why get an mba as a lawyer

by Reagan Erdman 6 min read

  • Advantages. In addition to helping a lawyer understand how a business operates, having an MBA carries some other advantages.
  • Other Considerations. It may be that an MBA is a better credential for the lawyer joining a law firm or establishing a private practice.
  • Earning the MBA. ...
  • Value of the MBA with a JD. ...
  • Alternatives. ...

Advantages. In addition to helping a lawyer understand how a business operates, having an MBA carries some other advantages. For example, a lawyer with an MBA is far better suited to participate in, and make meaningful contributions to, a broader range of strategic planning.

Full Answer

What are the benefits of an MBA for lawyers?

Another benefit, though less tangible, is that the lawyer with an MBA has more credibility in the C-suite. In addition, from the perspective of a lawyer looking for a corporate job, having the MBA also gives access to a much larger alumni network -- an invaluable tool when job-hunting.

Should I get an MBA before becoming a lawyer?

For example, if you sour on the law after a few years, you’ll be well-positioned to go into corporate management. On the other hand, if you decide in the future to join a law firm or go into practice on your own, your MBA, coupled with your corporate experience, can provide a firm foundation for your practice.

Why do we need an MBA?

If you have an MBA, what it does is explain things like cognitive biases: why do we think like that: why do we like certain employee attributes: why do we manage well, or ineffectively, why do we recruit the way we do: what leadership style will work best and for whom?

What is an example of an MBA in business law?

For example, suppose a law firm specializes in corporate law or mergers and acquisitions. When a lawyer on the team holds an MBA, clients know that he is familiar with issues of importance to them. They can all speak the same language, and there is much less of a learning curve.

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Is it worth getting a JD MBA?

These programs are ideal for future lawyers who want to think like a businessman or future executives who want to think like a lawyer with their robust legal knowledge. JD/MBA candidates often receive a higher starting salary and bonus structure than other recent MBA grads.

What is the point of a JD MBA?

Those who hold a JD/MBA in a law firm practice will perform all the usual business of working as a lawyer within a firm, but will have the added bonus of MBA skills and knowledge to supplement their legal skills.

What advantage does an MBA give you?

An MBA can enhance your marketability as a professional and increase the quality and quantity of job opportunities. Over 98% of Wharton MBA graduates are extended full-time job offers. An MBA also helps you build business leadership skills, as well as a professional network.

Which MBA specialization is best after law?

Some of the sectors in which candidates can get jobs easily after completing their law and MBA degrees have been given below.Law Firms.Real Estate.Healthcare.Aviation.Finance.Investment Banking.Retail and Supply Chain Management.Manufacturing.More items...•

Does MBA or JD make more money?

According to The Economist, MBA graduates can more than double their salary and enjoy the lowest debt-to-income ratio of all professional degrees. Salary figures vary by geography, experience, and area of practice, but graduates of JD programs can expect a high earning potential.

Who earns more lawyer or MBA?

Same goes for salary, generally the salary of a law aspirant is around 5 LPA and for MBA candidates it can be around 7 LPA.

What are the disadvantages of MBA?

Advantages and Disadvantages of an MBAAdvantagesDisadvantagesIncreased job opportunitiesCost of studyPersonal and entrepreneurial skill developmentTime commitmentSpecialized in the field of interest with management skillsLack of practical and applied learningHigh salaryRisk of ROI1 more row•Dec 27, 2021

Can I pursue MBA at the age of 30?

Yes, doing an MBA at 30 or even after 40 is a feasible option. It is never too late to continue your MBA after 30 or study anything that you are passionate about at any stage of your life.

Is doing MBA worth in 2020?

An MBA will offer you a wealth of advantages, especially when it's from a well-regarded business school. Getting a high MBA salary after graduation, landing a management position, developing a strong professional network, or even becoming your own boss are just a few of the advantages of studying an MBA degree abroad.

Is MBA good after law?

MBA after LLB is a good option for pursuing higher studies in management, or make a career switch to the field of management. The job options available after MBA include HR Manager, Business Analyst, Marketing Manager, Finance Advisor, Investment Banker, etc.

Can a MBA graduate pursue law?

Yes you can go for LLB after the completion of MBA and the eligibility criteria is that you need to have pass certificate in your degree.

Which is better LLM or MBA?

Career: One must choose LLM if they want to pursue a career in law or MBA if they want to seek a career in administration or management. Students who are interested in management should pursue an MBA, but in other situations, an LLM should be prioritized.

