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Joint JD/MBA Programs As more top law schools offer joint JD/MBA degrees that take essentially the same amount of time to earn as a regular JD, what are the advantages and disadvantages of going after the two degree option?
Question
responsible for many of the day-to-day busi-
The law school that I am thinking of attend-
ness decisions associated with the running
ing the curriculum, the amount of legal
ing offers a joint JD/MBA program that I
of the law firm. Even if you do not choose
education will be on par with that of any
could theoretically finish in the same time
to remain with a law firm, you may one day
other student who is just focusing on the law.
it would take me to get my JD. Should I take
open your own practice. The training an MBA
Additionally, any extra knowledge that you
this opportunity? How would this increase my
provides will help you navigate the waters
can bring to the table, even if it is not directly
chances of getting a law firm job, since this
in terms of running your own law firm. Your
applicable, is going to make you a more at-
is what I am sure I want to do?
own law firm, incidentally, would be a small
tractive candidate.
heavily favor the JD degree when construct-
business. Answer
Fifth, if you eventually decide that practicing
Adding an MBA to your list of academic
A second aspect to consider in getting an
law is not for you, having an MBA is prob-
accomplishments can only benefit you in
MBA is how it could teach you to think in
ably the only other degree that instantly
the long run, no matter what you eventually
a different way. MBAs are known as “bean
grants you access to the kind of high-paying
choose to do with your life or legal career.
counters” for a reason. As a general rule,
professional jobs that lawyers enjoy. Make
Since you seem to have decided that joining
MBAs tend to be very risk averse and good at
no mistake about it: numerous attorneys
a law firm is what you want to do in the near
pointing out the risks inherent in any busi-
leave the practice of law each year. You may
future, there are several benefits to having
ness situation. In fact, many entrepreneurs
be dead-set on being an attorney right now,
an MBA when entering law firm life.
that have hired MBAs report that they are
but things change and many people who go
continually told by MBAs to simply shut down
into the law eventually come to rethink their
First, given the type of training that occurs,
their businesses! This type of risk averse be-
decision. An MBA is a great thing to be able
in our opinion it would be quite wise if an
havior is exactly what most lawyers do with
to fall back on.
MBA were an actual requirement for getting
clients on a daily basis. While we are, in fact,
a law degree. This is due to the fact that
having some fun with the above statements,
The only con - and it potentially is a big one -
the practice of law is so closely related to
the generalities they express are on point
is that some law firms may interpret getting
business and few attorneys appear to realize
and some of the better attorneys we have
these two degrees, which really represent
this. In fact, attorneys traditionally are known
known have been MBAs.
two diverse career paths, as indecision in what you want out of your future. If a firm
in the business community as some of the worst businessmen. Being an attorney has
Third, you may consider getting an MBA if
thinks that you are applying to them simply
numerous components that involve busi-
you are interested in corporate work. Beyond
to get a feel for what working in a law firm is
ness such as marketing, the value of your
the practical training and the training in the
like before you make the jump to corporate
time, hiring and firing, renting office space,
“MBA thought process”, an MBA will also
life, they may be less willing to hire you.
managing payroll and numerous cost-benefit
teach you a great deal about the inner work-
If there is one thing that law firms value,
type calculations. While traditionally law was
ings of the financial system and about many
perhaps above all else, it is a singleness of
portrayed as something that was not a busi-
of the types of companies you are likely to do
purpose when it comes to careers and what
ness, you should make no mistake about one
work for as a corporate attorney.
attorneys are willing to give back to the firm. With that said, there are many firms who
central fact: The law is a business. Fourth, even if you decide not to do corpo-
are not nearly as concerned with this, but
If you start your career in a law firm position,
rate work, an MBA is not a liability. Since the
the stodgier, more traditional firms may not
you may one day become a partner and be
majority of law schools with joint programs
understand your motivations.
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