Would an LLM be advantageous in looking for a training contract?

Wolfey

I'm a law graduate and I passed the FE-1s a few years ago. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to secure a training contract.

I've been offered a place on an LLM degree course and I'm just wondering whether this qualification would make a big difference in securing a training contract?

seb65

Wolfey wrote: »

I'm a law graduate and I passed the FE-1s a few years ago. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to secure a training contract.

I've been offered a place on an LLM degree course and I'm just wondering whether this qualification would make a big difference in securing a training contract?

Depends on where from.

nuac

I dont think an LL M would be worth the cost and time
.

Wolfey

seb65 wrote: »

Depends on where from.

Trinity College.

Wolfey

nuac wrote: »

I dont think an LL M would be worth the cost and time
.

I've tried everything else at this stage, so this is basically my last shot!

NoQuarter

If you were applying to the Top tier firms, I would imagine a commercial law or business masters would be a big advantage.

Raisins

Wolfey wrote: »

I've tried everything else at this stage, so this is basically my last shot!

What do you mean? Nobody can answer the question in the OP without knowing how close you are to a training contract without a masters.

The first thing is if you really want to work for a particular firm then ask them what you're missing.

Aside from that if you have zero work experience then working for free as an intern is very helpful. If you have zero charity work then do a cycle an raise money. If you have a 2.2 then obviously going into the commercial masters in UCD and coming in the top 5 in your class would put you in with a shot. If you have never done erasmus or worked or studied abroad then look at an LLM abroad as opposed to at home.

It's too general a question to answer definitively. I would say though that the LLM in Trinity is a general LLM. That's something you should seriously take into consideration.

seb65

NoQuarter wrote: »

If you were applying to the Top tier firms, I would imagine a commercial law or business masters would be a big advantage.

I've heard that if firms value an LLM, they do not really care what it's in. Further, a Business Masters (MBA) is very expensive and not necessary to work in law....or in business for that matter.

You should do your LLM in what you're interested in.

Personally, the in-class hours for an LLM are so low, if you did do it, you could probably intern/volunteer to get experience, or work part-time (in some law-related area) as well. There's been a lot of talk, especially in America, of the "education bubble". That is, this younger generation is continually seeking more education and taking on more debt for that education, thinking it will get them ahead.

Do the LLM, get excellent grades, but also get experience in the "real world" interning or volunteering. At the very least, you'll make some contacts.

Lawstud

I wouldn't bother doing a Masters unless you really want to. Although one advantage of a masters is that it opens up the possibility of getting into lecturing etc if you were that way inclined. Nice earner on the side if you manage to get in to it.

At your stage and with a view to separating yourself from others and indeed for the furtherance of your career prospects in general I would advise doing a qualification in Alternative Dispute Resolution i.e. Arbitration and mediation. It's the future.

Alternatively, do something business oreintated ie an accounting diploma or something tax related

One thing I would strongly emphasizes is not to do any more purely legal study. You have your degree and your Fe 1 that's enough law. Broaden your horizons.

Good luck.

Wolfey

Lawstud wrote: »

I wouldn't bother doing a Masters unless you really want to. Although one advantage of a masters is that it opens up the possibility of getting into lecturing etc if you were that way inclined. Nice earner on the side if you manage to get in to it.

At your stage and with a view to separating yourself from others and indeed for the furtherance of your career prospects in general I would advise doing a qualification in Alternative Dispute Resolution i.e. Arbitration and mediation. It's the future.

Alternatively, do something business oreintated ie an accounting diploma or something tax related

One thing I would strongly emphasizes is not to do any more purely legal study. You have your degree and your Fe 1 that's enough law. Broaden your horizons.

Good luck.

I studied ADR a few years ago.

I've very little interest in accounting/tax, so no point pursuing study in these areas.


Do you think that an LLM (with good grades) would be beneficial in applying for jobs outside of the legal profession?

the_real_lamp

From my experience of the big firms as many of the trainees don't have LLMs as do, so there appears to be no explicit benefit. Having a LLM will not make it tougher to get a contract though.

Most firms will look at work experience as all applicants for firms will have degrees or LLMs.

Having done a LLM, my advice would be that you should do one in an area of law that you are interested and try a work for free a couple of mornings/days in a law firm (you will have the time, the workload is not that exhaustive), and that this would help you get a contract imho.

In interviews, being able to talk about experience is crucial.

Dandelion6

I passed my FE-1s, applied all over the place, never even got an interview.

Then did an LLM and was taken on as a trainee by the first place I applied to afterwards.

My LLM was specifically in one of that firm's practice areas BTW.

Sala

Dandelion6 can I ask was it a commercial law firm? It appears from people I have been talking to the larger firms value LLMs highly.

Wolfey I am considering the same, although I'd have to do it by distance learning. I think at this stage I need further qualifications or experience or both!

Right 2B a liar

I have a BA did my FE1 got no TC so did a LLM in the meantime had three offers at the start of the year. In total the LLM cost €16,000 between fees and living away from home, was it worth it? IMO I think so I really enjoyed it plus made great contacts for the future and education is never a waste. If you can afford it do it, however if you had the option of doing meaningful work in a law firm I would choose that over doing a LLM

Dandelion6

Sala wrote: »

Dandelion6 can I ask was it a commercial law firm?

No.