of your candidature in less than the required word limit, it may earn you brownie points.”

    Some people use the SoP to repeat their CV in a paragraph form. This is a bad idea.

    You should use the SoP to say that: “I am here in my career, I want to go here and for that this program is exactly the boost that I need because ____.”

    Also for recommendation letters, what is written matters much more that who is writing it.

    Many people think, “Who will give me a scholarship?” and don’t even try. I strongly recommend against this. There is no harm in trying.

    “Many people think, “Who will give me a scholarship?” and don’t even try. I strongly recommend against this. There is no harm in trying.”

    For scholarship letters you should show a very strong yearning to attend the program, and show that you are a good, well-rounded personality deserving of a scholarship. Most scholarship application reviewers and not lawyers and thus your letter should be crafted keeping that in mind.

    You also did an LLM in International Arbitration at NUS – what was the reasoning behind this move?

    Frankly, I was lucky to get an offer that was too good to resist. In my second semester at MIDS, NUS offered me an ‘express’ LLM on full scholarship if I spent an additional semester in Singapore. NUS also offered me the opportunity to study courses like oil and gas law and arbitration in Asian centres.

    Plus, Singapore is the place to be for International Disputes in Asia and I felt that this additional LLM could be a good way to develop my understanding and network in Singapore.

    Given that you had the chance to study both, the NUS LLM and the MIDS course – what were some of the bigger differences in the learning experience at the two institutions?

    The faculty at both programs is stellar. However, NUS is a much younger program which is evolving by leaps and bounds. MIDS on the other hand has already developed into a comprehensive and extremely rigorous program.

    MIDS is a more practical course whereas the NUS arbitration program is more academic. I say this because at MIDS, the workshops and intensive courses are aimed primarily at practical issues that one faces in practice of international disputes e.g. workshops on accounting, written advocacy etc. Even in my practice, I often refer back to my MIDS study materials.

    The second major difference was that the students at MIDS were much more experienced. The average MIDS candidate had about five years of work experience whereas at NUS most of the candidates were fresh out of law school.

    “The second major difference was that the students at MIDS were much more experienced. The average MIDS candidate had about five years of work experience whereas at NUS most of the candidates were fresh out of law school.”

    Another difference was that there were a number of networking events actively organised by MIDS where the professors would personally introduce us to the who’s who of the international law and arbitration work. There were numerous sit-down dinners with seating arrangements designed in such a way that students were paired with senior practitioners and academicians. Further, MIDS sends each student to two conferences of her choice (expenses paid). I attended one in Switzerland and one in London. Both these conferences were a great way to develop contacts in the higher echelons of the international disputes world.

    However, NUS as a University and NUS Law as a faculty is far better respected than MIDS in the Asian market.

    Singapore’s legal market is extremely competitive, the arbitration field even more so. Any advice you would have for Indian lawyers looking to move jurisdictions to Singapore, and work in dispute resolution?

    Getting a job in Singapore is a mix of credentials, timing and luck. Prior work experience is a must if you want a Singaporean or Singapore-based international law firm to consider offering you employment. An advanced degree in law is preferred.

    “Prior work experience is a must if you want a Singaporean or Singapore-based international law firm to consider offering you employment. An advanced degree in law is preferred.”

    The work-permit regulations in Singapore are very strict and complicated. The employers need to justify the additional benefit of hiring a foreigner over a local.

    Doing an internship is a good route to building a relationship which can eventually fructify in an offer of employment.

    I know you maintain connects with Indian law schools through talks and lectures – any specific practices that Indian law schools should adopt from global best practices?

    I have always enjoyed speaking to law students, both in India and globally. However, law universities in India are often disorganised and extremely bureaucratic. For an outsider, it is very difficult to coordinate with multiple committees, faculties, administrative departments etc.

    My recommendations to law universities in India are:

    Attendance

    I believe that it is a lecturer’s skill to draw the students to his or her class. During law school, I had 100% attendance in a few subjects and major attendance problems in others. Thus, attendance should not be compulsory but students should get marks for their attendance.

    Open book exams

    Never in my practice have I come across a judge, client or boss who told me, I need an answer to this legal question but you cannot use any books or resources. Given the complexity of modern-day laws, it is not a lawyers job to know all the answers by heart. A lawyer should now how to find the answers from the rights sources in the least possible time.

