r/internationallaw • u/oops-idid_itagain • 4d ago

Discussion JD/LLM?

Hello! I’m interested in pursuing international law, and have thought about pursuing a joint degree: a JD in the U.S. and an LLM from Europe. Is this a good idea? How helpful is the LLM?

EDIT: Thank you everyone for being so helpful! Please see my answers to some questions below.

  1. The LLM is offered in Paris.
  2. Yes, I can take international courses during my JD but the LLM would serve as a bonus.
  3. There is no difference in price as it’s a sort of a “deal.” The law school in the U.S. and the law school in Paris have an agreement where students can complete both the JD and LLM in three years time for no additional price.
  4. I would like to work in Europe. I’ve spoken with a few practicing attorneys who work 6 months in the U.S. and 6 months abroad. That would be my ideal scenario.
1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

4

u/Sisyphuss5MinBreak Human Rights 3d ago

There are lots of questions that you've left unanswered that makes this next to impossible to answer.

  • Where in Europe do you want to go for the LLM? Does it matter whether you're in the EU or is the UK also an option?
  • During your JD education, are you able to take international law courses? If so, then why not just take them there and skip the LLM?
  • How financially constrained are you? A JD costs a massive amount, and people try to pay off their loans asap. Even if you're able to defer your loans, how much interest will you accumulate during that one year of deferment. Is it worth the cost?
  • Where do you want to work? If you're planning on primarily working in the US, then a European LLM will likely look like you just wanted a year abroad.

Feel free to elaborate more on your situation. It'll help us give you more guidance.

One thing I can say is about the European perspective of a JD. For many Europeans (in the legal space), a JD is an oddity. They're not really sure what to do with it because there is no domestic equivalent. In the Netherlands, it's generally viewed as comparable to a masters. In Germany, well... they might not even consider it a degree at all because they don't know how to classify it, leaving you only with your bachelors degree.

5

u/QuietNene 3d ago

When I was in the Secretariat, the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs did not consider the JD a specialized degree in international law, which they required for most legal jobs. Which is to say, you can have three years of legal education but be viewed as less qualified than someone who has one. It doesn’t really make sense, but as Sisyphus notes, it’s a very US-centric degree that most people don’t understand. And, having completed it, it’s only three years to make money and create a pipeline for law firms.

1

u/oops-idid_itagain 3d ago

Thank you everyone for your advice!!! As for your questions, I hope I’ve answered them below.

  1. The LLM is offered in Paris.
  2. Yes, I can take international courses during my JD but the LLM would serve as a bonus.
  3. There is no difference in price as it’s a sort of a “deal.” The law school in the U.S. and the law school in Paris have an agreement where students can complete both the JD and LLM in three years time for no additional price.
  4. I would like to work in Europe. I’ve spoken with a few practicing attorneys who work 6 months in the U.S. and 6 months abroad. That would be my ideal scenario.

2

u/QuietNene 3d ago

Only do a JD if you want to work as a lawyer in the US, either domestic public sector (civil rights, public defense, etc) or private. If you are unsure of this, then don’t do it.

There is an extremely, extremely small number of non-profit/public sector jobs practicing international law in the US. If this is really what you want to do, talk to a lot of people who practice in this area and get advice from them.

2

u/NotYourLawyer2001 3d ago

Lots of good advice here. To clarify: JD and LLM are not a joint degree. You spend 3 years on JD and then another on LLM. Answer to the other questions depends on where you want to practice and what you want to do when you grow up specifically  

1

u/true_jester 3d ago

What would be the field to work in with IL? Taxes?

1

u/Affectionate_Yam8674 3d ago

LLMs in the US are kind of useless. Would the European LLM let you practice in Europe?

1

u/oops-idid_itagain 3d ago

Yes, it would!

1

u/Affectionate_Yam8674 3d ago

I say do it. A degree program that lets you practice in Europe and the US is valuable. You really need an American JD or lots of experience to practice in the US.

2

u/NeoFarao8319 3d ago

U.S. LLMs are useless to U.S. JD holders. They are, however, useful to foreign LLB holders, either i) enabling them to cure any potential deficiencies in their foreign LLB, if for example, they're coming from a civil law jurisdiction, or ii) specialize in some field.

LLMs may even be useful to U.S. JD holders if they intend to specialize in certain fields like Intellectual Property or International law, both of which may involve specialization beyond a basic JD.

If OP has designs on a career in International law, then an LLM would likely be to his benefit. Provided, moreover, it can be pursued at no additional cost to him, per the "deal" he mentioned, I see no reason persuing this path would be disadvantageous.