Hey all — would really appreciate some honest input.
I’m 26, currently a practicing lawyer in Asia. I already have LLB and will finish my LLM by the end of this year. Long story short, I’m seriously considering trying to practice in the U.S.
From what I understand, if I want a real shot at BigLaw and long-term mobility in the U.S., a JD (ideally from a T6) seems like the most straightforward path. But given that I already have a law degree and will soon have a master’s, I’m trying to figure out whether doing another full JD actually makes sense versus something like an additional LLM or even a PhD.
For context: I’m thinking long-term (not just short-term academic interest), and I’m aware of the financial commitment and visa realities. I’m trying to evaluate this from an ROI + career access standpoint, not just prestige.
Would really appreciate any perspectives from international students, especially those who already had foreign law degrees before doing a JD.
Thanks in advance.