    “Never in my practice have I come across a judge, client or boss who told me, I need an answer to this legal question but you cannot use any books or resources.”

    Over-stressing GPAs

    No client has ever asked their lawyer’s GPA. It is true that grades are important for one to get a good job, a good LLM etc. Further, it is true that grades, to a certain extent, reflect one’s understanding. However, we know and so do others that good grades can also be achieved by mugging a few days before the exam.

    What makes you a good lawyer is a wholesome experience. Universities should incentivize activities like moots, debates, drama, music, sports, internships and publications.

    Young practitioner faculty programs

    I have often felt that academics in India is detached from practice. Most graduating students feel this in the first year of their practice. I believe that Universities should develop relations with young practitioners and invite them to teach.

    “I have often felt that academics in India is detached from practice. Most graduating students feel this in the first year of their practice. I believe that Universities should develop relations with young practitioners and invite them to teach.”

    Universities can incentivise young practitioners by getting adequate public attention to their lectures on social media and through giving them honorary titles which adds to a young professional’s credentials. Many young professionals understand and are very accommodating in terms of the costs involved.

    Lastly, would you recommend an LLM to Indian law graduates?

    Yes, I highly recommend an LLM to Indian law graduates. The opportunity of studying a particular area of the law, at an advanced stage, with people from diverse backgrounds and under stellar global faculty will broaden one’s horizons.

     

    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: Aishwarya Amar on the BCL at Oxford, Cornelia Sorabjee scholarship & more

    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.

    Aishwarya Amar
    Aishwarya Amar

    In this FPA, I get to speak with Aishwarya Amar who is currently reading the BCL at Oxford University. A graduate of Symbiosis Law School, Pune (18), Aishwarya shares her thoughts on what makes the BCL special, the Cornelia Sorabjee scholarship and a whole lot more.

    What got you thinking about graduate studies right after your undergrad? And why the BCL?

    My decision to pursue a master’s degree right after my undergraduate study was purely motivated by my passion for the subjects of International environment and human rights laws. Being highly specialised, technical and niche areas of the law, it required more focused learning, beyond what is taught to us in our undergraduate degrees.

    I’ve been driven by the notion that these passions were never meant to just convert into jobs or employment, but rather into ideas and inputs that will help me develop as a practitioner and contribute to our society in some way. And so, to be honest, I never viewed the master’s degree as a planned step to my future career, but more as a tool that will help hone my skills, so that I can make impactful contributions in the field.

    “To be honest, I never viewed the master’s degree as a planned step to my future career, but more as a tool that will help hone my skills, so that I can make impactful contributions in the field.”

    The BCL was a very obvious choice for me.

    The course is truly unique and stands apart in many respects, such as its course structure in the form of seminars and tutorials instead of traditional lectures, the academic rigour, the small class strength and individualised attention, the flexible and varied subject choices, the distinguished faculty who are all authorities in their fields and most importantly, the healthy mix of other co-curricular activities (which is quite rare for a graduate degree) that help us engage our minds beyond the classroom such as moots, discussion groups, volunteering forums and of course the world renowned Oxford Union.

    In short, the BCL is more of an experience that teaches you to think, reason and ideate, and this is more intellectually stimulating than anything you can learn in a classroom, and that’s what I wanted.

    Did you apply to any other schools?

    Yes, I did apply to the London School of Economics and the University of Cambridge, and received offers from both. My first preference however was always the University of Oxford, because of its versatility.

    Any advice on how to navigate the BCL application process? More specifically, the written requirements and the letters of recommendation?

    The most frank piece of advice that I can give is to make your application as original and honest as possible. Trying to fit into a perceived prototype is the most disastrous thing that one can do to their application. Displaying a strong passion for the subject and the willingness and potential to learn is really the crux of it all.

    With respect to the written work, the University application process is very flexible. They do not expect you to necessarily submit work in area of your interest. But rather any piece of writing which shows your ability to reason coherently and express yourself articulately will suffice.

    It is generally recommended to submit some work that you’ve done over the course of your undergraduate degree. I submitted a piece on contract law that I had written during the course of one my internships. The idea is to submit any piece of writing that captures your strengths in terms of research and writing.

    Oxford requires three letters of recommendations, which is more than what is usually required. This is actually quite advantageous, because it can be used to portray so many different facets of your personality and achievements.

