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  • First Person Accounts: Prashanth Shivadass on an LLM from Queen Mary University of London

    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 edition, we get to speak with Prashanth S Shivadass who received an LLM in Competition Law from Queen Mary University of London (Class of ’16). Prashant completed his BA LLB from Christ University (Class of ’13) and is currently working at AZB and Partners. In this interview he discusses why he chose to work a few years before the LLM, the “name value versus course” debate,  Indian law firms and an international LLM, and a whole lot more.

    Prashanth S Shivadass on his LLM from Queen Mary University of London
    Prashanth S Shivadass

    (Edited excerpts)

    Did you ever consider enrolling for the LLM right after graduation? Or was the plan to always work for a couple of years and then apply?

    The plan was to always work for a couple of years before doing a course (be it LLM or any other). To be fair, I was just an average student whilst in college, so it never really seemed possible for me to get through right after law school. So, a decent run at a good law firm does add a ‘work ex’ value to my resume, making it a little more appealing than just average.

    But, over time I realized (especially while doing the course), that a working knowledge of the law, particularly a specialist law, really helps during an LLM. The intricate details re: practice and procedure, developments in the law and just the basic understanding of the nuances of a specialized subject, helps with the LLM.

    “The intricate details re: practice and procedure, developments in the law and just the basic understanding of the nuances of a specialized subject, helps with the LLM.”

    How did you go about university selection? And how did you narrow down on QMUL?

    University selection is akin to course selection. I interned with the then Senior Partner of DSK Legal, now Senior Counsel, Mr. Balbir Singh, my inspiration and my mentor when it comes to Competition Law, in my final year of law school. Back then, he was counsel for CCI before the then, Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) working on one of the most interesting cases, the Cement Cartel. I have never learnt so much about a subject than I did at that internship.

    My interest in competition law dates to 2011 and that’s when I decided to take this up as a full-time specialism. Again, a specialism doesn’t necessarily mean full time dedication only on that subject for the remainder of my legal life.

    • The key was to specialize in an area – that’s how I began my search.
    • Of course, having my roots attached to a moderately middle-class background, I cannot burden myself or my folks with a large sum as tuition fee.
    • The search for that one authority in that area of law and the school he/she teaches at.

    I was most fortunate to learn under the big stalwarts of Competition Law in the UK and QMUL. Unlike many who believe that a name matters more, I believe, a course does.

    “I was most fortunate to learn under the big stalwarts of Competition Law in the UK and QMUL. Unlike many who believe that a name matters more, I believe, a course does.”

    Did you apply for financial aid of any kind?

    Given my answer above, some may think it would’ve been wise to apply for financial aid. But the minute a financial aid application is seen along with a course application, the tendency is to look at these applications at a later stage when compared to those who are willing to pay a full tuition fee (this I learnt after interacting with one of the professors at QMUL at the selection panel). It’s simple economics.

    For countries such as the UK, Europe and the States, education and tourism are their biggest source of revenue. For them to aid you on that education, you need to be exceptionally brilliant with academics, which I wasn’t. I wouldn’t discourage people from applying for financial aid, but not as a first choice.

    “For countries such as the UK, Europe and the States, education and tourism are their biggest source of revenue. For them to aid you on that education, you need to be exceptionally brilliant with academics, which I wasn’t.”

    On the application itself, any advice for those struggling with the SoP? 

    The first thing that crosses any applicant’s mind while writing a SoP – ‘how do I write 500/750 words about myself?  To them I say this – stop listening to people who tell you if you can’t explain yourself in 500 words, you don’t know yourself. The other thing I’d say – please calm down.

    Every SoP is different in its own way. Some put down their struggles and their way out to learn, others put down their achievements and what they strive to do with it. The key is to build confidence in the eyes of the person ‘X’ who reads your SoP and tells herself, “I don’t want to look at this Applicant’s CV / Resume or recommendations. The applicant has given me enough insights”.

