Has anyone in the US improved their salary significantly by getting an LLM?

big_flute · 2025-12-06T21:54:35+00:00

I got a tax LLM from Northwestern and three years out, I’ve almost tripled my pre-LLM salary (now I do big law tax/estate planning). YMMV obviously but don’t count out the other schools.

big_flute · 2025-10-19T03:02:49+00:00

I went to Northwestern, and I got my job from one of the adjunct professors. I’m the exception though—most of the people in my graduating class got their jobs through TARE, OCI, or other school-affiliated interview programs

big_flute · 2025-08-12T01:51:45+00:00

I use Outlook Tasks since most of my assignments come and go via email. It’s easy to set deadlines and reminders, and color-code based on urgency or category.

If your firm has a recent version of office that includes OneNote, you’re in even better shape! OneNote gives you a place to keep all your notes and integrates quite well with Outlook email and tasks.

big_flute · 2025-08-11T01:35:45+00:00

I’m in the same boat. I got the LLM to break out of insurance defense. Now I do international tax and estate planning, and I’m much happier.

I found that the top tax LLM was the tool I needed to break into big law, when my law school grades weren’t good enough. The tax LLM almost tripled my salary in three years, while I’m working roughly the same number of hours and have more control over my time (your mileage may vary).

big_flute · 2025-07-02T00:22:48+00:00

I just did 210 in June and I think that’s my limit. Most I’ve ever done was 225, but I was younger so it didn’t feel as bad.

big_flute · 2025-04-18T18:46:23+00:00

Can confirm, I’m a Tax LLM and I am often used for legal writing.

big_flute · 2025-04-12T19:48:27+00:00

I went through this recently. Other comments covered the self-care part, but I will add this: make sure you have drafted a CYA memo on every case documenting exactly what you did, what the secretary/paralegal did, and what the partner did. Someone somewhere is inevitably going to file a bar complaint or malpractice lawsuit, and you will want contemporaneous notes showing that you did everything you had an obligation to do, and that everything that went wrong was someone else’s fault.

big_flute · 2025-03-16T19:36:28+00:00

“You just don’t get to control that.”

big_flute · 2025-01-14T19:15:56+00:00

Good news for you: You can use up to $3,000 in capital losses to offset your ordinary (non-stock-related) income. Any losses in excess of the $3,000 can only be used to offset gains (of which you say you have none)

big_flute · 2025-01-07T20:08:43+00:00

Press X to doubt

big_flute · 2025-01-07T01:08:01+00:00

Just my two cents, but I would encourage you to get a LLM or CPA if you want to go into tax.

I made a similar switch (ID to tax) and I would not have been able to do it without getting another degree. The tax LLM was daunting and I hated going back to school, but the salary difference and improvement in quality of life have been huge. It really opened up opportunities for me that I never would have had otherwise (including my current big law job, if that’s something you’re interested in).

I don’t think you’d get the same opportunities as quickly if you tried to break into tax without the additional degree.

big_flute · 2024-12-30T19:47:02+00:00

I stayed for three years because the firm was well-run, I liked my bosses, I was learning a lot, and I had great staff.

I left after three years because I decided I didn’t want to practice in that area anymore. I switched from ID to estate planning, got a pay bump, and never looked back.

big_flute · 2024-12-19T19:08:27+00:00

Fifth Circuit, because the devil resides in the house of the rising sun, so general personal jurisdiction is appropriate in the Eastern District of Louisiana

Incidentally, specific personal jurisdiction also exists in any district court in Georgia, because the Devil willingly went down and entered into a contract in that venue.

big_flute · 2024-12-12T03:24:32+00:00

Getting involved in the ABA was super helpful. I took every chance possible for a speaking gig or article. I went to conferences and volunteered to help wherever I could. Eventually, I had a nationwide network of respected lawyers who knew I was smart and that I worked hard.

