Legal Question in Intellectual Property in New York

Re: Choosing a Law School for IP Law

I went to Cardozo, several friends went to Fordham... there really was no difference on average as to what jobs who got... IP is a phenomenal program at Cardozo... overall, the school has had amazing amounts of money put into it and seems to be going upward in rankings, although its highly ranked already

furthermore, speaking from experience... there is little to no difference in what school you go to - it really is all the same...

much luck - id take the 90k and run - knowing i would owe that much less...

the majority of landing the big job after law school is completely up to your own networking and your own capabilities, dont fall into the trap and come out of school owing more than you have to - the way i see it $1.00 in school debt is one too many...

feel free to write and ask anything else youd like...

Re: Choosing a Law School for IP Law

As one of the former senior editors of the Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal, of course I'd urge you to attend Fordham!

The Fordham professors in IP are superb. However, that's not to say that Cardozo isn't a very good law school, or that you won't do very well there.

Law school is about more than just rankings, journals or starting salary. You have to consider where you want to be when you get out of school, and how much debt you want to have when you start to practice.

Consider all the factors - and at the end, either way, you'll have made a good decision.

Regards,

David Browde

Fordham Law Class of 2000

Re: Choosing a Law School for IP Law

I have colleagues who graduated from both schools and you can't go wrong at either. While Fordham may be "ranked higher" I think Cardozo is a fine school for IP, has a solid curriculum and speaker program. It's in Greenwich Village and a residential area. Fordham is uptown and borders Lincoln Center. They also have good programs and I'm not surprised that as between Fordham and Cardozo, Fordham may appear a bit more elite. While a first-time job out of law school is important, it pales over the years as you gain experience. The difference in salaries may be a reality but I think neither the respective reputations or salary differentials (if true) are such that either should be a primary consideration. You'll get a solid education at either school. If it were me, I'd be drawn to the $90k scholarship and Greenwich Village location. The latter is a few blocks from NYU so you're in a funkier, more student-friendly part of town. The former will enable you to have a 3-year sojourn without worrying about having to work through school, pay the bills and be weighted down without post-graduate loan repayments, if applicable. Good luck.

Re: Choosing a Law School for IP Law

The answers you've gotten so far a both excellent. I should state that I'm a graduate of Cardozo.

From a practical point of view, you may want to do a financial comparrison of the difference in earnings between the two schools while factoring in the $90k ride Cardozo is offering. In other words, if you borrow $90k on graduation day (or whenever your differment ends after ending school) what is the cost of that loan going forward and is it more or less than the projected difference in pay between the 2 schools? Just a basic business analysis approach to what is, otherwise, more of an emotional decision.

Either way, best of luck!

Re: Choosing a Law School for IP Law

Speaking as one who is repaying student loans, GO FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP.

Cardozo is a fine law school. Fordham is also a fine law school. Cardozo has offered you admission plus PILES of money. With a $90K scholarship, you'll have basically living expenses as student-loan fodder. In NYC, properly done, you can live for probably $650/month (get roommates). Fordham has offered you admission. You'll still have the same living expenses, plus Fordham tuition/books in student loans to pay off once you're through.

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