    • A Statement of Purpose is essentially a paper interview to a person who is sitting miles away from you and has no idea who or what you are. She / he doesn’t care for your riches, your background, your internships, your marks or even your law school or any school for that matter. All they are interested in – why do you want to study this course? How is our University going to help you achieve what you want and how will you use this education?
    • The SoP takes upto 10 months to bend into the right shape. So, don’t expect your first time to be the last. There are months of hardship, second thoughts, third thoughts, ditching plans to do your LLM etc. You should never let that get to you.
    • Don’t refer to someone else’s work, irrespective of how difficult it is. Your SoP is yours. You may have a family friend or relative who’s scored a Masters’ degree 10 years ago and may want to refer to her / his SoP for pattern and structure. This just clouds your head with judgement. Everything you write thereafter, will sound like that SoP which is of no value.
    • And finally, don’t show your SoP to more than 2 people. There is never such a thing called the ‘perfect SoP’.  Out of the two, one must be an English Teacher or a person who’s majored in English for structure, content and use of politically correct words and the other, must be a person who knows you well enough to give you biting comments and hard-hitting facts.

    How was the LLM experience itself? What were some of the biggest learnings made during the course?

    In a word – overwhelming.

    The teaching methodology is something unparalleled. ‘Spoon-feeding’, as is often done in law schools in India, does not exist in foreign schools. And that’s something we should strive to aim in Indian Law Schools as well. We will certainly not have a problem with their examination system since we are trained to sit in for a 3 – 4, hour examinations since grade 6. But the learning curve during class hours is much more.

    I don’t think I’ve ever missed a class because I was lazy to wake up in the morning or too tired after a late previous night. And this comes from a person who has struggled with attendance issues all through undergrad school. This should tell you a bit about the zeal and motivation with which the teachers prepare themselves and the students for every class.

    It’s exhausting to know that there is so much content and information on one topic. You can’t know it all, but that’s the point – you should strive to know it all. This is the biggest learning I got.

    “I don’t think I’ve ever missed a class because I was lazy to wake up in the morning or too tired after a late previous night. And this comes from a person who has struggled with attendance issues all through undergrad school.”

    After your LLM, you came back to practice in India – what was your reading of the UK legal market recruitments during your time there?

    Around 2015 – 16, UK had just voted to come out of the European Union. I had the grand opportunity to help setup one of India’s top firms, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan’s London office. Amidst a huge circle of Magic and Silver Circle Law firm, I was fortunate to travel with Mr. Kumaran to meet many Partners at law firms in London.

    While the legal market trend was changing in the UK, one of the things I noticed was their fight to enter the Indian Legal Market at any cost. Large firms have opened sizable India desks to work on India related matters alone (could be inbound India work or out-bound from India work). However, with Brexit and VISA regulations a major concern, most firm were reluctant to fund visas. The market was recruiting, with the UK legal market having almost reached its saturation, they were looking to diversify in the Indian market.

    In comparison, we had evolving and new laws in India, to build jurisprudence, to bring out loopholes and to bring in better structures and approaches to the Indian Legal system. We tend to undermine India a lot, but little do we realize, the opportunity we have, to establish and make a mark. Money isn’t an issue either (if you’re in corporate).

    But my heart always goes out to the litigation freaks like me who are constantly underpaid, which deters others from coming into litigation. But, twenty years down the line, a Senior Counsel would earn a lot more than a Senior Partner – so it’s a win – win.    

    The traditional perception is that Indian law firms don’t place much of a value on LLMs – thoughts?

    I don’t think it’s wise to generalize all law firms and say they don’t place value on your LLM. Some in fact place more value on your LLM than your former work experience or your undergraduate degree. As a Competition Law specialist, I’ve been told that my LLM brings in great value to the team and they consider that one year as work experience.

    What I can offer is this – in the coming years, foreign law firms will play a major role in transaction-based work, or even litigation-based work – through local counsel of course. Such law firms will look for a mixed bag of associates – some may even ask for associates who have foreign degrees to assist them on these matters. That is where an LLM stands high to take advantage.

    “Such law firms will look for a mixed bag of associates – some may even ask for associates who have foreign degrees to assist them on these matters. That is where an LLM stands high to take advantage.”

    Lastly, any advice for Indian law graduates who are looking to do an LLM abroad?

    • Work very hard for a minimum of 2 years before considering an LLM application or for LLM to serve you as a break;
    • Choose course strength over University name, and;
    •  Travel as much as possible.

