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April 18, 2007
Should You Get a Tax LL.M. Right After Law School?
As regular readers of this blog know, I am the Series Editor of the Graduate Tax Series of books published by LexisNexis for use in tax LL.M. programs. The New York Lawyer has some interesting advice on whether students should get a tax LL.M. right after law school or should wait until they have practiced for at least a year or two:
Q: I plan to specialize in the area of tax and I would like some guidance on whether I should pursue obtaining an LLM in Tax right after graduating from law school or whether I should work for few years before heading back to school.
A: Attorneys tack on a Tax LL.M at various times in their career. There are advantages and disadvantages to pursuing the degree right after graduating from law school. The same is true if you wait for a few years. The timing depends on your particular circumstances. ...
April 18, 2007 in Law School | Permalink
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Comments
An alum of the Graduate Tax Program at Boston University, as well as of Virginia Tech, I am an exceedingly proud one of few "Tech attorneys" (as Tech does not have a law school). It has been difficult to watch the national media (and the international news) talk about a place they do not know and cannot understand. It has been redeeming to watch the young scholars of my second home quash them all, without intention to do so, with their simple and pure strength and goodness that define the pervading atmosphere of Blacksburg. As we all cannot help to ask repeatedly the quintessential "why Virginia Tech", the answer I have found is, "perhaps it is the only place that could handle it and rise above". Our hearts to all of the Hokie Nation.
Posted by: Cindy | Apr 18, 2007 8:52:20 AM
I just do not feel you can seriously practice tax law without the LL.M. anymore. In my view, the LL.M. replaces the year (or more) of training that a law firm would have to give you, and also helps you decide whether tax law is right for you.
Posted by: J | Apr 18, 2007 9:54:30 AM
I would suggest doing it fairly promptly after law school, even if that means doing it at night. I have never regretted getting my LLM. It makes the new lawyer far more effective.
Posted by: The NJ Annuitant | Apr 18, 2007 10:12:46 AM
Going at night after a year or two of practice helps. I started at night right after law school. Now, with more experience under my belt, I'm finding I get much more out of class than when I first started the program.
Posted by: P | Apr 18, 2007 11:54:26 AM
While J may be right about many or even most tax lawyers needing an LLM, there is always an exception to the rule. I was a business major as an undergraduate, practiced as a CPA doing tax work for five years before attending law school, and took several tax courses in law school. I might have enjoyed some LLM courses, but I did not need an LLM to be a serious practicing tax lawyer. Based on that experience, however, I second P's suggestion that a year or two of practice would make LLM classes more meaningful. After five years of tax practice, I got a lot more out of my law school tax courses than most of my classmates.
Posted by: H | Apr 18, 2007 4:02:21 PM
Ideally, get an undergraduate business degree. At the right school, one can take some pretty good undergrad tax courses.
Next, take and pass the CPA Exam.
Next, practice as a CPA for at least 2-3 years. Prepare lots of tax returns and deal with lots of real people.
Next, if possible and if one is so lucky, transition into an "industry" tax job for another 2-3 years.
Finally, go to law school and get a JD.
That's enough to be a proficient tax lawyer, at least if one pays attention along the way.
None of this is to suggest that an LLM Tax does not have its place, but, by and large, this particular credential is vastly overrated. Arguably this is more due to the way that law schools market the LLM Tax, than any systematic deficiency associated with those persons who seek the degree.
All that said, I'd much sooner litigate a tax case against an LLM than against someone who earned a CPA license.
Posted by: Jake | Apr 18, 2007 10:31:03 PM
I am thinking about continuing my legal education by enrolling in Temple University's LLM program. However, I don't have an overriding desire to take the bar exam again (I unfortunately failed). Do you think it is possible to get the LLM in Taxation and work without taking the bar exam again.
Thanks
Posted by: westernjustice | Aug 15, 2007 10:06:28 AM