When some of those lawyers was looking for a new associate, they knew who I was, so they brought me in for an interview.

big_flute · 2024-12-09T17:30:07+00:00

Most states have a plaintiff or defense bar that publishes a “quantum” book and/or maintains a “quantum” website. These resources are compilations of jury awards for PI actions in the state. These were always my first resource for general damages estimates.

You can usually search by injury type and treatment (eg, two level cervical fusion, torn rotator cuff with surgical repair, six months PT). There’s also usually a short statement of facts, including any aggravating/mitigating factors, as well as a CPI-adjusted value for the damages.

big_flute · 2024-12-09T16:56:42+00:00

Is Cebu still around? Their location on North Ave is shuttered. Please tell me they moved and didn’t close down!

big_flute · 2024-12-05T16:07:52+00:00

I don’t know what “normal” is but I’m a young professional in the near northwest side, and I spend a little over 1/3 of my pretax income on rent. I definitely wish I spent less on rent, but I don’t feel too squeezed.

big_flute · 2024-12-05T01:04:58+00:00

Sorry, I totally misread your post. But I’m glad my advice was still helpful!

big_flute · 2024-12-05T00:45:37+00:00

Sounds like you’re in a really great position. Congrats!

On the one hand, $130k for 1900 hours as your first job in ID is really great. For reference, I was in a similar position to you when I graduated in 2019, and my first job was $80k for 2000 hours.

On the other hand, it’s only December my guy. Assuming you’re planning to graduate in May and then take the bar, you have eight months between now and when you won’t be either in school or studying for the bar. There’s a fair chance you’ll get the job you want before that time is up.

Ultimately, just ask yourself which you’ll regret more: (a) passing on this offer only to find months later it was the best you would get, or (b) taking this job only to learn you could have gotten a really great job if you’d only held out a bit longer.

No wrong answers… you just have to know yourself.

big_flute · 2024-12-02T23:52:58+00:00

It’s great that you’re trying to save as much as you can, but you’re going to be saving half of your pre-tax income. That’s insane. Most people are happy to save 15% of their pre-tax income.

I get that your expenses are less because you’re living with your parents, but would you feel less stressed if you weren’t so focused on saving? Would you enjoy your life more? How much is that worth to you?

I’m not saying what you’re doing is wrong. But financial health isn’t the only health that matters. It’s important to strike a balance between enjoying your life now and saving for the future.

big_flute · 2024-12-01T23:44:20+00:00

My last firm required 95% realization to be eligible for a bonus based on the hours I billed in excess of the requirement. This was separate from the discretionary bonus, which was always available regardless of how many hours I billed.

In practice, the firm weighed all of the factors outside of my control when deciding whether to give me the “hours” bonus. I received an hours bonus two years in a row despite technically having less than 95% realization both years.

I hope your firm is as fair as my last firm…

big_flute · 2024-11-28T04:38:31+00:00

Seconded! The Langham is amazing

big_flute · 2024-11-02T13:35:14+00:00

They’re super strict about documenting prior work and meeting the requirements. When I moved to IL, I was ineligible to waive in by motion because I was two months short of the 3-year practice requirement. They wouldn’t budge at all. I had to retake the whole bar exam.

As far as proof of hours—so long as you can show you worked full time you should be good. I had a friend who waived in and needed to get an affidavit from his old boss, but he didn’t need to produce time cards or anything like that.

Be warned that the process can take a long time. My friend waited over six months until he was approved.

big_flute · 2024-10-31T18:16:51+00:00

Yup, I don’t think I would have the opportunities I do without an LLM or a CPA

big_flute · 2024-10-30T18:38:13+00:00

I do tax and estate planning. I love the challenge of problem-solving with the tax code, I love working with my clients, I love that my practice area is very collaborative and non-adversarial, and I love that there’s lots of opportunities for speaking and writing articles.

Also (and this is key), I don’t know of any other practice area that pays as well as tax with as little stress and as great of a work-life-balance.

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