    The key is to choose mentors who’ve really witnessed your work and your development, over a period of time. This allows them to write more personal, in depth and realistic recommendations, rather than a sketchy and half-hearted endorsement.

    “The key is to choose mentors who’ve really witnessed your work and your development, over a period of time. This allows them to write more personal, in depth and realistic recommendations, rather than a sketchy and half-hearted endorsement.”

    In this matter, my advice would be to approach professors who’ve taught courses that are relevant to your application or mentors who’ve assessed your work in these fields. The crucial aspect here is not just the qualifications of the person endorsing you, but also the relevance of their endorsement to your area of study.

    You are a recipient of the Cornelia Sorabjee scholarship – was there a separate application for this? Also, are you entrusted with any particular duties/responsibilities with the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development as a Cornelia Sorabjee scholar?

    There is no separate application for the scholarship. All scholarships at the Oxford India Centre are allotted after an automatic assessment of all applicants to the BCL. It would be useful however to read up about the scholarships before making an application for the BCL, and trying to portray (through your SOP and LORs) any desirable traits or qualities that the scholarship looks for.

    The Oxford India Centre does not per se involve any additional duties or responsibilities. Rather it is a robust forum that helps nurture the work of all its scholars. It supports any on-going multi-disciplinary research of its scholars, host panel discussions and talks relevant to the centre’s/scholars work, initiate new areas of relevant research, translates academic idea to the ground and serves as supportive network to all its member scholars.

    How did you go about selecting the four modules for the BCL? How has the BCL experience been thus far?

    I was inclined to public law subjects, and more specifically environmental law and human rights. Since I was sure of what I wanted to pursue, the choice was not very difficult. The four modules I’m currently pursuing are Comparative Equality Law, Comparative Human Rights Law, Comparative and Global Environment Law and Children Families and the State.

    For those who are unsure, the course descriptions and teaser lectures available online are quite helpful in making this decision and gaining clarity on what the contents of each of these courses are.

    My experience on the BCL so far, has been nothing short of a brilliant learning experience, both inside and outside the classroom. The course has been academically invigorating and personally satisfying. The learning curves are steep, but very rewarding. The reading lists for seminars and essay deadlines are definitely daunting, but invaluable in terms of what you can get out of them.

    “The learning curves are steep, but very rewarding. The reading lists for seminars and essay deadlines are definitely daunting, but invaluable in terms of what you can get out of them.”

    Alongside my usual coursework, I have had the chance to represent the University of Oxford at the Landmark Chambers Judicial Review Moot, on Planning and Environmental Law. I have also had the opportunity to work with the Oxford India Centre and be a part of various other discussion groups and societies. The most enjoyable experience I must say has been being a part of the rich and fascinating (sometimes absurd), centuries old Oxford traditions. Everything at Oxford has a story, and it is always a great feeling to know that studying here gives you an opportunity to be part of such an esteemed legacy.

    “Everything at Oxford has a story, and it is always a great feeling to know that studying here gives you an opportunity to be part of such an esteemed legacy.”

    What is your reading of the legal recruitment market in the UK when it comes to international students?

    Well, for starters, it is highly competitive. As one of the most sought after professions in the UK, the selection procedures are quite stringent and cutthroat. The number of vacation schemes (in case of solicitor-ship) and mini-pupillages (in case of barrister-ship) are limited, and generally require an application to be made one to two years in advance.

    These applications normally involve written aptitude tests as well interviews. While the ratio of conversion of these schemes to training contracts is moderate, it is still highly competitive.

    That being said, a meritorious application displaying a strong academic background, potential to learn and relevant experience, is always valued. All of this is of course subject to Brexit, which may be an absolute game changer for the UK recruitment market.

    Lastly, any advice for Indian law graduates who are considering graduate studies outside the country?

    One piece of advice I can offer, with my limited experience, is to stay true to yourself and your interests, at all stages of your graduate study. Studying abroad in such an intensive environment can be very overwhelming, but giving yourself a chance to adapt and absorb, is key.

    “Studying abroad in such an intensive environment can be very overwhelming, but giving yourself a chance to adapt and absorb, is key.”

    Try to make use of all the opportunities you get and learn from the people you meet, but most importantly enjoy the course, because a master’s programmer is definitely more than just your report card.

