Maria Juliana Escobar
LL.M. with Specialization in International Law and Human Rights
University of California
Hastings College of the Law, 2010
Criminal Attorney, Colombia
Universidad del Rosario, 2007
Since a very early age I was interested on matters related with law, but especially with criminal law. When I enorolled in the University to study law in Colombia, I did it with the expectation of taking the criminal law class and the classes related with it. It was on my third year (out of five years) that I had the opportunity to take my first class of criminal law and confirmed that I was passionate for that area of law.
I started to work in a law firm specialized in criminal law while I was still a student. I think that the firsthand experience I had with the judicial system in Colombia made of my studies a more constructive experience. The fact that I learnt not only from the books and readings but also from the real work have helped me along my career. That is the reason why I always recommend starting to work while you are still a student as it happens in law school in the U.S. where the students are required to do internships after their first year.
I worked in Colombia for over five years before I decided to pursue my master degree. There was a point where I felt I wanted to learn about another legal system since there were several things I did not agree with the Colombian system. I wanted to have the knowledge to propose changes and innovations to our national system. In addition, I wanted to expand my knowledge and experience on human rights, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law, since they were areas I had not explored in dept at that point on my career.
During my LL.M., I enjoyed learning from different cultures and people with other perspectives about the law, the world, politics, etc. I used to engage in discussions with people that I did not have the opportunity to meet in Colombia. I also did not waste any opportunity to also share my knowledge about my country and its legal system. I thought it was important that U.S. and international students saw that there were good things to learn from Colombia.
Since I decided to follow a career beyond the national level, the LL.M. has been an indispensable tool to succeed on it. I have had the opportunity to work in an international environment and I have no doubt the LL.M. degree has been an asset on the selection process of my C.V. as well as, in the development of the assigned tasks. Hence, my advice for those who want to pursue a career in International Law is to study a LL.M. that for sure would help them to have better opportunities in such a competitive environment.
Bibiana Barrera Vega
LL.M. with Business Specialization
University of California
Boalt Law School, Berkeley, 2009
I went to law school in Colombia, where the program lasted 5 years. During the middle of my studies, I decided to go abroad and study English for six months in England. I interrupted my studies because I understood the importance of knowing English.
Going abroad helped me to explore my curiosity about other countries' legal systems and specifically the law of international business. I have always been interested in commercial transactions; I even achieved a master’s in business during my legal studies after returning from the United Kingdom.
After graduating, I worked in Colombia until I I decided to pursue my master of laws (LL.M.) degree in the USA. During my LL.M., I learned not only about the American legal system, but also about the judicial systems of other countries. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to take classes with other international students who often expressed the differences between their home country’s legal system and the American legal system.
I had a great time during my studies and later during my optional practical training after graduation, where I gained practical experience at an immigration law firm. During my work and studies abroad, I not only learned a lot of theoretical law, but I also had the opportunity to put the knowledge I learned to practice. My advice for those who want to pursue an LL.M. is to look at the endeavor not only as a great learning experience that will help you to achieve your professional goals, but also as a great personal experience. Please consider carefully how the LLM will help you achieve your professional goals before you decide to invest money and time on the program.
