In working on behalf of clients considering a graduate program in law (or an adjacent field), my focus is to help them:

 

• Determine whether a graduate program or other advanced credential is the right choice for them. This may include not just LLM (or similar law) programs, but also business, technology, or other programs.

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• Evaluate and develop career options.

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• Develop their skills and credentials to become the best possible candidate and most employable graduate.

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• Create the appropriate marketing strategy and story for whichever programs are chosen.

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• Write high-impact personal statements and other essays.

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• Assemble a highly readable, targeted resume or CV.

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• Select and brief their recommenders.

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• Develop a financing strategy appropriate to their circumstances.

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• Prepare for their program and maximize the career value of their efforts.

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Of course, not all clients need all or even many of these services. My work is customized to what my clients want and need; there is no one-size-fits-all approach involved.

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Timing

Many of my clients come to me while still in their first-degree program (LLB or law conversion). They may already recognize that they would benefit from additional education—or they may fear they will be unable to secure a suitable legal job upon completion of their initial degree. ​​
 

Typical Concerns of Clients Still at University

General issues:

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• Should I work before doing an advanced degree? How much work experience would be appropriate?

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• What if I cannot get a good job immediately? In this case, would it be appropriate to do an advanced degree immediately? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so at this point in my career?

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• How can I future-proof my legal career?

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• How specialized should my early career be?

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• What sort of initial job should I aim for? 

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• If I am uncertain about pursuing a career in law, what should my next steps be?

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• Is an LLM the right choice for me? Would I be better served pursuing a degree in an adjacent field, such as business or technology? 

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• Where should I look for the most appropriate programs? (E.g., in which region or country?)

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• Could I qualify to practice in a different country? How best could I do so? 

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Admissions issues:

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• What are the top schools and programs, given my interests?

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• What are the top schools looking for? What are my chances of getting into a top program?

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• Can I still get into a top school despite my relatively mediocre grades?

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• Is my TOEFL/IELTS score sufficient? Should I retake the exam? If so, what sort of preparation should I undertake?

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• What can I do during my first degree to help me get into a great graduate program? 

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• How much admissions value is there in working before applying?

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Financing issues:

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• What financing options should I pursue?

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• Given my career goals, how much debt should I be willing to take on?

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• Should I “trade down”—i.e., attend a lesser program because it will be less expensive than an elite program would be?​

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Post-Admissions issues:

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• How can I best prepare for a graduate program?

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• How can I get the most out of my chosen program?

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• What do I need to know about getting a great legal job—whether in a large or small law firm, government department or agency, operating company, or something else?

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Concerns of Clients Who Have Already Started Their Careers

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Other clients come to me having already started their careers or, in some cases, being well-established in a career. Their concerns tend to be similar to those of students still at university, albeit with some potential differences. These include:​

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• Preferring a part-time program, whether because they wish to continue working and earning, or because their employer will pay for their program as long as they do so.

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• Knowing precisely which program(s) will best suit them. Some clients have a good understanding of what education will be most appropriate for landing a promotion or new role.

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• Exploring a substantial career change. This may involve leaving law entirely, seeking a law-adjacent role, or changing employer, such as moving from a law firm to an in-house role (i.e., one in an operating company rather than a law firm).

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