Legal steps

Rather than signing up for the ubiquitous MBA, give some thought to the world of the law, writes Brutus Lo

While MBA degrees are being offered everywhere, people are beginning to wonder if they want to be "just another MBA". Indeed, according to the most recent data from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, the number of Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) exams taken in the 2002-03 exam period was about 2,500, down over 30 percent from the previous period. This indicates that fewer young professionals are being attracted to pursuing MBAs. While I do not have any figures to support this, I would argue that, based on anecdotal evidence, there is now an increasing interest in a legal education.

In this globally-integrated market environment, every business deal we make involves legal issues, the complexities of which cannot be underestimated. Such issues may incorporate more than just commercial law, also embracing finance, labour, taxation and even environmental legislation.

It is a common misperception that people who study law must become lawyers. In fact, studying and practising law are two independent issues. Those who study the subject or hold law degrees can easily be found in very diverse professions, which may or may not be related to the law.

People from all walks of life attend law schools for reasons such as personal interest or career enhancement. One friend, who runs his family business in energy trading in Hong Kong, is finishing a part-time Master of Law (LLM) programme; another, who is a teacher from the US, is looking into taking a Juris Doctor (JD) programme merely for personal interest. I know an in-flight attendant, who recently finished her JD degree, passed her bar exam and is currently practising law in the US.

Getting a law degree, be it an LLM, a JD or a Bachelor of Law (LLB), does not mean that you must pass the bar examination of the respective jurisdiction. Another friend, who graduated from the University of Hong Kong's LLB programme, decided after a few months' apprenticeship that the legal profession was not really his cup of tea and went on to study environmental management.

So, if you are considering alternatives to MBAs, why not contemplate legal studies? The University of London, as well as other British institutions, offers part-time law degree programmes for people who may not have legal backgrounds. Indeed, in two to four years, you can obtain an LLB or LLM degree.

One notable programme is offered on the Internet by the US-based Concord Law School. All classes and lectures are conducted online. While the degrees offered are not approved by the American Bar Association, Concord is approved by the State of California as a degree-granting institution. For those interested in actually taking the bar examination, Concord graduates are permitted to apply for admission to the California Bar. Some faculty members have gone on to receive their JD from schools such as Harvard, Cornell and Georgetown. Thus, after a minimum of four years' study, you can become a JD without even going overseas!

Are you sick of hearing people telling you about MBAs? See for yourself if a legal education is for you!

Acknowledgement Brutus Lo is the MD of Kaplan Educational Center (HK) Ltd, an affiliate of Kaplan Inc which has helped hundreds of Hong Kong students to further their studies all over the world over the last 12 years. He worked in Silicon Valley and earned his MBA from the Kellogg (Northwestern)-HKUST programme.

Taken from Career Times 2004/01/30