Agnes Pacheco chose to earn an LL.M. at Vanderbilt to achieve two goals: Expand her knowledge of international intellectual property law and learn about the American legal system. Agnes earned a law degree in Manila, Philippines, in 2016 after working as a paralegal for a team of intellectual property lawyers sparked her interest in a career as an attorney. “I earned my degree in international relations, but the first job I landed was as a paralegal for IP practitioners and realized I wanted to practice intellectual property law,” she said.
She practiced law and worked in government service in the Philippines for more than five years before applying to LL.M. programs. Vanderbilt’s high ranking, renowned faculty, and strong Intellectual Property Program, headed by international copyright expert Daniel Gervais, were the key reasons she decided to come to Vanderbilt. “I wanted to augment and broaden my knowledge of law by immersing myself in classes taught by top professors, and the faculty at Vanderbilt are truly top-notch. They’re brilliant and inspirational and among the best in their respective fields, and they work hard to support students in achieving their career goals,” she said.
Studying in the same classes with J.D. students was another important advantage. “Vanderbilt has a welcoming atmosphere, and I made lifelong friendships with students in my LL.M. class and J.D. students,” she said.
She found Vanderbilt challenging and her LL.M. classmates inspiring. “The LL.M. program allows you to connect with likeminded individuals who braved getting out of their comfort zones to study in a foreign country, and it was wonderful to be surrounded by students who were eager to learn,” she said.
She gained a solid grounding in U.S. intellectual property law through her Intellectual Property Survey class taught by Professor Joseph Fishman, an expert in copyright law. “Professor Fishman is a brilliant teacher, and he asks questions that make you think outside the box. I learned things I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” she said.
Agnes also took advantage of the lectures and short courses offered at VLS throughout both semesters. “Every week there are interesting talks and seminars that enhance the learning experience for students,” she said.
To broaden her horizons, she took a short course in Outer Space Law. “I am a space and astronomy enthusiast, but I did not know this field of practice existed until I saw the short course offering. Professor (Steve) Mirmina was one of the coolest professors I met at Vanderbilt. Attending his class inspired me so much that I realized the old cliché that ‘It’s never too late to follow your dreams’ still rings true at this point in my career. It was a good example of the unique, yet significant courses that Vanderbilt offers to help students build a niche practice,” she said.
Agnes’ studies at Vanderbilt helped her think about the differences and similarities between Philippine and U.S. law. “Procedural laws in the U.S. are very different, since the U.S. has a federal system of government, but I also saw a lot of similarities because the Philippines is a former U.S. territory, so our system is a mix of common and civil law,” she said.
Agnes was a student worker throughout her year at Vanderbilt, and she found both the LL.M. program staff and her co-workers at Vanderbilt kind and helpful. “No question or request is too small or too big for the LL.M. Admissions office and the staff in the university’s International Student and Scholar Services office, and the Campus Dining employees were really supportive,” she said.
She found Nashville a safe and pleasant place to live. “The weather is never too extreme in Nashville, and the people I met here are kind and polite. There are fun places to go for live music, and there’s an artsy/foodie scene. You’re surrounded by parks like Percy Warner Park and Radnor Lake where you can access the outdoors—and Nashville is only a few hours’ drive from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park,” she said.
Agnes plans to take the New York bar exam and hopes to gain work experience in the U.S. before returning to Manila to practice international intellectual property law.