Rodrigo Carè has graduated with a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He is working as a Senior Associate (International Arbitration & DIFC Litigation) at Horizons & Co Law Firm, Dubai.
- What made you choose Georgetown University Law Center for your LL.M. degree?
Its location in DC, where the ICSID and many arbitration specialists are based, and the high profile of its international law faculty and adjuncts. - What are some of the lessons that you learned during your time at Georgetown Law?
Don’t give up. - What tips do you have for foreign students/lawyers who are taking the New York Bar Exam?
Focus on the MBE. In general, don’t neglect this exam because it is highly regarded by employers. Try to clear it as soon as you complete your LLM, as it will be difficult to do that after you start working. - What do law firms based in Dubai/Paris/London look for when hiring a foreign attorney? Do you have any special interview tips?
Some interviewers are very good and will read your CV attentively. Make sure you are prepared to defend any statement made on your CV and expand on any experience that you mention. It will also help to do some due diligence on what sort of work they do and whether they have been involved in any cases in public domain. They will appreciate if you show interest in their work. - Getting the first opportunity in the international arbitration field can be tough. What advice do you have for young law students who are looking forward to making a career in international arbitration?
With persistence and focus, opportunities will arrive. If you want to focus on international arbitration, stick around the major centers and continue getting experience there. Many LLM graduates return to their home country, hoping to find a position in arbitration later on. From empirical experience, this strategy rarely works because often the experience in the LLM’s home country is very different from the kind of experience that specialist arbitration firms require, so that experience will not be counted.