  • The LLM #Admission Interviews: Chinthana Konganda, California Western School of Law

    The Admission Interviews, are meant to provide insights into LLM admissions right from the law school itself. The primary idea behind this series is to provide that little bit of extra information that may not be available on the law school’s website.

    Chinthana Konganda
    Chinthana Konganda

    In this edition, I speak with Chinthana Konganda who is the Assistant Director for LLM and MCL programs for foreign lawyers at the California Western School of Law.  In this interview, Chinthana shares her thoughts on recruitment prospects in the US, how to make the most out of the nine-month course, and a whole lot more.

    (Edited excerpts)

    Let us start from the start, what do you think is the value of an LLM from the perspective of an international LLM student? And why one at California Western?

    An LLM degree from the United States will enrich a student’s mind and add value to a student’s professional life. Having a U.S. degree helps in many ways: if a graduate decides to stay in the U.S., it can help them ease into the legal world, and help them become eligible to sit for a state licensing exam (bar exam). If graduates decide to go back to their home countries, it opens door to career opportunities that involve working transnationally with U.S. entities.

    California Western is a close-knit community with a smaller campus. LLM students get to bond with the whole community and they become especially close with other LLM students from across the globe. We select a limited number of students for our LLM class so that every student gets individual attention from program directors who are experienced in working with international students.

    “We select a limited number of students for our LLM class so that every student gets individual attention from program directors who are experienced in working with international students.”

    Because of the small size of our LLM class, LLM students can apply to participate in one of our several live client clinics where they will get direct legal experience working under the guidance and supervision of our faculty and other attorneys. This is a very unique aspect of our LLM program because not many LLM programs let their LLMs participate in the clinics. Some of our popular clinics are Trademark Clinic, New Media Rights Clinic, Immigration Clinic, Mediation Clinic and the Community Law Project. Students get to work with actual clients and help to resolve real disputes/cases.

    And last – location, location, location! We are ideally located near law firms and courts in the downtown business district of San Diego, the 8th largest city in the United States. San Diego enjoys a perfect climate throughout the year and has some of the best beaches in the world.  Who wouldn’t want to spend a year studying in this beautiful environment?

    In your time at CWSL, what have international LLM students found to be the most valuable aspect of the LLM experience? 

    Our LLM students have expressed that they love the small friendly atmosphere of CWSL students and faculty. Our LLM program has existed for over 40 years, and we have alumni from more than 60 countries all around the world who stay in touch.

    Students also appreciate that the directors help them choose which courses to take based on their individual goals and interests.

    Does CWSL look for a particular profile of applicants, for instance do you prefer law graduates with a few years of work experience? 

    Every applicant is unique in their own way. Yes, experience does matter, but we are equally interested in how they have performed in their legal education. For new graduates, we focus more on their performance in law school, whether they had internships, and whether they have improved over the years or maintained their good grades.

    What do graduate admission offices look for in: 

    One, the Personal Statement

    In a personal statement, we look to see what kind of a student this candidate would be, if we accept him/her. Would this candidate be a serious student? Would they contribute to the class discussions? And what is the driving force for them? What are their reasons and goals for studying law in the U.S., and why do they want to apply to CWSL? What do they want to achieve after they graduate from our school? If the personal statement is strong, we should be able to answer those questions.

    Two, the Letters of Recommendation

    Letters of recommendation should come from people who know the candidates work ethic and intellectual ability. Generally, that means they should be written by professors or employers in the legal field.

    The more specific the letter is, the better. If it appears to be a “form letter” that they might send for anyone, then it has less influence.

    “The more specific the letter is, the better. If it appears to be a “form letter” that they might send for anyone, then it has less influence.”

    Could you disclose any information on how much financial aid is provided, on average, to international LLM students? 

    Merit-based scholarships are offered to outstanding applicants, and are available to foreign/international students.  Government backed financial aid at CWSL is available to US citizens and permanent residents only.

    Given that an LLM is barely nine months long, what advice would you for grad students who are looking to make the most of the programme? 

    Take courses that will interest you and will help you in your home country if you plan to return, or classes that will give you some edge over others, if you plan to stay in the United States.

    For example, if you are interested in Negotiation and Mediation, join the Mediation clinic. If you are interested in intellectual property, apply to the Trademark Clinic to get hands-on experience providing legal services for individuals and small businesses seeking a federal trademark or service from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

    Also, make sure you are in a community that feels comfortable to you and where you can enjoy your leisure time.