  • First Person Accounts: Mrudul Dadhich on an LLM from Europa-Kolleg, the DAAD scholarship

     

    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 (LLM or otherwise) from different schools across the world.

    Mrudul Dadhich - Photograph
    Mrudul Dadhich

    In this edition we speak with Mrudul Dadhich who completed a master’s in law from the Europa-Kolleg, University of Hamburg (Class of ’15). Currently an associate at Khaitan & Co, Mrudul completed his undergraduate law degree from RGNUL, Patiala (Class of ’14). In this FPA, he talks about the LLM experience, the pros of enrolling for an LLM right after your undergraduate and a whole lot more.

    During what stage of your undergraduate course did you start considering an LLM? Did you consider working for a few years before embarking on an LLM?

    I considered the option of pursuing an LLM towards the end of the third year of my undergraduate course. I started by shortlisting Universities and LLM courses in which I was interested. For shortlisting the Universities, I spoke to a few alumni, read blogs written by other laws students who had pursued their LLM from outside India, and also kept an eye out for scholarships that were on offer (offered by either the University or by other institutional sponsors and programs).

    I was suggested by a few people to consider pursuing an LLM after gaining some work experience. However, after due consideration, I eventually decided that pursuing an LLM right after the undergraduate course could work better for me as it will give me a fair amount of international exposure.

    Also, personally I am of the belief that it is better off to complete the basic education (yes, internationally an LLM is considered as part of the basic legal education) upfront as at that time you are in sync and touch with the requirements of a study programme, as the perspective and the motivation to complete educational tasks/assignments changes once a person starts working. In the hindsight, today after working for almost four years, I can say this with certainty that for me it turned out best to pursue the LLM prior to joining law as a profession.

    “Personally I am of the belief that it is better off to complete the basic education upfront as at that time you are in sync and touch with the requirements of a study programme, as the perspective and the motivation to complete educational tasks/assignments changes once a person starts working.”

    You have mentioned that you only applied for the BCL, and DAAD scholarship – how did you go about narrowing down your options to these two?

    While selecting the possible options, I gave a lot of weightage to my interest in the courses offered and the total value addition that a particular program had to offer and by total value addition, I mean the benefits that I could harness apart from just the academic learnings. Frankly, an LLM does not overhaul your understanding of law that has been gained through the rigorous undergraduate curriculum, rather it supplements the learnings from the undergraduate program.

    Considering that the Indian legal system is more akin to the UK legal system than the US legal system, I decided to apply only for European Universities. Once the location was narrowed down, applying for BCL from Oxford was a no brainer. As for DAAD, the decision was motivated by my interest in competition law and the overall value addition which the DAAD scholarship had to offer. While academically the course offered by Europa-Kolleg, University of Hamburg (part of the DAAD scholarship) involved more of a comparative study companies law and competition law, so it was interesting for me to study that. It was more of the other considerations which appealed me more – chance of learning a new language, curriculum involved practical modules too.

    I was fortunate enough to get through both but the prospect of getting full scholarship for the LLM at Europa-Kolleg was more appealing and the clincher eventually.

    How was the LLM experience? What were some of the biggest learnings made during your time there?

    It was a terrific experience. I ticked all the boxes which I had imagined while deciding to pursue an LLM. By sheer luck, with the DAAD scholarship I eventually got more than I bargained for as in addition to picking up a bit of the German language, I also got a chance to work with the largest international firm (Baker McKenzie), visits to different functionary organs of the EU and the icing on the cake – meeting the German Chancellor, Ms. Angela Merkel.

    For me the biggest learnings were in the form of exposure I got while studying and living there. Academically and professionally, the style of teaching, the different perspectives of students from different nationalities and legal systems, the interactions with the professors (most of whom were also working with esteemed law firms or courts or EU organs) were the key takeaways.

    On the personal front, the confidence that I gained by realising that we are good enough to excel at global level and managing the chores of day to day life all by myself in a different environment and cultural set-up is something which I value greatly.

    “For me the biggest learnings were in the form of exposure I got while studying and living there. Academically and professionally, the style of teaching, the different perspectives of students from different nationalities and legal systems, the interactions with the professors (most of whom were also working with esteemed law firms or courts or EU organs) were the key takeaways.”

    You also worked at Baker & McKenzie’s anti-trust team – how was that experience? And was the internship easy to get?

