Earlier this week, we passed along a report on the growing popularity of the LL.M. degree, as many prospective litigators are pursuing it to distinguish themselves within a competitive and exceedingly global legal market.
Another view now surfacing holds that two degrees, focused on different international jurisdictions, is an option as a differentiating path.
As part of a New York Times’ special report on international education, a recent article examined such double degrees.
“As the world becomes a more interconnected place, it is inevitable that the legal consequences of this will impact upon legal education,” said an anonymous Cambridge University law professor.
The article points to international partnerships between law school programs, such as New York University School of Law’s link to the National University of Singapore, as evidence of this shift in degree aspirations.
However, the report also cites the belief that a double degree is unnecessary, given the international research opportunities and exchange programs offered by many of today’s leading law programs within a single degree.
While views are thus mixed on the true value of double degrees, the article does quote a law firm partner who admits that, for some practices, such “global fluency” is an “x-factor” to consider when hiring.
