u/Impossible-Project46

I'm currently pursuing my bachelor's at a U.S. university, and I am pretty sure that I want to move abroad permanently and become an EU citizen. However, I would also like to become a practicing lawyer in order to work in international human rights law cases, maybe with the ICC, ECHR, etc., or with NGOs that are providing support to victims of international human rights crises. Really want to have an impactful career that isn't just performative diplomacy too, and I am open to traveling to other places for short periods of time, but do want to have my home base in the EU.

After doing some research, I was considering obtaining a U.S. JD and then finding ways to become certified in an EU country (I am especially interested in living in France). However, this is a pretty long and expensive path (3 years JD, 2 years M1/M2, then 2 years before fully becoming a practicing lawyer in France). Because of this, I have been considering applying straight to an M1/M2 program in France following graduation to become certified in practicing law in an EU country much faster. However, I am slightly concerned that this path might not be the most efficient or realistic. Additionally, though I am pretty certain I want to live abroad permanently, a small part of me is worried about the lack of optionality pursuing an M1/M2 would provide me if I wanted to work in the U.S.

For additional consideration, by the time I am applying to legal programs, I will also have completed a +1 MPP program from the same U.S. university. I am also aware that U.S. universities offer 1-year LLMs for foreign lawyers that would like to qualify and practice law back in the U.S., and was thinking that might be a safe backup down the line to return to the U.S. if I decide that's for me. I was also considering the JD/M1 programs offered by Columbia Law and Cornell Law, but these are really expensive and I am not sure if they are worth it in my case if I am pretty sure I want to move to the EU, especially due to the EU being the hub for human rights careers working on international crises. As much as I enjoy school, I really only want to continue pursuing degrees that will be applicable to my career, which is why I worry that a J.D. would be an unnecessary investment. Would appreciate any insight/recommendations on what I should do, and any advice overall!

I'm currently pursuing my bachelor's at a U.S. university, and I am pretty sure that I want to move abroad permanently and become an EU citizen. However, I would also like to become a practicing lawyer in order to work in international human rights law cases, maybe with the ICC, ECHR, etc., or with NGOs that are providing support to victims of international human rights crises. Really want to have an impactful career that isn't just performative diplomacy too, and I am open to traveling to other places for short periods of time, but do want to have my home base in the EU.

After doing some research, I was considering obtaining a U.S. JD and then finding ways to become certified in an EU country (I am especially interested in living in France). However, this is a pretty long and expensive path (3 years JD, 2 years M1/M2, then 2 years before fully becoming a practicing lawyer in France). Because of this, I have been considering applying straight to an M1/M2 program in France following graduation to become certified in practicing law in an EU country much faster. However, I am slightly concerned that this path might not be the most efficient or realistic. Additionally, though I am pretty certain I want to live abroad permanently, a small part of me is worried about the lack of optionality pursuing an M1/M2 would provide me if I wanted to work in the U.S.

For additional consideration, by the time I am applying to legal programs, I will also have completed a +1 MPP program from the same U.S. university. I am also aware that U.S. universities offer 1-year LLMs for foreign lawyers that would like to qualify and practice law back in the U.S., and was thinking that might be a safe backup down the line to return to the U.S. if I decide that's for me. I was also considering the JD/M1 programs offered by Columbia Law and Cornell Law, but these are really expensive and I am not sure if they are worth it in my case if I am pretty sure I want to move to the EU, especially due to the EU being the hub for human rights careers working on international crises. As much as I enjoy school, I really only want to continue pursuing degrees that will be applicable to my career, which is why I worry that a J.D. would be an unnecessary investment. Would appreciate any insight/recommendations on what I should do, and any advice overall!