DC would increase marketability to DC firms.

Corporate is not a large practice area in DC-most of the work is in NY and the Bay Area.

It would provide access to the Georgetown placement office.

True. But what are they going to do with you?

It would show an interest in Securities since I lack the undergraduate background.

Almost all securities work is learned on the job.

Securities is very specialized, similar to tax, and Georgetown has the best program in the nation.

Almost all securities work is learned on the job.

It enables me to do an SEC internship prior to the start of the LLM, which is usually only available to 2L's.

True-but this is government and not private sector experience. They are different. The private sector typically values its own training and not government training.

It gives me a second bite at the apple for applying to fed honors programs which tend to take LLMs into great consideration and offer a higher pay grade.

If this is what you want to do it may be ideal.

My parents can cover housing and living expenses but I will be responsible for tuition costs.

That may be helpful and make it worthwhile.

Will Getting an LL.M. Degree Help My Legal Career?

Harrison Barnes

I read your article on LL.M. degrees and was wondering if you thought my case would be a worthy exception. I have just been accepted into the Securities & Financial Regulation LL.M. at Georgetown. I am just looking for a slight bump from the LL.M. to enable me to get a job in a big firm or with the federal government.

Goals/reasons why I think the LL.M. might be worth it over the job offer:

1. Georgetown would slightly class up the resume. Top 10% at T40-50 is very different from someone at an unaccredited school thinking it will save the resume.

That's true-but the concept talked about in the article is the same. You are going from a regional law school to a national one. If you want to do securities, why not try to go to a law firm that does this work now?

I really liked the weekly report that was sent. I really liked that my legal placement professional text messaged me and....Read more >

Allison Kheel

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Class Of 2009

Placed at Fisher & Phillips LLP

I don't have experience working with any other search firms, but Jennifer was just really available to talk, she was hel....Read more >

Nicholas Contento

University of Notre Dame, Class Of 2017

Placed at Baker Botts L.L.P.

The communication was reasonably good and timely. I thought the woman I worked with was very professional and she was go....Read more >

Andrew Friedman

University of Minnesota, Class Of 1993

Placed at Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, PA

She was very communicative and bottom line got the job so whatever she did, it worked! You had resources that I wasn't f....Read more >

Thomas Eastmond

USC Gould School of Law, Class Of 2000

Placed at Enterprise Counsel Group, A Law Corporation

I would have to say that my favorite thing about working with BCG and Karen was the extent with which she valued my pers....Read more >

Frank George

The University of Akron School of Law, Class Of 2018

Placed at McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., L.P.A.

I think my favorite thing about working with BCG and Becca was just overall the advice on how to approach the search, I ....Read more >

Jason File

Yale University Law School, Class Of 2004

Placed at Cooley LLP

Will Getting an LL.M. Degree Help My Legal Career?

Want to continue reading?

Become a free BCG Attorney Search Subscriber.

Do you want a better legal career?

About Harrison Barnes

Active Interview Jobs

Featured Jobs

Most Viewed Jobs

Upload Your Resume

Additional Resources