<p>I received a non-binding scholarship from my own country to study in the U.S. for a bachelor degree. This scholarship's term will be expanded only if I further my study in law school to get a J.D. Given my interest in law, I believe it is a good idea to go to law school under this circumstance. </p>
<p>However, since each country has different legal system, I'm afraid that a J.D. from law school here will be useless when I go back and work in my country. Are materials taught in law school relevant only to US legal system, or are they international and could be used to apply anywhere in the world? </p>
<p>I learned from reading this foum that law school does not have specialization. This is confusing. Is going to law school like going to liberal-arts college where you receive broad legal education but not specific skills to work in specific firms? Do law school graduates enter law firms not belonging to any specific department but learn to specialize later in their careers? </p>
<p>Then, is there anyway that I could tailor my J.D. curriculum in a way that it will allow me to work in my country. I heard about international law, but what is it all about? Is it for people aspiring to work in the UN or international organizations? What's the salary at the U.N. like?</p>
<p>I know a person with a J.D. from yale who works in my country. He works as a general counsel and he said that he knows very little about my country's legal system. Therefore, I thought that a J.D. is a truly international degree like M.B.A., not limited to the U.S. But then some people told me that I have to really understand my country's legal system if I want to work there?</p>
<p>A lot of the learning about the specifics of a legal system are done post-degree anyways. I'm sure having an American law background won't be as helpful as having a Thai background in learning the Thai legal system--but law school does not a lawyer make.</p>
<p>Well, going to an American law school means mostly studying American law. After all, the law schools need to prepare their students to practice law in the USA (and their state). I'm not sure if any of the law schools even offer a series of courses in Thai law. </p>
<p>As for international law, I've heard it's more international business law and less international law as in UN tribunals and International Court of Justice type stuff. To work in the UN, neither a law degree nor a specialization in international law is required (although it could help). You'd probably only need a law degree if you want to work in the ICC, ICJ, etc. For more information about UN salaries, go here:</p>
<p>I am unfamiliar with the Thai legal system. In the USA, you have to pass a bar exam in order to be allowed to practice in the USA. Perhaps going to a Thai law school will better prepare you to practice law in Thailand or may be a necessity to even be allowed to practice law there. However, many foreign students who already have law degrees from their home country may try to get a LL.M degree from an American law school. </p>
<p>You can apply the legal skills you obtain in an American law school to your practice in Thailand, but only a small portion of the actual law you will study might relate to practicing law in Thailand. Thailand's legal system is mostly (but not all) based on civil law. This means if you want to know whether or not something is legal in Thailand, you will have to know Thailand's law and not American law. Three years is a long time to devote to something that may not have any practical application to you in Thailand.</p>