In today’s competitive job market, having a standout legal CV is crucial for aspiring lawyers and legal professionals. With various educational options available, including the opportunity to pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) degree, many individuals wonder whether investing their time and resources in this advanced program can truly enhance their legal CV. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of studying an LLM for your Legal CV and career.
1. Specialised Knowledge and Expertise:
Pursuing an LLM can help you gain specialised knowledge in a particular area of law. This degree allows individuals to delve deeper into specific legal subjects, gaining a comprehensive understanding of complex legal principles.
2. Demonstrating Commitment and Dedication:
Completing an LLM program requires a significant amount of commitment and dedication, which can be a testament to an individual’s work ethic and determination.
3. Enhanced Analytical and Research Skills:
During an LLM program, students are encouraged to engage in critical analysis, extensive research, and independent thinking. These skills are highly valued in the legal profession, as lawyers are often required to assess complex legal issues and provide well-reasoned arguments.
4. Academic Legal Career:
If you are interested in pursuing an academic legal career, perhaps going onto becoming a researcher or lecturer in the field – then an LLM is an essential component in this career path, before pursuing a pHD.
The potential negatives or disadvantages of studying an LLM however, include:
1. Limited Practical Experience:
One common criticism of LLM programs is that they often focus heavily on theoretical aspects of law, with limited opportunities for practical application. While these programs provide in-depth knowledge in a specific area of law, they may not offer the same level of practical skills development as other forms of legal education, such as internships or clinical programs. This lack of practical experience can be seen as a disadvantage, as employers often value hands-on skills and real-world experience.
2. Cost and Time Commitment:
Pursuing an LLM can be a significant financial investment. Additionally, the time commitment required to complete an LLM can be demanding, often requiring one or more years of full-time study.
3. Limited Job Guarantee:
While an LLM can enhance the academic section of your Legal CV, it does not guarantee immediate job placement or career advancement. The legal job market remains highly competitive, and employers often consider a combination of factors, including practical experience, networking, and personal skills, when making hiring decisions. Therefore, it is important to recognise that an LLM alone may not be sufficient to secure a desired job position or guarantee career success.
Conclusion:
While studying an LLM offers benefits, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks as well. Limited practical experience, the cost and time commitment, the lack of job guarantee, and the potential for overqualification are factors that individuals should weigh when deciding whether to pursue an LLM. Ultimately, the decision should align with one’s career goals, personal circumstances, and the specific requirements of the legal job market.
My Advice:
This might be controversial but in my personal opinion, studying for an LLM is only worthwhile if you either want to pursue an academic legal career OR you are genuinely interested in learning more about the subject area / have a love of learning. In terms of the legal job market, I have not seen LLM holders receive any advantages over non-LLM holders.
Sadly, I have many students – particularly international students – who come to me while studying for an LLM under the false impression that this will significantly enhance their prospects of obtaining a job in that particular area of law. Unfortunately this is not the case. Whilst an LLM may demonstrate a keen interest in a particular area of law for the purposes of training contract applications, it does not guarantee you a legal job or give you a competitive advantage over someone with practical experience when it comes to your job hunt.
I believe Universities need to do more to raise awareness of these pros and cons so students can make an informed decision before investing further funds and time to pursue an LLM.
If you are a student or LLM graduate looking for support with your Legal CV, or job search, please do get in touch with me.