Laying the Groundwork

After graduating from the University of Virginia, I moved to San Francisco, where I worked in customer success at two startups. My roles involved talking to clients, creating customer-training materials, and understanding the technical aspects of the platform for support purposes.

Filling the Knowledge Gap

After my first year of law school, I felt like something was missing from my legal education. Specifically, I noticed a gap in my knowledge around finance, accounting, and corporate strategy.

Through a Different Lens

Both programs look at business issues through a different yet complimentary lens. For example, I have taken the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) course offered at both schools. The GSM M&A course dives into assessing the strategic advantages of an acquisition and ultimately challenged us to propose a future acquisition of two real-world companies.

Building My Career Path (s)

As a law and business school student at UC Davis, I've had the opportunity to learn from both tech entrepreneurs in the Bay Area and larger research and development firms in the greater Northern California region.

You recently completed an MBA. What inspired you to undertake such a big challenge?

I had to find out where I sat with all the skills that I had acquired—whether that was at college or on the job—and I wanted to do it with what I consider the best badge of distinction, which is an MBA. It is a recognised worldwide qualification.

Would you recommend an MBA to a lawyer?

For certain lawyers, I think it [an MBA] would be a key differentiator. I think if you can speak the client’s language, the client is going to trust you a lot quicker. Accountancy and consultancy is all about providing shareholder value.

How would it benefit lawyers?

I don’t think everyone needs to do an MBA as it requires a real time, financial and emotional commitment. But it would be beneficial if you have a commercial role in the firm or intend to move into a corporate environment.

Why do lawyers need an MBA?

An MBA could help to increase the career prospects of a corporate lawyer. In fact, in some companies, having an MBA is a prerequisite for occupying certain top management positions. An MBA may also come in handy for a lawyer considering a mid-career change or taking a horizontal career path either within an organization or industry while leveraging your existing skills. For example, after getting an MBA, a former classmate who is a lawyer rose to become a leader in the venture capital arm of a multinational company.

Why is MBA important?

You may be in a class with top CEOs, other start-up founders, experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds, and different countries. This enables you to experience diverse perspectives and cultures. Also important is the alumni network of these schools. The alumni network of MBA graduates constitutes an essential platform for accessing opportunities. So, if you decide to set up a business after your MBA, members of your class may turn out to be critical business contacts, your co-founders, investors, or even your first customers.

What is MBA in business?

It is a holistic study of business administration covering areas that include finance, statistics, accounting, management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. It is a globally respected professional degree that is offered in business schools worldwide – from the Lagos Business School in Nigeria to the Stanford and Harvard Business Schools in the USA, Cambridge’s Judge, Oxford’s Said, and the London Business School in the UK, INSEAD in France, and many others. Despite historically being a traditional path for finance professionals, other professionals, including engineers and lawyers, are increasingly enrolling for the MBA.

Is it comfortable to make a career decision?

Making significant career decisions is hardly comfortable, more so, when the decision seems unconventional. Over the course of our careers, we encounter points along the journey where we are faced with these significant decisions – whether it is leaving a job, going after a new opportunity, or even switching careers entirely.

Why do lawyers need MBA?

For example, a lawyer with an MBA is far better suited to participate in, and make meaningful contributions to, a broader range of strategic planning.

What is the benefit of having an MBA?

In addition, from the perspective of a lawyer looking for a corporate job, having the MBA also gives access to a much larger alumni network -- an invaluable tool when job-hunting.

Is an MBA higher than a JD?

Starting salaries for lawyers with an MBA are not appreciably higher than those with just the JD.

Can a corporation look at an MBA applicant with a JD?

There’s no evidence suggesting that a corporation will look less favorably on an applicant who has both a JD and an MBA. There is, however, anecdotal evidence that many corporate employers won’t attach much importance to the second degree, either in terms of job offers or starting salary. Starting salaries for lawyers with an MBA are not appreciably higher than those with just the JD.

Is an MBA good for a corporation?

The intuitive answer is yes – the MBA, by giving the candidate a better understanding of how business operates, should make her more attractive to the corporation. In many cases, though, corporations hiring counsel are more concerned with the applicant’s legal skills and will focus instead on the candidate’s law school accomplishments.

Do business schools require time and money?

All will require a significant investment of time and money. In addition, competition for the better business schools is strong, and their admissions committees are said to be reluctant to admit students who appear to be more interested in earning another degree than in committing themselves to that discipline.

Is B school as important as law school?

Practicing attorneys must also keep in mind that B-school grades are as important as law school grades to prospective employers. A too-ambitious course load might have an adverse effect on grades. Students who have not yet started on their law degrees can explore the dual JD/MBA programs offered by many schools.

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