    The experience at Baker was fantastic. All team members were very helpful and they made sure that I got appropriate guidance. It was a very welcoming environment and a great learning experience. The working style of an international law firm and the exposure I got there has really helped me in my work experience post the LLM.

    As part of the practice module of the curriculum, we were required to do a one-month internship at any organisation of our choice, it could have been a NGO, a company, a government organ or a law firm. With my background and interest, I tried to get an internship with the law firms.

    The process for getting an internship is quite transparent, you write to the concerned partner/HR department (depending upon firm policy) at the firm. The application, if shortlisted, is followed by an interview and then the confirmation. I applied to quite a few firms and got interviews and confirmation from some of them. I chose Baker McKenzie as I was getting a chance to be associated with the anti-trust law team. While we were required to do only a month long internship, I ended up interning for almost three months.

    One thing that I would like to share with respect to applying for internships is that it is always better off to apply well in advance.

    Given your current profile, how has the LLM helped you further your career as a corporate lawyer?

    As I said, the exposure that I got while studying there has been particularly helpful. The manner and approach for addressing any query or task that I learned from my stint at Baker McKenzie is something that I find useful in my career as a corporate lawyer.

    Having some working knowledge of legal provisions of key European jurisdictions and a foreign language also gives an edge.

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

    Be absolutely certain if you want to pursue an LLM. While deciding to pursue an LLM or not, be mindful of the fact that LLM should not be opted for considering the short term benefits or material gains like a coveted job, but the long term gains in form of the experience and exposure that one gains by pursuing it.

    Also, one needs to consider the cost and financial implications of pursuing an LLM; thus, an LLM with a scholarship is best advised for people opting for it right after the undergraduate course.

    “Also, one needs to consider the cost and financial implications of pursuing an LLM; thus, an LLM with a scholarship is best advised for people opting for it right after the undergraduate course.”

    Once decided, start the preparations like selecting the courses and the University, collating the application materials such as the Statement of Purpose, references, language proficiency test scores, etc. early.

  • First Person Accounts: Soumya Patnaik on an LLM from Leiden, the LexS scholarship

    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 from different schools across the world.

    Soumya Patnaik
    Soumya Patnaik

    In this edition of the FPA, we get to speak with Soumya Patnaik who recently graduated from Leiden Law School (Class of ’18). Soumya graduated from National Law University Jodhpur (Class of ’11) after which she worked at JSA for close to seven years before embarking on an LLM in Advanced Studies in Law & Digital Technologies at Leiden University. She also happens to be a recipient of the Leiden University Excellence scholarship (LexS).

    How did you narrow down on Leiden University? Were there any other schools that you looked at?

    My choice was primarily based on the specialisation that I wanted to pursue and the reputation that Leiden Law School enjoys in this respect. The Netherlands is one of the leading countries in the field of technology and innovation, and therefore, pursuing an LL.M in digital technologies in the Netherlands was an obvious choice.

    I had also applied to Stanford, Berkeley and Fordham, and in fact, gotten offers from all of them. However, my decision to choose Leiden was motivated by the fact that the tuition fee was much higher in the US universities, for a course that was of the same standard, and I received a full LexS scholarship that covered my tuition fee in Leiden. Moreover, the EU is a pioneer in digital rights, and my personal values are more in line with EU policy.

    “Moreover, the EU is a pioneer in digital rights, and my personal values are more in line with EU policy.”

    Any advice on how to approach the SoP, and the application for the LexS scholarship?

    A very important point to remember is that the SoP is not a description of your qualifications listed in the CV. An SoP is an opportunity to express your skills and motivations for pursing the program. It is also the opportunity to stand out. Therefore, make the SoP interesting, coherent, logical and honest.

    “An SoP is an opportunity to express your skills and motivations for pursing the program. It is also the opportunity to stand out. Therefore, make the SoP interesting, coherent, logical and honest.”

    An interesting anecdote is good to have, but care must be taken to not go overboard with it. The university receives many applications and can easily sieve through the ones that are clearly exaggerated. Same goes for the LexS scholarship. In the latter, it would be a good idea to emphasise how the candidate would help the field that s/he is seeking scholarship for. Concrete examples go a long way in strengthening the application.

