[Editor’s Note: In the Fall issue of National Jurist magazine, six current or recent LL.M. students told us how they furthered their education and improved their career prospects, both in the U.S. and abroad. You can read their stories here. Throughout the year, we want to feature the stories of more students and graduates.]
Anna-Lena Schoofs
Germany
Suffolk University Law School
I am currently pursuing a Master of Law in Global Law and Technology at Suffolk University Law School in Boston. The decision where to pursue an LL.M. in American law and intellectual property law was easy for me. In 2016, I studied at Suffolk University as an exchange student and felt strongly that Suffolk would be the ideal place for me to further my education after graduating in Germany.
At Suffolk University, I have the opportunity to gain practical, specialized legal knowledge in the field of law in which I would like to practice. It is my ambition to better understand and explore the growing field of intellectual property law and technology, in particular the emerging issues of artificial intelligence in an international context. Suffolk University offers a variety of courses on these issues. With the LL.M. program in Global Law and Technology, I am able to address the legal challenges of today’s technology, while at the same time developing solutions for legal problems and protecting fundamental values.
After finishing an American LL.M. in Global Law and Technology, I would like to take the bar exam to be a qualified lawyer in the United States.
To further advance my research in intellectual property law, one of my goals is to publish articles and participate in research projects. Since research in the U.S. is far ahead of research in Germany, I would like to pursue this aim in the U.S.
With my background as a law student in both Germany and the United States, I would like to support the cooperation between the U.S. and Germany. After completing research and gaining valuable real-world experience, my goal is to join an international law firm.
Throughout and after my studies in Germany, I have gained operational insights into big law firms and this experience clarified what the work routine looks like at these firms. It also showed me that many opportunities can arise. Therefore, I am eager to study hard, build up my knowledge with post-graduate research, and then be able to work as an expert in an international law firm. I could also see myself working for the European Union Intellectual Property Office or at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Ultimately, I aim to become an international expert in intellectual property law and to work in an environment where I can apply my skillset.