    What is your reading of the legal recruitment market in the US when it comes to international LLMs? 

    Legal recruitment in the U.S. is saturated right now to all law graduates, and it can be even more challenging if they are international students who would require work visas. But if an LLM student has passed the bar exam, he will be treated as well as a student with a JD degree.

    And with globalization, international students can utilize their knowledge of the law and culture of their home countries that American lawyers would be lacking.

    “And with globalization, international students can utilize their knowledge of the law and culture of their home countries that American lawyers would be lacking.”

    For example, last year we had a student from India who got a job right after graduation because one of our alumni, who does business immigration law, was looking for a lawyer from India who has knowledge of the local language and knows the working culture. We have local LLM alumni who have created careers in many areas of law and business and would be happy to speak with students who are accepted to our LLM program.

  • First Person Accounts: Ankit Sharma on an LL.M. from Cornell Law School

    First Person Accounts: Ankit Sharma on an LL.M. from Cornell Law School

    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.

    In this FPA, I speak with Ankit Sharma who is currently pursuing an LLM at Cornell Law School. A graduate of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (Class of ’15), Ankit worked as a litigating lawyers for close to three years before deciding to embark on a post-graduate degree.

    (Edited excerpts)

    What prompted you to consider an LLM after you had began working? Did you ever consider an LLM fresh out of your undergraduate course?

    Being a first-generation lawyer with aspirations of building a career in litigation, I never thought of pursuing LL.M when I first graduated. I focused only on gaining practical knowledge and networking. However, after I started practising as a lawyer before High Court of Delhi and various Arbitral tribunals, I realised that the field of International Commercial Arbitration in India is still untapped and developing.

    Therefore, I saw an opportunity to gain specialisation in the field and later use the skill-set in my home country.

    How did you go about course selection? Why did you narrow down on Cornell? 

    I took the decision to pursue LL.M after performing rigorous research and talking to LL.M alumnus. Keeping in mind the competitive legal market, it was important for me to gain specialisation and enhanced knowledge and therefore, I took the decision to pursue a degree in Master of Laws.

    I received acceptance letters from University of California, Berkeley, and North-western and was waitlisted by the University of Virginia and NYU School of Law. Also, another factor that made me choose Cornell was that it had one of the lowest rate of acceptance, thereby, ensuring only the best candidates are admitted.

    I specifically chose Cornell because it offers a tailor-made degree program in which the student has the leverage to assemble his course subjects and choose preferable electives. Cornell also has a smaller batch sizes with the best students in the world, being part of which is an opportunity in itself. Moreover, being an Ivy League college, Cornell is recognised world-wide and is renowned around the world including India.

    “I specifically chose Cornell because it offers a tailor-made degree program in which the student has the leverage to assemble his course subjects and choose preferable electives.”

    Did you apply for financial aid of any kind?

    Yes, I had applied for financial aid in Northwestern and Cornell University along with that I had sent my application to Aga Khan Foundation.

    I was able to receive $10,000 Fellowship from Northwestern University but was unable to get financial support from Cornell University or the Aga Khan Foundation.

    In your opinion, how much time one should devote to the application process? Also, any advice on how to go about writing the statement of interest?

    I think a prospective student should at least put in six months towards the admission application as it involves thorough research and several technicalities.

    The Statement of Interest or Statement of Purpose is the most important step in an admission application. The SoP is an opportunity for a student to highlight additional information about his/her career which is not available in the Cover Letter or Resume. Hence, a student should begin the statement by his early childhood which would include his schooling and achievements in school. Thereafter, the statement should talk about the personal background of the applicant and describe what lead the applicant to choose law as a career field.

    The applicant should describe why he likes a particular institution as compared to the other and how his skill-set would benefit the institution. The applicant should also very briefly explain his career objective and how it is linked with attaining higher education.

    “The applicant should describe why he likes a particular institution as compared to the other and how his skill-set would benefit the institution. The applicant should also very briefly explain his career objective and how it is linked with attaining higher education.”

    How has the LLM experience been thus far? 

    The LL.M has been one of the most remarkable experiences I’ve had so far in my life. The educational system at Cornell is entirely different to what I had experience in India. The huge number of different courses that are offered by Cornell in both Fall and Spring semesters allow you to make your degree diverse by choosing a range of subjects.