    Looking back, what were some of the advantages of gaining some PQE before the LLM? Any disadvantages?

    The biggest advantage is perspective. I didn’t choose to do an LL.M simply because it was a Master’s degree in a foreign country.

    My PQE helped me understand what I wanted my future to look like; what fields of law I could see myself excelling in, and what fields I would eliminate going forward. Without trying out different things, how does one know what she actually likes?

    “My PQE helped me understand what I wanted my future to look like; what fields of law I could see myself excelling in, and what fields I would eliminate going forward. Without trying out different things, how does one know what s/he actually likes?”

    I would thus always advise working before pursuing an LL.M. Having said that, everyone’s trajectory is different.

    How was the LLM experience? What were some of the biggest learnings made during your time at Leiden?

    My year in Leiden was definitely one of the best in my life. Quoting a friend, “I was at the right place, at the right time, with the right people.”

    Being in an international environment is fruitful in many ways; it helps in broadening one’s horizons and gaining perspective. The LL.M program itself was an excellent choice; it was refreshing to be in a classroom with lecturers who were renowned in their respective fields, and passionate about emerging legal and ethical concerns surrounding digital technology.

    They gave us challenging assignments that made us think. I definitely grew as a lawyer, scholar and human being in many ways during this year. One of the biggest learnings I would say, is my ability now, to see technology and its impact on our lives in an objective way, and not in terms of black and white alone. I believe this would enable me to contribute to policy making and regulation in more realistic terms.

    “One of the biggest learnings I would say, is my ability now, to see technology and its impact on our lives in an objective way, and not in terms of black and white alone.”

    How difficult or easy was it to gain recruitment after the LLM? Any advice for Indian law graduates looking to use the LLM to move jurisdictions?

    It is definitely not easy to get a job in the EU after an LLM. However, for me, the biggest advantage was that I pursued a very specialised LL.M and looked for a job in that specialised field itself.

    No doubt, the GDPR coming into force played a big part in me getting a job here. My advice would be to pursue a specialised LL.M rather than a generic one.

    Lastly, any advice for Indian law graduates who are keen on pursuing an LLM abroad? 

    I would ask them to firstly reflect on what they expect at the end of their LL.M. If they are unsure, then I would suggest working for a few years first. If they still want to do an LL.M, they would probably know if they want to pursue an academic career, practice in a law firm, or branch out into policy or research.

    To be honest, getting a job with a foreign law firm is very hard, even with an LL.M. So, they must keep that in mind while making their decision. Finally, it is important to follow one’s heart. I believe that if one pursues a specialisation in a field that she is truly interested in, then everything else eventually falls into place.

    “Finally, it is important to follow one’s heart. I believe that if one pursues a specialisation in a field that she is truly interested in, then everything else eventually falls into place.”

     

    End Notes

  • First Person Accounts: Prarthna Kedia on an LLM from UC Berkeley School of Law

    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 from different schools across the world.

    In this edition of the FPA, we get talking with Prarthna Kedia, who is currently working at the Cogent Law Group in Washington DC. A graduate of the School of Law at Christ University (Class of ’11), Prarthna worked for two years before enrolling for an LLM at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

    In this FPA, she discusses her reasons for applying to Berkeley, the process of writing a statement of purpose, the US legal market and much more.

    Prarthna Kedia
    Prarthna Kedia

    Were you thinking of doing an LLM right after graduation? Or was this something you decided to do only after working for a few years?

    During the first two years, at Christ University we were exposed to a very dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment, the primary reason being a truly world class faculty,  a few of them had done their masters  from very good schools in U.S. and U.K, such as Columbia University, LSE and Stanford to name a few.

    The seed was planted right then, immediately after graduation I was consumed in looking for jobs,  but even while working the thought of doing an LL.M. kept coming back to me. Having worked with litigation law firms for about two years, I finally decided to apply to a U.S. LL.M. program.

    How did you go about selecting which law schools to apply to? And why did you narrow down on UC Berkeley?

    If I wanted to do an LL.M., it had to be from a good school. I applied to a few schools in the US. Berkeley was on top of my list. I had read about the faculty and researched the courses that were being offered. I took a mix of IP and business law courses.  I chose my course on the basis of the faculty members teaching the specific courses.

