In the latest issue of the National Jurist, Karen DaPonte Thornton, Director of the Government Procurement Law Program, spoke about the value of earning an LLM degree, especially during a time when practice areas are becoming more complex and are rapidly evolving.
For students who are thinking about their careers and who are in the process of looking for work that is meaningful, it can be difficult to find the perfect job that is challenging, engaging, and cutting-edge. According to the magazine, many law students "who seek careers in more complex or evolving areas need something more." The magazine added that for those interested in the areas of national security law, space law, cybersecurity, and tax, "It's hard to land a job in such complex practice areas when you can't demonstrate the baseline knowledge," which is why Ms. Thornton champions the value of an LLM degree. She explained that specialized degrees help lawyers develop a level of professional stature that is rarely achieved without years of professional experience.
"Students seek an LLM out of intellectual curiosity, a desire to advance their careers or to make the switch from one sector to another," Ms. Thornton said. "They succeed in the job market because they are able to join the conversation as equals when faculty introduce them to employers at conferences and networking evets."
The magazine also emphasized that an LLM can be a "powerful career accelerator" for lawyers.
To learn more about earning an LLM degree at GW Law, visit this page, and for more about the Government Procurement Law Program, visit this page.