    My degree focus in the Fall Semester was on Alternate Dispute Resolution.

    I had opted for subjects like International Commercial Arbitration, Advanced Issues in Mediation and Negotiation and Facilitation Seminars. Whereas in the spring semester, in order to increase my forte, I am studying more of corporate subjects Global M&A, International Laws and FDI, Venture Capital along with the art of Negotiation in business and sports.

    Furthermore, the experience of being taught by some of the best professors in the world like Prof. John J. Barcelo III, Prof. Rocco Scanza, Prof. Muna B Ndulo and Prof. Michael L. Huyghue is remarkable.

    I also have a deep interest in extra-curricular activities, and in the very beginning of the Semester, I was elected as the Secretary, LL.M Association and the Director of ADR Society which has been pleasantly overwhelming. Moreover, the knowledge gained by studying from the best professors in the world is something I will put to use for the rest of my life.

    All in all, I would say that the LL.M experience is unparalleled and unmatched.

    Lastly, any advice you would have for Indian law graduates looking to apply for an LLM abroad?

    My advice for Indian law graduates would be to do thorough research before applying. Often there are large majority of students who wish to build a career in the country from where they pursued a master’s degree. However, in my experience, I have come across many students and alums who did not have the requisite information about the country of education, their work permits and also job prospects. Hence, it is my opinion that making an informed decision is better than a wrong decision.

    Moreover, prospective students are often confused and face questions like does a foreign degree provide them better opportunities than an Indian degree? In fact, I was posed with the same issue during the time of admission.

    My answer to this question would be Yes! Having attained a foreign degree not just builds your confidence and resume but also provides the student an edge amongst peers who have an Indian master’s degree. Some of the reasons for this are that firstly, pursuing a foreign degree is the first step towards entering a global employment market.

    “Having attained a foreign degree not just builds your confidence and resume but also provides the student an edge amongst peers who have an Indian master’s degree.”

    If a student pursues his/her master’s degree from a reputable university, then it is not only recognized in India or the country of education but all around the world. Secondly, often there are a lot of specialisations or courses that are offered by foreign universities which are not available in India.

    Lastly, the professor and the teaching faculty at such institutions are world leaders in the field and are not restricted to a particular country. Therefore, to all the aspirants, I would say that despite the employment market facing a downfall, pursuing education goes a long way and has no downfalls!

    End Notes

  • First Person Accounts: Balu G. Nair on the LLM at Melbourne Law School

    First Person Accounts: Balu G. Nair on the LLM at Melbourne Law School

    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.

    In this edition of the FPA, we speak with Balu Gopalakrishnan Nair who is currently pursuing an LLM at Melbourne Law School. A graduate of the WBNUJS (Class of ’14), Balu worked at AK Law Chambers, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and then at IDIA before enrolling at Melbourne Law School. In this interview, he discusses the Alex Chernov scholarship, studying public law, and a whole lot more.

    What prompted you to look at a master’s course? Did you ever consider enrolling for one right after graduation?

    The reasons for wanting to pursue a master’s course were varied- from the frivolous to the academic. As a small-towner, it was always a dream to go and study in a university abroad and interact with people from around the world. As a famous Malayalam song goes, what better way to learn about the world than through the stories of people. But, the more immediate trigger was the realization that my passion lay in academia.

    “As a small-towner, it was always a dream to go and study in a university abroad and interact with people from around the world.”

    Although I had an inkling about this even during my undergrad days, I wanted to have a taste of non-academic settings before I took that plunge. Hence, although I did not want to enrol for a master’s course right after graduation, it was always on the back of my mind.

    How did you go about course/university selection? Why narrow down on Melbourne Law School?

    I narrowed down on the courses/universities based on whether they catered to my area of interest – public law, and the chances of getting a scholarship.

    Melbourne Law School (MLS) was a particularly enticing option as it has an excellent array of public law based courses and some of the best academics who work in this area. Although I was lucky to get through to a few other universities, including Cambridge and UCL, the choice of courses as well as the award of a scholarship tipped the scale in favour of MLS.

    The MLS application form is fairly light – a 100-word note on how the LLM ties with your career goals. 

    Honestly, after writing a few long personal statements, even I was surprised (and glad!) when I saw it the first time. Although I personally feel the word limit for the statement can be slightly higher, pitching your candidature in 100 words comes with its own challenges.

    Moreover, a smaller word limit enables the candidates to really narrow in on what they want to say in the application. That said, asking candidates to tie up their learning goals solely to career paths is a rather myopic way of looking at the degree. So, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to make the application process more holistic in the coming years.    

    You have had an interesting career trajectory thus far, with stints at CAM and then IDIA. How did you tie this in to your application? Any advice for future applicants?

    At the time of applying to MLS, I was working as a Public Interest Fellow at IDIA’s P-PIL vertical. At IDIA, I was working on some interesting public law based litigation and research.

    Even at CAM and prior to that at AK Law Chambers (where I started off my career), I had the opportunity to work on some public law based matters. In my application, I mentioned how, if admitted to the programme, I hoped to build on this experience and acquire a more nuanced understanding of public law.

    Although I wish I could speak at length about how to ace these applications, I am not sure I know the formula for it. While I was successful in my application to Cambridge, UCL and MLS, I could not get through to Oxford’s BCL programme. But, if I had to narrow down on one thing which would yield success in these applications, it would be to honestly identify your primary area of interest and explain in your application how the course fits with this interest.   

    “If I had to narrow down on one thing which would yield success in these applications, it would be to honestly identify your primary area of interest and explain in your application how the course fits with this interest.”

    How has the LLM experience been thus far? What subjects have you opted for, and any highlights in particular?

    The experience so far has been nothing short of excellent! In the first semester, I did intensive courses on Freedom of Speech, Government Liability, Law of Democracy, and Constitution Making. All four courses were thoroughly engaging and taught by some of the leading academics from the respective areas.

    Although it is tough to pick a highlight, the chance to learn about constitution making from Prof. Cheryl Saunders and Prof. Christina Murray – both of who have been directly involved in the designing of constitutions for a number of countries-was certainly one.

    Outside of course work, I have been extremely fortunate to work with Dr. Farrah Ahmed as a research assistant on a number of administrative law and personal law issues.

    You are also a recipient of the Alex Chernov scholarship – apart from the financial aid aspect, are there any other benefits of the scholarship?

    Apart from the financial aid, the biggest highlight of the scholarship is the chance to receive mentorship from Mr. Chernov himself, who has served in the Supreme Court of Victoria and was also the Governor of Victoria.

    I have had the fortune of meeting him during the last semester and he is kind enough to have a word with you on your interests and connect you to more mentors in your field.

    What have been some of the bigger differences between your undergrad and postgrad education?

    I think the striking difference between the two is the quality of teaching and classroom discussions. Although I had the chance of being taught by some exceptional professors at NUJS, that was more the exception than the norm. It has been the other way around at MLS.

    “Although I had the chance of being taught by some exceptional professors at NUJS, that was more the exception than the norm. It has been the other way around at MLS.”

    Nevertheless, it would be unfair on my part to pin this difference solely to the difference in quality of teaching. I think, as a postgrad student, I am much more prepared for classes and take more interest in the discussions, which make the postgrad experience more enriching.

    Would you recommend a foreign LLM to Indian law grads?

    Absolutely! It is a great learning experience, both in terms of your areas of interest as well as your general development. Moreover, for those who can efficiently manage time, and are interested in travelling, it can also be a great time to go explore the world a bit more.

    Having said that, I don’t think anyone should pursue a foreign LLM just because one thinks it is prestigious to do so. Also, I think it is a bad idea to incur heavy loans to pursue a foreign LLM.

    The ideal time to pursue a foreign master’s would be when you have a rough idea of what area you want to explore and have some sort of financial safety net – be it in the form of a scholarship or savings. It should be a time when you can embark upon an unhindered intellectual pursuit without having to worry too much about the finances.

    “The ideal time to pursue a foreign master’s would be when you have a rough idea of what area you want to explore and have some sort of financial safety net – be it in the form of a scholarship or savings.”

    As an aside, I must note that foreign LLMs at the moment are limited to the most privileged. Hopefully, we would have a movement through which they become accessible to a more diverse and deserving group of people.

     

    End Notes

    • What: The LLM at Melbourne Law School 
    • Tuition:  AUD 42,688/ – (Please refer to website for latest information)
    • Application deadline: Two deadlines a year: 30 April and 31 October (Please refer to website for latest information)