    Any advice on how to go about writing the SoP for LLM applications?

    An SoP is going to be the most important document, that universities are going to look at, when making a decision.  In my case, after having written it out myself, I got it reviewed by friends who had already done their LL.M. and by a few faculty members I was in touch with.

    It took months to reach a final version to send out to universities. So my advice would be to give it time, and have it reviewed multiple times, you want to make it simple, lucid and have only the relevant information in.

    “It took months to reach a final version to send out to universities. So my advice would be to give it time, and have it reviewed multiple times, you want to make it simple, lucid and have only the relevant information in.”

    Did you apply for any sort of financial aid?

    I applied for the South Asian Student Scholarship, which also required me to write an SoP-like essay. It generally has specific guidelines as to what the scholarship is looking at. The University offers  both, merit and citizenship-based scholarships which are awarded to outstanding admitted LL.M. students each year.  Scholarship decisions are made at the time of admission. 

    Some of these Scholarships, such as mine, require  a separate application for all other scholarships there is no separate application needed, and all eligible admitted applicants will be considered.

    Looking back, what was the biggest positive of the LLM experience? 

    The biggest positive of the LL.M. experience was having  met some of the brightest minds from different parts of the world, classroom teaching was enriched by varied experiences of peers from around the world.

    Since we got to network at a very personal level with each other, I still gain a lot out of the alumni network at a professional and personal level.

    After your LLM, you came back to India before eventually moving to the US – what prompted you to move to the US?

    I was given a sabbatical from work for pursuing my LL.M. After having done my LL.M, and having met some of past alumni members working in the U.S., it was an attractive proposition to try and set foot into the U.S. legal market.

    “However, the legal job market is very challenging here and more so for foreign lawyers, it takes a lot of networking and immense patience to be able to obtain a job.”

    However, the legal job market is very challenging here and more so for foreign lawyers, it takes a lot of networking and immense patience to be able to obtain a job. Since I was already working in India before I started the LL.M. program in the US, it made sense for me to go back to India and resume my work as at attorney there. However, I wanted to work in the US and kept in regular touch with lawyers who were already working here. 

    In 2016, I met my future husband, who was working as an energy economist in the U.S., which gave me an additional incentive to move. Even before moving I started connecting with people and getting a sense of the steps I should be taking, the initial days involved a lot of networking. At a networking event I met the founder of Cogent Law Group LLP which offered me a position, which is where I currently work.

    As a legal professional in the US, what is your reading of the legal market? Do you think there are recruitment opportunities for Indian law students with a US LLM?

    As I already mentioned, the market is very competitive and even more challenging for foreign lawyers, an LL.M. from a good school does help getting your resume noticed, but even with that the challenges are numerous.

    Having said that, there are lot of foreign lawyers working here, all of these people  would have discovered different ways of getting around the market. In my experience huge amounts of patience, and almost an equal amount of faith is the key. If you set your mind to it, it is not impossible.

    “In my experience huge amounts of patience, and almost an equal amount of faith is the key. If you set your mind to it, it is not impossible.”

    Lastly, any advice for Indian law grads who are thinking of an LLM outside the country?

    My advice would be to introspect and understand the real purpose one wants to do an LL.M., it is an investment in terms of both time and money, talk to people who have already tread this path. In my opinion its a very good long term investment, provided one uses the experience effectively in the short term.

     

    End Notes

  • The LLM #Admissions: Margaret Llyod, Notre Dame Law School

    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.

    In this edition we feature Margaret Lloyd,  the LL.M. Student Services Program Director at Notre Dame Law School. In an e-mail interview, Margaret discusses the kind of applicants that her law school looks for, how one should go about writing the statement of purpose, the US legal recruitment market, and a whole lot more.

    Margaret Lloyd/Notre Dame Law School
    Margaret Lloyd/Notre Dame Law School

    Let us start from the start – why do you think Indian law graduates should opt for an international LLM in general, and why Notre Dame law school in particular?

    Indian law graduates who recognize the need for an advanced degree in US law as essential to their personal and professional development should consider an LLM in US Legal Studies.  Many international students desire to take a bar exam, and need an LLM degree to be eligible.  Beyond that, we have many students who use the LLM degree to advance their career in their home country, whether that is a leap to a more prestigious firm or a university professorship, and more.

