Vanderbilt’s 2026 LL.M. Distinguished Speaker Series featured Roberto Cantú-Dessommes LLM’10, Leopoldo Sarria LLM’09, and Max Weber LLM’16. The speakers offered personal and candid reflections on building a legal career after earning their LL.M. degree at Vanderbilt. The discussion ranged from their experiences in international practice to distinguishing themselves in an increasingly competitive market. Drawing on experience across the United States, Latin America, and Europe, they emphasized that while legal expertise is essential, long-term success depends just as much on adaptability and genuine relationships.
The LL.M. network is a lasting professional asset
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the enduring value of the LL.M. network. Weber put it plainly: “One of the biggest takeaways from my time at Vanderbilt is how important a network is in life.” He reflected that shared educational experience creates an immediate bond, whether through study in the United States, attending a top law school, or simply sharing Vanderbilt as common ground.
“Networking is the key,” added Sarria. For him, the Vanderbilt experience was never just about academics. It was equally about the professional and personal relationships built during the program and time spent at Vanderbilt. As he noted, “If you just go to class and do your homework without actually networking, you don’t do anything actually.” This emphasis on connection also extended beyond the classroom. Sarria further described how professional opportunities often emerge from relationships built over time, through classmates, colleagues, alumni, or targeted outreach.
The LL.M. program teaches students to move between legal systems
Another major theme was the practical value of learning to work across civil law and common law systems. For all three alumni, the Vanderbilt LL.M. program fundamentally expanded their ability to operate in transnational legal environments.
Cantú-Dessommes explained that understanding common law after initially practicing in a single legal system became indispensable in his work. He said clients especially value his ability to “translate from one system to the other and explain in their terms what’s going on when we’re working on cross-border deals.”
Sarria similarly stressed that this ability is essential, particularly in arbitration. “This change between civil law and common law is very important in the practice,” he said. “It is a must that you can switch from the common law system to the civil law system.” In his work involving Venezuela-related disputes, he described how often lawyers must explain civil law issues to arbitrators trained in common law traditions.
Together, their comments suggested that the LL.M. trains lawyers to become translators across legal cultures, which is especially valuable in cross-border transactions and international disputes.
Adapting to different professional cultures
The alumni also emphasized how expectations vary across different jurisdictions. One of the most important lessons Cantú-Dessommes learned from studying in the U.S. was understanding the expectations of American clients and law firms, particularly around responsiveness. He observed that clients in other countries increasingly expect the same level of involvement that they see from major U.S. firms.
Weber offered a memorable formulation of the civil law versus common law mindset from his experience in a U.K. firm: “we will find a problem for every solution.” Lawyers trained in different systems often approach complexity differently. Vanderbilt helped him in this regard by putting him on the spot in class, with the expectation to produce “a proper solution of a problem in front of you.” Nearly a decade later, he said that remains one of the most useful parts of his training in daily practice.
How to create job opportunities through specialization
The panel also gave students a realistic but encouraging perspective on the job search, especially in the U.S. market. Cantú-Dessommes noted how, rather than relying exclusively on formal job applications, he identified individuals in specific practice groups and sent them dozens of cold emails. “I sent at least 45 targeted emails,” he recalled. “I got 40 or 39 (polite responses). But I did get six or seven interested responses.” From those conversations came “two or three actual opportunities.”
He advised students to pair persistence with a clear professional identity. “You have to be able to explain why you are different, what experience you bring to the table, and what’s your specialization,” he said.
For Cantú-Dessommes, that specialization was construction law and major projects. He could tell firms that he brought international experience along with a deep knowledge of construction, EPC agreements, construction financing, and project finance. That specific expertise made him more valuable than a more general candidate.
The LL.M. is a transformative experience
Across the panel, the alumni painted a picture of the LL.M. as a platform for long-term professional transformation. For some, it created pathways into the U.S. market. For others, it enabled them to excel in Mexico, Venezuela, Germany, or the U.K. In every case, though, as the discussion made clear, legal careers today increasingly belong to those who can cross borders, connect systems, demonstrate differentiation, and build relationships that last.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Roberto, Leopoldo, and Max for sharing their experience and expertise with the next generation of Vanderbilt LL.M.s,” said Kelly Bahiraei, Assistant Dean for Legal Studies. “As they discussed, building a network in law school is critical for success; our students benefit tremendously from Vanderbilt’s connected and active LL.M. alumni community.”