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Re: Is an interest in int'l law worth the time/$ of getting a JD

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:07 pm
by Addicted to LSAT
Try getting in touch with some people who do the kind of work you might be interested in. This of course requires that you have some idea as to what jobs you'd be going for as opposed to just an interest in certain subjects. Don't be intimidated to contact some important people in the fields you are interested in. You'd be surprised how even very 'important people' are happy to talk with young students hopeful to get into their field. Ask them about what educational path they took and also what they expect is required now to get to where they are. (things change and just because they went the law route or MA it might not still be the best route) And if you're still not sure what you want to do ask them about what they do on a daily basis.
Ask them if they know of other people you can talk to about this area.
As an added bonus you will also start to build some connections for after school or even land some internship job now to help give you a better idea as to where you will be happiest.

Good luck!

Re: Is an interest in int'l law worth the time/$ of getting a JD

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:15 pm
by leftofthedial
For what it's worth, I spent a lot of time debating between a JD and an MPP. I talked to everyone I could, from folks at State and USAID (some with prestigious MPP's) to nonprofits to firms that do international trade law to folks at think tanks.

The vast majority of them were in DC, and they all said go for the law degree over the MPP. They all seemed to think that the law degree would go further, be more intellectually challenging, and make more cash in the long run. Maybe not if you're a boots on the ground type, but that's not me.

Re: Is an interest in int'l law worth the time/$ of getting a JD

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:21 pm
by cpboy77
Thanks guys.

Re: Is an interest in int'l law worth the time/$ of getting a JD

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:24 pm
by GeePee
This could still be a waste of years of your life. Do you know any other languages or have other marketable international skills? If you could see what it's like to have a position at one of the organizations from a (somewhat) inside perspective, it could make or break your decision to go to law school. I would try getting in touch with someone at an organization with which you'd like to practice and see if you can pick their brain. In the end, the type of work you envision yourself doing might be obtainable without a JD.

On the other hand, if you're still open and enthusiastic about other types of legal work, I see no reason not to pursue the JD.

Re: Is an interest in int'l law worth the time/$ of getting a JD

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:56 pm
by cpboy77
On the other hand, if you're still open and enthusiastic about other types of legal work, I see no reason not to pursue the JD.[/quote]

^That's what I'm trying to figure out at this point. Environmental law also seems interesting, so that's a start...lol.

Re: Is an interest in int'l law worth the time/$ of getting a JD

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:04 pm
by soyable
For what it's worth, I worked at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia last year and I knew prosecuting attorneys who got JDs from UVA, Michigan, and Stanford. They were also relatively young/fresh out of law school. So it's definitely possible, especially if you stay focused. You might also look into LLM programs in international law; there are good ones in Geneva and in Galway, Ireland.