    Why Notre Dame Law School?

    Notre Dame Law School values the diversity that international LL.M. students bring to the law school community. International students are fully integrated into the Law School’s curriculum and culture as they attend classes and take part in student activities with their U.S. classmates. All students have access to the core curriculum of the Law School, and may choose to concentrate their studies in a variety of specializations by taking advanced courses offered in the J.D. program. We are unique in that we keep our LL.M. program intentionally small so that students are given personalized attention, support, and flexibility to create a plan that best meets their educational and career goals.

    We are unique in that we keep our LL.M. program intentionally small so that students are given personalized attention, support, and flexibility to create a plan that best meets their educational and career goals.

    Is there a particular profile of applicants that you are looking for? For instance, applicants who are fresh out of the undergraduate course, or those who have a few years of work experience?

    We welcome applicants along the spectrum of their professional development. Both, recently graduated lawyers and those who have practiced in the legal field will find the support needed to succeed at Notre Dame Law School.

    So, two obstacles that applicants often face are writing the personal statement and choosing referees – what advice would you have on approaching these two components?

    When I read a personal statement I look for two main ideas: who are you? and how can we at Notre Dame Law School help you achieve your personal and professional goals?  I look for a statement that will help me get to know you on a personal level.  I then want to know why you are interested in our law school – is it the faculty, the mission, the courses offered – what will help you succeed?

    I look for a statement that will help me get to know you on a personal level.  I then want to know why you are interested in our law school – is it the faculty, the mission, the courses offered – what will help you succeed?

    Similarly, when selecting someone to write a recommendation for you, the writer should know you well and be able to offer specific examples of your abilities and aptitude.  We look for a recommendation from a professor, who will describe how you perform in an academic setting.  If you have been out of school for a number of years and it is difficult to have a professor write a recommendation, a supervisor whom you have worked with for an extended period is a good choice.

    Can Indian applicants seek a waiver on the English proficiency requirement? 

    Yes.  If you have graduated from a university level program where English was the language of instruction, you can request a waiver.

    A lot of applicants are looking to move jurisdictions after the LLM. How early should they start looking at the bar exams, and are there is any support/prep assistance offered by the law school?

    You should begin to look at bar eligibility requirements prior to leaving India to study in the United States. You will be required to submit documentation such as transcripts,  proof of fulfilment of the educational requirements, degree certificates, and more. It is best to gather these documents while you are home to ensure you have all the documents needed.

    Each class you take will help you prepare for the bar exam, and while you are in the LLM program your course work is your top priority. Students will often use a commercial bar preparation service post graduation to prepare for the bar exam. It will take a lot of study, but each year, many LLM students take and pass a bar exam.

    Is there any data that you can share on the amount of funding/aid that is provided to international LLM students? 

    I do not have specific data on scholarships as we are a small program. The admissions committee evaluates each application and considers each for admission and scholarship.  In your decision letter, you will be notified if you are admitted, and the amount of scholarship awarded.

    Given your experience, what is your reading of the US legal market when it comes to the recruitment of international LLM graduates? 

    Graduates who are committed to finding a position in the United States will find one. There are many opportunities within the legal community where the skills an international LLM brings are valued.

    When it comes to the LLM in London, are there career development services offered specifically for externships/recruitments in the UK market?

    Yes, Director of the London Law Program Michael Addo is committed to identifying internship opportunities for our LLM students in London.

    Here on campus, we have a dedicated Career Development Officer who works with LLMs throughout the year addressing topics such as resumes and cover letters, networking, and interviewing skills.

    The LLM course lasts barely nine months – any advice on how applicants can make the most of the course? 

    Each applicant should come prepared to  take advantage of the resources offered at Notre Dame Law School. Our expert faculty is available beyond the classroom. You should establish relationships with professors who teach and research in your area of interest.

    We regularly have speakers on numerous topics present to the law school community.  We also have many, many student organizations that would benefit from an international student perspective.

    Our Student Bar Association hosts many social events throughout the year so you can relax and have fun with your classmates.  In addition, the entire campus is available to our law students. Our athletic facilities and competitions, world class theatre and musical productions, our art museum – and more- can be found on our beautiful campus.