what's the deal with NYU's Tax program (JD) Forum

[dabigchina]

I am currently trying to decide where to go to school. I am interested in practicing tax law because I have significant experience in the field and what I have seen of it is interesting.

I took a look at some firm bios for tax lawyers at Davis Polk, Skadden, baker and mckenzie, Mcdermott, and WSGR. I looked at partners only because I didn't want to sift through a billion bios.

Out of all the partners I saw, only 1 went to NYU for their JD. There were were a few Columbia Alums (not really known for their tax program) and quite a few GULC alums (not going to go there because of bad employment). I will say that there were quite a few NYU LLMs.

So what's the deal? I thought NYU was supposed to be #1 in tax, but judging by my informal survey, it looks like NYU is lagging its main competition.

[butlerraider1]

I could be wrong, but I think when people say that NYU is #1 in tax, they are referring to LLM programs.

[dabigchina]

So I guess what I'm seeing is purely a result of Columbia's ability to place into biglaw?

[Johann]

yeah of course can columbia can place well into biglaw. the #1 tax ranking or whatever comes from NYU's llm program, but those classes are available to JDs. if you have a tax background, you'll be fine from either NYU or Columbia. Neither is going to make a difference. You're really splitting hairs.

[dabigchina]

yeah of course can columbia can place well into biglaw. the #1 tax ranking or whatever comes from NYU's llm program, but those classes are available to JDs. if you have a tax background, you'll be fine from either NYU or Columbia. Neither is going to make a difference. You're really splitting hairs.

Taking high level courses with a bunch of gunners LLMs trying to crack biglaw and experienced practitioners seems like a bad idea though.

[CanadianWolf]

What are your law school options ?

[dabigchina]

What are your law school options ?

NYU with 10k a year, Columbia at sticker. Parents are paying so I'm going purely off career prospects.

Also, parents are pushing hard for Columbia because of lay prestige. If tax ranking does not really matter for JD (which it doesn't seem to), I'm probably leaning towards Columbia.

[2014]

What are your law school options ?

NYU with 10k a year, Columbia at sticker. Parents are paying so I'm going purely off career prospects.

Also, parents are pushing hard for Columbia because of lay prestige. If tax ranking does not really matter for JD (which it doesn't seem to), I'm probably leaning towards Columbia.

OCI is done post 1L which is too early to have taken any tax, none of the firms care. Once you get there for your 2L summer it's about working your way into the groups through the summer program since many/most do tax specific offers. You will want to take Income, Corporate, and Partnership Tax but Columbia will offer all of those.

[CanadianWolf]

Great combination of Columbia JD & NYU LLM.

[dabigchina]

What are your law school options ?

NYU with 10k a year, Columbia at sticker. Parents are paying so I'm going purely off career prospects.

Also, parents are pushing hard for Columbia because of lay prestige. If tax ranking does not really matter for JD (which it doesn't seem to), I'm probably leaning towards Columbia.

OCI is done post 1L which is too early to have taken any tax, none of the firms care. Once you get there for your 2L summer it's about working your way into the groups through the summer program since many/most do tax specific offers. You will want to take Income, Corporate, and Partnership Tax but Columbia will offer all of those.

Yeah this is what I'm leaning towards.

Great combination of Columbia JD & NYU LLM.

I'm already kind of old so I don't want to take another year off if I don't have to.

[CanadianWolf]

Most LLM programs offer a part-time option.

[timbs4339]

Go to CLS or NYU and then bid on firms with larger than avg tax practices. If you're lucky and get top 20% grades you'll have your pick of elite firms with only some exceptions. Not sure why you'd even need the LLM, its really for marginal biglaw candidates who are looking for an extra edge or for practitioners who want to learn more about their field.