Taking Your Love of Law to the Next Level
So you've decided to become an attorney, and now you get butterflies imagining how you'll single-handedly save the world. Good for you! Now slow down, take a deep breath, and consider your next move.
These days, getting a JD is only the first step in becoming a great attorney. Earning a second law degree-the LLM-can help you turn your budding romance into a serious, lifelong commitment.
Law Goes Global
The master of laws degree, as the LLM is internationally known, has only recently gained popularity with U.S. students as a means of securing positions at highly selective firms. It typically takes one year of full-time study (or two years part time) to complete an LLM, with credit fulfillment ranging from 22 to 28 hours.
LLM degree grants better access to international business sectors, and is thusly seen as an added advantage by legal firms in the United States and abroad.
Is the LLM for You?
The spectrum of legal specialization is wide, and it is not uncommon for both new and established lawyers to seek direction. An LLM will allow you to dig deeper into a particular field, all the while sharpening those skills that are most vital to an attorney-advanced reading and writing.
If you want a legal career that can take you places, talk to your advisor about the advantages of earning an LLM. Taking just one extra year to earn your LLM could mean the difference between practicing law and living your passion.
By Hannah Roberts, staff writer
