| Topic Name: |
JD/MBA with a Twist |
| Message Name: |
Big 5 to BIGLAW |
| Date Posted: |
01/10/2002 |
| Message: |
This seems to be a good board to post my cry for help.
I have my JD (second tier law school) and MBA (in public accounting) from the same school (their MBA program is ranked higher than the law school) and I am also a CPA. I have been working in the tax department of a Big 5 accounting firm (compliance, research and writing) for the past 5 years and am currently a tax manager. However, I am thinking of a possible switch to doing tax work for a big law firm (I just can't live on a Big 5 salary anymore, at least the big law firms pay commensurate with their prestige).
How would the tax departments at the top firms view these qualifications? Do I need a tax LLM as well (when I decided to get a second grad degree, the MBA/CPA route made the most sense at the time for me). If the firms see me as a viable commodity, would I be hired as a first year associate or would I be considered a lateral hire and get at least a few years of experience credit? Would it be held against me that I have not been working as a "lawyer", even though I have done much of the same type of work?
If the LLM is necessary/desirable, would these law firms pay for me to get a tax LLM? (my loans are bad enough as it is, although I cannot possibly see anyone doing it part-time with the hour requirements of a Cravath or Skadden even if it was on their tab). A real real crazy thought. Would a firm hire someone, send them to NYU full-time for a tax LLM (which one could complete in 8-9 months), with a written promise to give that firm at least three years upon graduation in return. And pay me a nice stipend during that time (just my current salary where I am now ($70K) or slightly more, I don't need or expect to get $150,000 on top of a $32,000 LLM program and not be giving them any billables during that time).
I am also thinking of exploring the in house tax departments of Fortune 500 companies, although that option might not be so attractive in the current economic climate.
I know thats a-lot of questions, but I would appreciate anyone who has some knowledge of this to give me some practical feedback. If I can be hired easily w/o the LLM, I can do without it. Unfortunately at this point of my life, I do not have the time or luxury to invest another 3 or 4 years to get the LLM part time while making ,in comparison to a first year BIGLAW associate, intern money at my current position.
I hope this post at least generates a good discussion.
Thanks. Lets go Yankees!!!!!
|
|
