JD/MBA a good idea?

I can't offer much advice, but I do know that a JD/MBA might not be that useful for banking. However, coming with an engineering degree coupled with an MBA is a very powerful combination and can offer you a lot of possibilities. In addition, I know patent law is equally powerful as my cousin's friend did an engineering undergrad then law school then went into patent law. I guess you have to consider what you like and pursue. If I were you and were in this current crisis, I would pursue solely a law degree because right now an MBA isn't going to give you many offers and then when the economy shapes up you can pursue an MBA. Also, you don't need to get an MBA to break into investment banking I know one of the CEOs of a BB was a lawyer and had no MBA and there are plenty of engineers on Wall Street, just look at this board for instance. Anyway, that's my advice and God bless and thank you so much for defending this country. May God protect you and our troops.

JD/MBA is a GREAT combo... Not only in terms of having both knowledge bases, but also as a way of differentiating yourself from every other MBA out there....

My 2c.

JD/MBA would be great for career in financial restructuring.

I don't respond much to this board, but I thought I would for this thread. I believe that I answered this before (do a search) but will give an abbreviated answer again.

I thought long and hard about NU's JD/MBA and after my research I concluded that for a business career a top MBA only is the best option. Think about the extra cost (tuition at 180k+, opportunity cost of an extra year of no work and only one internship.) as well as the extra benefit (minimal in my opinion.)

A JD doesn't give you much in the way of specialized law knowledge, it is just the foundation and gatekeeper of the profession. To have business value as a lawyer, you need to have practiced law, and in the specialized function as applicable. Also, as a banker you will gain enough legal familiarity with experience, a JD by itself (w/out legal practice) wouldn't really enhance that very much if at all.

In my research I spoke with lawyers (M&A, IP, DOJ) and businessmen (PE) about this decision, and they all agreed that it was a waste of time. I don't intend to ever practice law, I currently work in PE and want to stay on the buy-side (PE or HF) in the future.

Bottom line: it seems that most in the JD/MBA programs are headed to law, rather than business. However, if you aren't worried about the extra costs, and really want the extra 2 letters on your card, then go for it. Founder of a PE fund said "we hire lawyers, don't need to be them"

Thank you for your service and good luck in Iraq.

Thanks so much for the great answer. You along with some others I have talked to seem to agree. Thanks.

I was thinking of a similar path but am also not sure about the value of the JD. I mean, I love an intellectual challenge, and I always wanted to go to law school, but it doesn't seem to make sense from a cost/benefit basis.

Any other view points?

My understanding is that a JD/MBA is more geared towards lawyers who want a business background. Like for people who want to go into big corporate law as they have better understanding of their clients and the effect of litigation that they undertake. Some firm even pay a 20K bonus if you have a JD/MBA.

http://www.paulhastings.com/careers_attorneys_FAQs.aspx