On May 24th, Joel Griffiths (KU ’10, ’11, ’12) graduated from New York University School of Law with an LL.M. in Taxation. Griffiths is the second Weigand Alumnus to earn an LL.M. from NYU, joining Eric Pauly (Washburn ’06, ’07, ’08) who earned his LL.M. in 2009. NYU is widely regarded as the top graduate tax program in the country, and has been ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report since 1992, the year the rankings began.
“I am proud to be the second Weigand alum to earn a Tax LL.M.,” said Griffiths.
Griffiths and Pauly are part of select group of attorneys in Kansas with a Tax LL.M. Griffiths knew for some time that he wanted to get the advanced degree, but settled on NYU for two reasons.
“First, is the reputation of the university. Second, I chose NYU for the fact that it is in a cultural center of the world,” Griffiths said.
Despite having spent the last year away from his home state, Griffiths sought the degree so that he could be of more service to Kansas clients. And after completing all of the coursework, he’s convinced that he was right.
“I have been around some of the brightest minds in tax, and have had the opportunity to pick their brains on tax issues. The professors here have done a great job of making us think like tax lawyers, and I feel that will help me no matter how long I practice,” Griffiths said. “It will also help me to have the respect people coming out of the program receive. My name is now followed by six magical letters – NYU LL.M.”
In the three years since he earned his LL.M. and returned to practice in Wichita, Pauly has found that the additional education and degree have had an impact on his career.
“It provided a broad background in tax and has tremendously helped me provide advice to clients. As a young lawyer, the LL.M. also helped build credibility both with colleagues and clients,” Pauly said. “Like many other Weigands, I think Joel and I have prepared ourselves the best we could to come back to serve fellow Kansans.”
In addition to the value of the degree for his career, Griffiths is thankful for the opportunity to spend a year living in New York City.
“I had lived my entire life in Kansas, and after accepting the Weigand Scholarship I knew I would remain there to work. However, I felt to truly have ‘world view’ of life, I needed to experience some different things. New York City has helped me develop this world perspective,” Griffiths said.
Griffiths noted that while Pauly was able to give him insight into certain professors and classes, it was another member of the extended Weigand Family, Pauly’s wife Terra, who provided him with the truly useful advice.
“Terra helped even more by telling me how much fun she had while living out here and giving me suggestions on places to visit and things to do,” Griffiths said.
Griffiths is moving back to Kansas this summer and will join Pauly in the Wichita office of Foulston Siefkin LLP.