“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything.” GB Shaw
It is an established fact concerning human nature that one who desires and dreams big, doesn’t wait for an opportunity to knock at its door but makes arrangements to ensure that opportunity does knock. This is true also for those who seek to enhance their scope of expertise and knowledge, especially within the country or worldwide, in the field of law and understand the nuances which can be subsequently put into practice by them for the benefit of Justice.
Law Graduates now have options available to practice within the country or abroad. Hence, those who wants to pursue a legal career overseas; for them a LLM degree from any foreign universities would prove beneficial. How? For this we need to reason it out threadbare. Critical points emerge from my research, which I believe would be reason enough for clarifying any rudimentary doubts that lingers in the mind of young graduates.
1. The LLM course is designed in such a way that it gives you the freedom to choose the desired course of action wrt the areas where you intend focusing and gaining expertise. One can decide on the courses he/she wants to enhance his specialization or choose a general line of direction to enhance his knowledge.
2. The benefit of studying abroad would not only be restricted to gaining knowledge, but also paving the way in enhancing one’s connectivity skills through colleagues, professors, institutes, law firms etc. This will not only enhance your social credo, but also benefit you professionally in terms of getting assistance while dealing with any legal cases or issues that may crop up in future. This networking would obviously elevate one’s stature in the organisation he / she is working with as well as in individual capacity.
3. The LLM Course would not be restricted to theoretical knowledge but the close insight one would have in the practical skills would be the key charm. The course allows you to attend Law Clinics which provide fieldwork as well as theoretical component, putting students into situations where they are required to resolve cases of their clients in real time. There are, so called externship programs wherein interns would be able to work in Courts, or law firms, or a NGO, getting credits in their semesters alongside. This will provide an on the job training that will allow you to clear any bar exams in your country as well as abroad.
4. Any course abroad is a unique opportunity itself wherein you not only gain knowledge but discover new culture, their customs, ethos and demography. The insight into the society’s laws paves way for bringing a paradigm shift into own legal procedures post weighing the pros and cons of the ibid societal laws. One will be open to suggestions and change and not be restricted by rudimentary ideas which are no longer relevant in the society and need to be shown the doors. One needs to broaden their horizon of knowledge.
5. Today, with international relationship, including trades gaining importance; Good law firms or even Courts and NGOs are looking forward to law graduates who have some knowledge on international laws and can benefit them in some way or the other. LLM from abroad would definitely add a feather to the cap which would sparkle in their CV attracting the wasp’s i.e the Law Firms etc.
About author –
This blog has been written by Adv. Pooja Kohli, BA, LLB, LLM, PGDFM, MBA(HR), Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh