What goals should you, as an LL.M. student or graduate, have? The details depend on your career objectives, but there are foundational goals that every LL.M. should pursue no matter what career they choose or in which country they plan to practice in the future.
One of the biggest mistakes an LL.M. can make is to select the goal “anything.” Many students answer my question, “What would you like to do after your LL.M.?” with: “I really just want to find anything.” In this context, anything equals nothing: If an LL.M. is pursuing anything, she is pursuing nothing at all. Anything is not a goal; it is the absence of one.
Let us look at some goals all LL.M’s should consider pursuing:
Build a Global Network
LL.M. students should build and cultivate relationships within the global legal community before, during, and after the LL.M. Nothing, absolutely nothing can excuse refusing to foster a network. Any attempt to justify having failed to do so shows one thing only: That this person does not understand what it takes to be a successful global legal professional. Not networking is self-sabotage.
Get Solid Grades
Grades are crucial, albeit not as important as for JD students. Grades, however, should not be an excuse to disregard networking.
Pass a Bar Exam
Some LL.M’s contemplate taking a US bar exam, and I encourage every LL.M. to do so. Two months of study will lead to a license in the United States. Not being authorized to practice law in the US may mean that we leave opportunities on the table for a future we know does not always turn out to be as we have planned. I have met many LL.M. graduates who did not take the bar exam and now find themselves in a situation where they need or would benefit from it.
Garner Experience
We often define experience in too a limited way as “working for money.” But valuable experience is much broader than that. It includes internships, externships, volunteer opportunities, clinics, committee work in bar associations, journal participation, and more. Even if someone finds herself not employed, she can still be busy adding experience to her resume. All that is necessary is proactivity and creativity.
