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I'm currently deciding between Berkeley and NYU. Both are offering similar levels of money, so that is not a factor.

I really want to practice international arbitration or trade law (as of now). I believe I would like living in California better, but I do not think I would have a problem living in NYC at least for the beginning of my career. However, if I knew that I could find the international law jobs I want in California, I would immediately pick Berkeley (b/c of location). Though, it is my understanding that NYC blows California out of the water in terms of international law job opportunities. Is this true or not/does California offer significantly less international law job opportunities? (Also, are there any in SF or just LA?)

Any insight into this would be very helpful. Thanks!

Did you get into / apply to UVA? If so, I think it would be better than Boalt/NYU given that UVA has a joint master's program with Sciences Po (I am currently in it so PM me if you'd like). At Sciences Po, basically the entire curriculum is about arbitration (ICSID,CISG,Trade). Most of my JD/MA classmates have jobs at arbitration-heavy firms like Cleary and Shearman. If you're willing to forego Biglaw entirely, Sciences Po has the network to get you in a European arbitration shop (the program makes you eligible for the French bar). Columbia, Penn, NU, and G-Town also offer this program.

Thank you for the response and yes I did, but the Science Po program requires French fluency which I do not have. For multiple reasons I am solely considering NYU and Berkeley at this point.

There aren't many "international arbitration/trade law" jobs in either place. If that's why you're going to law school and you don't have the connections, don't bother going. The only people I know with jobs remotely like this (aka they work at the UN or whatever) already had connections going in - like their parents are ambassadors for a country.

Sorry for not being clear. I am not expecting to actually work overseas. Rather, I am trying to do work out of the US with foreign clients. This could take the form of litigation in U.S. courts, arbitration in a U.S. city, or contracts. I know these jobs exist.

I have little experience with international law but three things: (1) I think you're probably right that there are more international arbitration jobs in NYC, and NYU is a better school if you want to end up in NYC; (2) USNWR subject rankings get a bad rap but IME they're accurate when comparing peer schools, and NYU (#1) is markedly better than Berkeley (#9) in International Law rank; and (3) unless you get better responses here I would highly, highly recommend contacting both schools and having them put you in touch with someone (especially a professor or alumnus) who can speak to your interests. Both schools will be happy to do this.

collier94 wrote:Sorry for not being clear. I am not expecting to actually work overseas. Rather, I am trying to do work out of the US with foreign clients. This could take the form of litigation in U.S. courts, arbitration in a U.S. city, or contracts. I know these jobs exist.

All big firms for the most part have "foreign clients." What exactly are you looking for? There are pretty much no pure arbitration jobs, fwiw. You may be thinking of doing litigation, but that's not nearly as glamorous or as interesting as you may think at a large firm.

Both schools have very reputable programs in international law.

NYU does better with placement into elite firms in New York which handle this type of work at a much greater volume. So I think NYU is the clear answer in that respect even if its not what you are looking for.

Re: tfalawl's point about the program, "fluency" is an exaggeration.. Some level of competency, sure. I wouldn't rule out studying abroad in western europe for an arbitration or trade career since its basically what they do (that and competition/antitrust).

Former IA attorney here. Go to NYU. There are many NYU grads (I was one) who practice at the big firms that do IA (Debevoise, White & Case, Freshfields, Cleary, Hughes Hubbard, etc.), and all those firms are mainly NY firms.

Berkeley is great and has Prof. David Caron, but there are few if any IA jobs in SF or LA to speak of. I know one attorney, like just one -- a former Debevoise lawyer -- who moved to OMM in LA and does IA.

All of the US-based IA jobs are in NY or DC. Now, getting to one of those firms does not guarantee you do IA. Even within the firms, you have to jockey for that work. Part of it is that IA is not a huge money maker compared to other litigation practices. Many people I know wanted to do IA but never did at Debevoise.

I have no idea what the poster above is talking about with ambassadors, etc.

PM me if you want to talk more.